Wheelchair Sports Federation | Adaptive Sports Organization

2019 USA Hockey Sled Hockey National Championship

Written by Bill Hannigan
Congratulations to the Chicago Black Hawks Sled Hockey Team on winning the 2019 USA Hockey National Championship in Wesley Chapel, FL on April 7, 2019 by defeating the Gaylord Wolfpack by a score of 6 to 2. We also want to highlight the Tampa Bay Lightning Sled Hockey Team who only 3 years ago competed in their first National Championship in San Jose TX and recorded zero goals. This year, they won their 2nd National Championship for Tier IV. Again, congratulations to all the Adaptive Athletes, family members, sponsors and especially USA Hockey for all their hard work and dedication. https://www.usahockey.com/page/show/4932531-sled-hockey-adult- https://www.usahockey.com/2019disabledfestival
Last Updated on Saturday, 20 April 2019 22:29

Wheelchair Basketball Clinic could open door for new sport at College of Staten Island

Written by Administrator

Staten Island Advance - By Nick Regina | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Posted April 05, 2019 at 11:00 AM | Updated April 05, 2019

Plenty of Participants

Ryan Martin is a National Wheelchair Basketball Association All-Star for the New York Rollin' Knicks, and on Thursday he was promoting and teaching the sport to a gym full of 76 participants at the College of Staten Island.

Martin, who was born with spina bifida, a rare birth defect that resulted in the amputation of both of his legs at just two years old, preached pointers on passing, ball handling, and shooting before the participants strapped themselves into their own chairs and took their best shots in wheelchair basketball scrimmage games.

Staten Island Advance

Promote the Game

CUNY Athletics linked up with the NWBA and the Ryan Martin Foundation to organize the event in an effort to promote CUNY's growing Inclusive and Adaptive Sports Program.

The event was open to all CSI students and faculty, who were gifted with t-shirts and snacks, as well as a fun-filled afternoon rolling up and down the court -- which is far more difficult than it looks.

Staten Island Advance

Inclusivity

"I think the goal is to have inclusivity and offer diverse programs," said Martin. "There's a lot of individuals with disabilities and not many programs geared towards them.

"It's important we become more inclusive and do more to support their efforts as students," added Martin. "I've been working with CUNY to facilitate a full out wheelchair basketball program in the future, I think it's a great step toward creating programming for all students regardless of whether or not they are disabled in order to be more diverse and eliminate stereotypes to develop a welcome environment for all."

Staten Island Advance

What About Other Students?

CUNYAC Executive Director Zak Ivkovic was on hand and served as the event's MC on the sidelines.

"I think we can't continue to look at athletics so narrowly," explained Ivkovic. "We focus on student-athletes, but what about the other students? There's 9,000 students in the CUNY system with disabilities and we're looking for ways to engage them."

Staten Island Advance

Rollin' Dolphins?

The goal is for CSI to hopefully field its own wheelchair basketball team down the road, which would make the school just the 15th college program in the country to do so.

Martin led Southwest Minnesota State University to the NWBA title game while attending the school in 2001.

"With Ryan's support, we're hopeful to have a club team next year," said Ivkovic. "People are shocked by how difficult it is, it gives a lot of appreciation to those who are living it every single day.

Staten Island Advance

Putting it Together

CSI Commissioner for Disabled Students and Veterans Affairs Samantha Wong along with Deputy Commissioner Lucia Rossi spent an entire semester putting the event together specifically to align with CUNY's Disability Awareness Month, which kicked off on Monday.

"We definitely want to spread awareness," said Wong. "It was a great experience and it's good to bring awareness to students and build student spirit. Many assume you have to have a disability to play, but it's open to all students."

Jr NBA Skills Challenge in NYC - Wheelchair Basketball

Written by John Hamre

On Saturday February 23rd, 2019, the Wheelchair Sports Federation hosted a Jr NBA Skills Challenge at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale NY. With the help of their Sports Management Club and the players from the Brooklyn Nets and Nassau Kings Wheelchair Basketball Teams, the juniors from the NY Fury competed against the clock to see who would have the highest score. While being timed for one minute, the players had to dribble through cones and then make shots at designated spots for points.

For the Under 11 years old category - Max Wong won with a total of 12 points.

For the Under 13 years old category - Sebastian Milan won with a total of 5 points

Congratulations to the winners and the other 5 who came out to compete and play. They also had time to show the college students how to play with a little exhibition. Next up for the winners is seeing if they qualify to compete in the National Championship Jr NBA Skills Challenge in NYC in July 2019. Good luck to the NY Fury Wheelchair Basketball Team who will be competing in Chicago IL in March 2019 for the Junior Wheelchair Basketball National Championships too.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 February 2019 21:08

NY Warriors Quad Rugby Tournament

Written by John Hamre

The New York Warriors Quad Rugby team hosted a tournament at Stony Brook University on January 19-20, 2019. Competing in the tournament were the Northern Virginia Mutiny, the Magee Eagles (Philadelphia), and the Connecticut Jammers. The Eagles took 3rd place, while the Mutiny defeated the host NY Warriors in the 1st place game. Winning awards for the weekend was MVP Armand Brunelle and mid-pointer George Casares from the NY Warriors.

Last Updated on Friday, 01 February 2019 16:11

11th Annual Wheelchair Football Championship

Written by John Hamre

At the 11th Annual Wheelchair Football Game between the NY Jets and NY Giants at Diamond in the Pines in Brookhaven, NY, the NY Giants were victorious in Overtime by a score of 6 to 0 on Saturday November 17, 2018. Thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers including the Wheelchair Sports Federation, New York Giants, New York Jets, All American Deli, the Town of Brookhaven NY and Edwin Lopez for making this event possible.