James Gumbert, right, has been head coach of the USA wheelchair rugby team for the last 13 years ©James Gumbert

The Lakeshore Foundation, the high performance management organisation for United States Wheelchair Rugby, have announced that James Gumbert will remain as head coach of the national team in 2018.

Gumbert, who has been the head coach of the team for the last 13 years, will be joined by Sue Tucker, who will enter her sixth year as assistant coach.

The US wheelchair rugby season starts with the national team selection camp, which takes place from today until January 7 at Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama.

Thirty-three athletes have been selected for the camp, including Chuck Aoki, Earl Bowser, Clayton Brackett and Clayton Braun.

Sue Tucker will continue her role as assistant coach for the United States wheelchair rugby team ©djcoilrugby
Sue Tucker will continue her role as assistant coach for the United States wheelchair rugby team ©djcoilrugby

Invites had initially been sent to 35 athletes, but three of them were rescinded due to their legal status within the United States Quad Rugby Association.

At the end of the selection camp, 16 of the 33 athletes will be named in the final squad to compete at the 2018 International Wheelchair Rugby Federation World Championships in August, which take place in Sydney, Australia.

The tournament gives teams the chance to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

The US won the silver medal at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

At the Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 Paralympics, the country won gold.