Wheelchair Sports Federation | Adaptive Sports Organization

24th Annual Al Youakim Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Written by John Hamre

The 24th Annual Al Youakim Wheelchair Basketball Tournament had 6 teams participating on Saturday October 27, 2018 and Sunday October 28, 2018 at the Hackensack (NJ) Middle School. They placed:

Division 2 - 1st Place - Nassau Kings

Division 2 - 2nd Place - Celtics

Division 3 - 1st Place – Brooklyn Nets

Division 3 - 2nd Place – New England Blazers

AXIS and Bulova Nets also played.

Individual Awards went to the following:

Guard Division 2 Al Youakim All-Star –Alex Gomez – Nassau Kings

Foward Division 2 Al Youakim All-Star – Derrick Poole – Celtics

Power Forward Division 2 Al Youakim All-Star – William Borrero – Celtics

Guard Division 3 Al Youakim All-Star – Mark James – Bulova Nets

Forward Division 3 Al Youakim All-Star - Dan Keohane - New England Blazers

Power Forward Division 3 Al Youakim All-Star – Felix Castillo – Brooklyn Nets

Mike Lione Award (D2 MVP) - Christopher St. Remy - Nassau Kings

Denton Johnson Trailblazer Award (D3 MVP) - Chris Johnson - New England Blazers

Freddy Jones Sportsmanship Award – Quinn Murphy – Nassau Kings

Al Youakim Spirit Award – Rizza St. Louis

Congratulations on another great Tournament and the Wheelchair Sports Federation would like to thank our wonderful volunteers, Bill Youakim, Chris Youakim and Rizza St Louis. We'll see you next November 2019 for the 25th Anniversary.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 October 2018 16:15

Tennis is for Everyone - Awareness and Fundraiser in NJ

Written by John Hamre

The inaugural Tennis is for Everyone awareness event was held on Saturday October 6, 2018 from 11 am to 1 pm in Oakland NJ. Event organizer, Andrew Swanson and his family, spearheaded the event with local wheelchair tennis players doing an exhibition and having able-body players try out the Adaptive Sport of Wheelchair Tennis.

In attendance were volunteers from the Indian Trail Club, Bevinn Romaine, President and Tennis Directors Laurent Lafontant and Lucy Moure. A great speech was also given by Jim Stroker, a motivational speaker who is a retired basketball coach and father of the first wheelchair actress on Broadway (Ali Stroker).

Thanks to all who came out to NJ and to Andrew Swanson and his family for their hard work and support of Wheelchair Tennis.

18th Annual Major League Wheelchair Softball Tournament (NY)

Written by John Hamre

The 18th Annual Major League Wheelchair Softball Tournament took place at Bald Head Field in Brookhaven NY on Saturday September 22nd 2018. 3 Wheelchair Softball Teams sponsored by Major League Baseball franchises competed. The New England Rolling Red Sox, New York Mets and New York Yankees fought for the coveted "Kelly Cup", named after Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association and United Spinal Association’s' former Executive Director, Jerry Kelly.

After playing a round robin bracket, the New York Yankees beat the New England Rolling Red Sox - 4 to 3 to win the 18th Annual Major League Wheelchair Softball Tournament.

On behalf of the players, coaches and Wheelchair Sports Federation, we'd like to thank the NYC Parks Department, All-American Deli, Bussani Mobility, NY Mets, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Major League Baseball, the Town of Brookhaven, especially Tom Brasuell and Curtis Pride for their continued support from MLB. Without their help, we could not have a premiere Wheelchair Softball Tournament in the Northeast and one of the better events for Adaptive Sports in the United States

2018 Final Results:

1st Place – New York Yankees

2nd Place – New England Rolling Red Sox

3rd Place - New York Mets

We look forward to being back at Citi Field in September 2019.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 October 2018 17:46

Hofstra University Women's Wheelchair Softball Game

Written by John Hamre

The Women's Softball Team from Hofstra University came to the Bald Head Field in Brookhaven NY to learn about the Adaptive Sport of Wheelchair Softball and play a game against the local team on Sunday September 23, 2018. A great day and good fun was had by all.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 October 2018 17:50

NY Yankees Wheelchair Softball Team On-Field in the Bronx NY

Written by John Hamre

11 Members of the Wheelchair Sports Federation Yankees Wheelchair Softball Team were honored by the NY Yankees on Tuesday August 14, 2018 before their game. Just like the professionals, the WSF Yankees Wheelchair Softball Team were individually introduced to the crowd before thousands of cheering fans. As always, we would like to thank the NY Yankees for their outstanding support over the years and we look forward to this event each year.