Formed in early spring 2006, the Raleigh Sidewinders Quad Rugby Team is Eastern North Carolina's only wheelchair rugby organization.

Inspired by the release of the academy award nominated documentary MURDERBALL and following the success of a local quad rugby clinic sponsored and provided by the North Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association, area athletes and their supporters held Raleigh's first quad rugby practice at the Chavis Community Center on March 24, 2006. 

Since that time, the Raleigh Sidewinders Quad Rugby team has partnered with the Triangle area's very own, Raleigh Rugby Club.  Thanks to the support of members of the Raleigh Vipers and Venom as well as a solid working relationship with the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation and the WakeMed Foundation, the Sidewinders continue to develop and grow in size.

2008-2009 Competition/Travel Schedule & Results

The 2008-2009 Season Will Begin In October.  Check back for additional schedule information.

Sidewinders in the Raleigh News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer!

New Raleigh team wins in clanging game

Karen Cimino, The Charlotte Observer

Matt Crisp of Charlotte slammed his wheelchair into a red-shirted rival from Raleigh, blocking a goal in a demonstration game of wheelchair rugby Friday at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

The Carolina Crash, based in Charlotte, and the Raleigh Sidewinders clashed in a demonstration of how people with physical limitations can still participate in rigorous sports. Raleigh won the game 26-22.

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Raleigh Sidewinders featured in the October 15, 2006 Sunday edition of the Raleigh News and Observer!!!

No pity

The tough world of quadriplegic rugby

G.D. Gearino, Staff Writer RALEIGH

It's a perfectly reasonable desire, but it feels shameful to say it out loud. But since we're all thinking the same thing anyway, you might as well give voice to it: "I don't ever want to end up like that."

Hey, nobody does, bucko. It's everybody's nightmare. The guys who did end up like that -- the six men in custom-built wheelchairs who spend every Friday night at a local community center banging the hell out of each other -- had the same nightmare. They understand your secret fear.

They also know that people get real weird around them. Some people pretend not to even see a wheelchair, as if to acknowledge it could suddenly cause its occupant to realize, "Whoa! I can't walk. When did this happen?" Others overcompensate in the other direction, becoming elaborately courteous and concerned for the poor, poor wretch who had that Horrible Thing happen.

So ask yourself this question: Which one are you?

Whichever is the case, you're going to have a hard time with quadriplegic rugby. It's impossible to look away, largely thanks to its train-wreck appeal. Besides, if you're at a match, you are by definition there to stare at the handicapped people. Those guys in the wheelchairs want your attention. So that'll help if you're a look-away type. You'll probably adjust pretty easily.

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