PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A new sports team aims to help military veterans and wheelchair-bound individuals in St. Petersburg by playing rugby.
- Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch hosts wheelchair rugby games
- "it's not just a sport, it's also a family," player Chris Hull says
- Many of the participants are paraplegics and military veterans
“It is still full-contact, chair-to-chair, kill the man with the ball,” rugby player Chris Hull says. “It’s my life. It’s become my life.”
Hull is part of the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch in Pinellas Park.
What every player has in common is that they're paraplegics. Many are military veterans.
“It’s not just a sport, it’s also a family,” Hull says.
The team is hoping to recruit more veterans in the area and also raise a fanbase to keep the sport going.
“This is one of the few contact sports that you can play in a wheelchair, so they leave it all on the court,” says WWAR CEO Mike Delancey, himself a veteran.
Hull now works to inspire other injured veterans to get out and compete.
“Enjoy your sport, enjoy your life, and just keep on moving,” Hull says.
For more information on Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch, you can visit the group's website or Facebook page.