A fundraiser for the Connecticut Jammers Wheelchair Rugby Team will be held at 7:30 PM on March 22 at Christy’s Pub in New Haven. The benefit is part of the Christy’s Awards Night honoring Robert Chester, founder of The New Haven Old Black Rugby Club.
Wheelchair rugby or quad rugby is a competitive contact sport played in gymnasiums mostly by quadriplegics and amputees in teams of four. The Jammers use specialized wheelchairs with slanted wheels resembling ancient battle shields required for this rough & tumble sport. Playing 15 games each season, they compete against teams in the northeast and throughout the country.
The Jammers’ sponsor is the Sports Association of Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford where they were founded nearly 20 years ago. The association manages the team and provides most of the funding for their travel and equipment costs through the hospital with additional funds provided by donations.
Recipients of the Christy’s Award may designate a “charity for the night”. Chester chose the Jammers because of his passion for the sport. People attending the event will be asked to make a donation of any amount and all proceeds will benefit the team.
Chester began his rugby career at Southern CT State University. After graduating in 1984, he started the Old Black club with some of his college teammates. During relocation to Buffalo, NY, he coached the Buffalo State University rugby team and was a player/coach of the Buffalo Rugby Club. He is a district sales manager with IKON Office Solutions and lives in Wallingford with his wife Lisa and their three daughters.
Tax deductible contributions may be made at any time at Christy’s, 261 Orange Street, New Haven or mailed to Sports Association (Jammers), Gaylord Hospital, P.O. Box 400, Wallingford, CT 06492.
For further information, call Mike McCann, 203-787-7997