By Butler Cain, Alabama Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wual/local-wual-498043.mp3
Birmingham, AL – Quad Rugby is the nice name for it. "Murderball" is what the players call it, and that's also the name of the documentary that has been nominated for an Oscar. The movie tracks the U-S wheelchair rugby team, which plays a full-contact sport. Kevin Orr, who works at the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, is the coach of Team U-S-A. He's also featured in the documentary. Part of it was filmed in Birmingham.
Alabama Public Radio's Butler Cain produced a report featuring the Lakeshore Demolition, the foundation's Quad Rugby team, a few years ago. Here's the original lead:
The sport of rugby has a nearly 200 year tradition. Players may kick, carry or pass the ball to get it across the goal line, and tackling is permitted. It can be a rough game -- especially if wheelchairs are involved. Also called "Murderball," wheelchair rugby is quick and physically demanding. Alabama Public Radio's Butler Cain takes us to Birmingham for practice with one of the sport's elite teams.