Photograph by Trevor Robb
Mike McMullen. who will be playing 3rd for Cliff Nuspl's Host Team at the 2011 Nationals in Edmonton March 20-27, is profiled in the WestEdmontonLocal.
Injured in fall 26 years ago, McMullen took up sports about ten years after his injury, first playing rugby and then curling.
“It keeps you active, keeps you motivated, gets you out in the public,” McMullen said.
There's one topic that he and Calgary's Jack Smart agree: the insistence that teams be of mixed gender is hindering the devlopment of the sport. "“It’s not holding the sport back in any way due to their skill levels, just there’s not a lot of them out there,” he maintains.
You can read the full profile HERE.
Cathy Craig, the Host Team coach and manager of Jasper Place CC where the Nationals will take place, has agreed her team can live at home during the Championship.
“What people don’t understand about wheelchair athletes when they travel is it’s hard work. It’s a challenge getting in and out of bed and going to the bathroom and getting out of the tub because most hotel rooms aren’t well equipped,” said Craig.
“Our team has chosen to stay home. By the end of the week when everyone else is tired because all their daily tasks are just so difficult, we should still be rested,” said Craig. “I just think it’s a huge advantage for us.”
Do you agree?
