(Photo by Ian Gustafson/ rdnewsNOW staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Red Deer Reapers

Wheelchair Rugby focuses on camaraderie and friendships at local tournament

Nov 23, 2024 | 1:46 PM

The Red Deer Reapers Wheelchair Rugby team hosted their first-ever multi-day tournament over the weekend.

From Friday through Sunday, the Reapers welcomed three Alberta-based teams to compete in the four-team Vesta Energy Wheelchair Rugby Tournament at the main gym at Red Deer Polytechnic.

On Saturday, head coach Gerald Kress said this was the first annual event and they hope to continue it into the future.

“We got some sponsorship from Vesta Energy and hopefully we keep getting funding from them and we can keep this going every year,” he said.

“We’ve had some one-day events in the past but this is the first three-day tournament.”

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The Calgary Inferno dressed two teams, followed by the Edmonton Steel Wheels and the Reapers.

The Reapers roster includes Brent Haase, Jeff Dow, Kim Payzant, Hailey Gillre, Kasey Aiello, Kurt Timmons, Michael Thorne, Seth Haase, and equipment manager Neal McLaughlin.

Red Deer resident Michael Thorne has been suiting up for the Reapers for just under three months and said so far he loves the sport.

Thorne, 53, lives in a longterm care facility in the community after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a year ago.

Because of that, he’ll live the rest of his life in a wheelchair but isn’t letting it hold him back from trying new things.

“I just wanted to get out and do something, open up a new door, and be a part of a team. I wanted to be a part of the excitement, the energy, and everything,” he said.

“It’s such a great opportunity. I’m meeting new people and learning new things so it’s great.”

He had first heard about the team through someone at the Spinal Cord Injury Alberta and plans to continue to compete for as long as he’s able to.

“My favourite part so far is banging into people at high speeds. It’s definitely a violent game,” he added. “Another added bonus is I’m creating new friendships.”

(Photo by Ian Gustafson/ rdnewsNOW)

Red Deer kicked the event off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday with matchup against the Inferno Black followed by the Steel Wheels and Inferno Red.

They resumed play on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. between the Reapers and Inferno Red where the Reapers came out on top 33-32.

Competition continued on Saturday afternoon with the Reapers facing off against the the Steel Wheels at 1:30 p.m. and the two Inferno squads played at 3 p.m.

On Sunday, the third-place team will play the fourth at 10 a.m. followed by first versus second at 11:30 a.m.

“We’ve been running a couple raffles and we’d like ot thank everyone who bought tickets. We raised a little bit of funds but these tournaments are expensive,” Kress added.

“We do need sponsorship and Wheelchair Rugby Canada pitched in with support from Wheelchair Sports Alberta, which is the only way we can hold these tournaments.”

The Reapers have been a team for nearly two years after forming in December of 2022. Since then he’s felt they’ve grown but more importantly they have a core group of players and staff that come out regularly.

“The wheelchair rugby community is very close knit and we’re all friends whether we’re on the same team or not.”