Classification Frequently Asked Questions

What if an athlete does not agree with his/her sport class?

Athletes have the right to challenge a decision taken by a classification panel, either of their own sport class or that of an opponent. If an athlete does not agree with his or her sport class decision, this is done through a protest procedure. To put in a protest, the athlete must obtain a Classification Protest Form from Classification Documents and submit the completed form and a $50 protest fee to the USWRA Head of Classification or to the Chief Classifier at a tournament where there will be a authorized classification panel. The protest fee is returned to the athlete if the protest is upheld and the sport class is changed. If the panel does not uphold the protest and the sport class decision is unchanged, the fee is not returned. Be sure and read the protest procedure instructions carefully, as the protest may not be accepted without a valid reason or if the form is not complete or not legible and the protest fee is not submitted.

What if an athlete or team does not agree with the sport class of an athlete on another team?

Athletes have the right to challenge a decision taken by a classification panel, either of their own sport class or that of an opponent. If an athlete does not agree with a sport class decision of an athlete on another team, this is done through a protest procedure.To put in a protest, the athlete must obtain a Classification Protest Form from Classification Documents and submit the completed form and a $50 protest fee to the USWRA Head of Classification or to the Chief Classifier at a tournament where there will be a authorized classification panel. The protest fee is returned to the athlete if the protest is upheld and the sport class is changed. If the panel does not uphold the protest and the sport class decision is unchanged, the fee is not returned. Be sure and read the protest procedure instructions carefully, as the protest may not be accepted without a valid reason or if the form is not complete or not legible and the protest fee is not submitted.

What if an athlete or coach thinks the classification panel made an error during the classification process?

If an athlete does not agree with a sport class decision, the procedure to follow is a protest. If the athlete feels that an error was made in the classification process, the procedure to follow is an appeal. An appeal is the filing of a complaint that the error during the Classification process resulted in an unfair decision. The appeal must be submitted to the USWRA Board for investigation and resolution.

What if there is a change in the athlete's degree of impairment or sport-specific activities and it is felt that the class is no longer consistent with the athlete's sport class?

If there is any change in the nature or degree of the athlete's impairment or activity limitation, either through medical intervention or other means, this falls under exceptional circumstances and the Athlete should submit a Medical Review Request form from Classification Documents to the USWRA Head of Classification. This form should be submittedalong with medical documentationfrom a medical doctor with the specific expertise related to the athlete’s health condition that explains the change in impairment. The Medical Review Request form and accompanying medical documentation must be submitted to the USWRA Head of Classification at least 1 month prior the competition where the athlete intends to compete and classification will take place. The documentation will then be reviewed by the USWRA Classification Committee to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support a change exists. The athlete will then undergo another evaluation by a panel at the next opportunity. The acceptance of the medical review request does not guarantee sufficient change has taken place to result in a change in the athlete's current sport class.

Where can I get a copy of the wheelchair rugby classification rules?

As of the 2017 AGM (annual general membership meeting), the USWRA Membership adopted the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) classification rules (for definitions of classes and most rules relating to the classification system) - located in Classification Documents.

The USWRA Classification Committee has a USA specific set of rules, regulations, policy and procedures that relate specifically to the USWRA and these are published in the USWRA Classification Manual - located in Classification Documents

I want to play rugby, do I need a classification card?

To be permitted to play wheelchair rugby, an individual must have completed an athlete evaluation, been allocated one of the seven sport classes and possess an official USWRA card.

Comment: Athletes from nations other than the USA, who have an international sport class allocated by the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF), and who are officially playing on a USWRA team, must possess an official IWRF card. Refer to the most recent USWRA rules on international athletes competing in the USWRA.