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Registration For The Summer-Fall Season
Photo of Griffin Lynch at kayaking
GET EXCITED EVERYONE! The fall season is upon us and that means the start of our fall programs! Since everyone had such a great season last year, we are thrilled to say that we have extended both the kayaking and cycling seasons. Program dates for each sport are listed on the Arizona Disabled Sports website. AzDS is proud to say that we have another surprise for those of you who would like to do away with registration paperwork. This fall season, we will be opening ONLINE REGISTRATION for the programs through Active.com. Online registration is available at program registration. Athletes or parents are more than welcome to fill out registrations online but please note there is a small convenience charge from active.com. Be sure to print the Program Schedule from the web site to note start dates and times of each program offered this coming season.
Coaches Meeting
AzDS will be holding the fall coaches meeting on Wednesday, August 4th at 4:30pm at the Broadway Recreation Center. We will be discussing facilities, locations, practice schedules, tournaments and other plans for all of the fall sports. Coaches, please save the date in your calendars. If you as a parent or athlete are interested in attending the coaches meeting to learn more about AzDS programs and upcoming events, contact Elena Messenger at 480.835.6273 or elena@mesadisabledsports.com.
2009-2010 Season Wrap-Up
Photo of power soccer athletes
AzDS is proud to say that we have had an incredible showing at National tournaments and meets across the country. Both Division I & II Power Soccer teams qualified
for and traveled to the USPSA National Tournament this year hosted in Indianapolis, IN. The Arizona Heat track team took six athletes to the US National Championships
in Mirimar, FL and cleaned up including a new American record set by Erik Hightower in the 100M. AzDS is also excited to send five athletes to the National
Junior Disability Championships in Chicago, IL this month.
More details on each trip and tournament can be found on our new blog for Arizona Disabled Sports. Link to www.ArizonaDisabledSports.blogspot.com for the full story.
2009-2010 End of Season Awards Celebration
Photo of Award Winners
Nearly 230 athletes and family members joined AzDS to celebrate the successful seasons at the 2009-2010 End of Season Awards Celebration. AzDS presented the following awards:
Coach of the Year - Denise Wolf-Simmons
Volunteer of the Year - Nadine Del Favero
Volunteer Group of the Year - Special Olympics Golf Coaches
Community Facility of the Year - AMF Mesa Lanes
Internal Facility of the Year - Red Mountain High School
2010 Desert Challenge Games
Photo of Power Player Award winner - David Ryberg
More than 120 athletes from across the nation, Canada and Bermuda gathered in Mesa from May 19-23 for the 2010 Desert Challenge Games.
The weekend included competitions in archery, field, track, swimming and weightlifting. Individuals were also able to obtain international classification at the event in Mesa which is only one of two locations
in the U.S. to provide the opportunity. The US Olympic Committee hosted a military camp for Wounded Warriors the week prior to the games and then 25 Wounded Warriors
competed in the Desert Challenge Games. Many awards were given out to the amazing athletes including the 2010 Power Player Award presented by Grand Canyon State Games to David Ryberg. More information at www.DesertChallengeGames.com.
17th Annual Fall Fundraiser
Arizona Disabled Sports is hosting the 17th Annual Fall Fundraiser at the Mesa Convention Center on Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 starting at 5:00pm. The event includes a silent and live auctions, dinner and music. AzDS will present the Jay Coyner Award to the outstanding athlete with a physical disability and the Paula Rudow Award to the outstanding Special Olympics athlete.
Nominees for these two awards are decided upon based on the evaluations turned in by their peers and coaches at the conclusion of each season. You can help the fund-raiser by donating to the auction, purchasing a ticket to attend the event or recruiting a table sponsor. Auction items generally include gift cards for dining out, vacation stays, gift baskets, artwork and more.
More information on the Fall Fundraiser is available at Fall Fundraiser.
14th Annual Day on the Lake
Photo of DOL participant - Ricardo Renteria
Day on the Lake makes a big splash at Barlett Lake. Over the course of two days, June 4 and 5 2010, 118 participants with neurological disabilities participated in Barrow Neurological Institute's 14th annual Day on the Lake. The sports and recreation event allowed participants to water ski, jet ski, fish, kayak and take boat rides. Day on the Lake provides unique opportunities to the neurologically impaired who don't have many opportunities to experience these types of water sports. With the help of The Barrow Connection and a specialized team from California, participants can try their hand at water sports in a safe and encouraging environment. "Day on the Lake" provides access to recreation and allows people with disabilities to live an active life. For more information of events such as Day on the Lake, please contact Jo Crawford at The Barrow Connection at 602-406-6280.
Working 2 Walk Symposium
An exciting new conference is coming to Phoenix this year! Unite 2 Fight Paralysis is hosting the 5th annual Working 2 Walk Science & Advocacy Symposium on November 11-13, 2010 at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. The symposium will be full of cutting edge research and resources. Arizona Disabled Sports is partnering with Unite 2 Fight Paralysis to end the conference with a fun day full of adaptive sports and recreation. Speakers at the conference include Drs. Wise Young, Philip Horner, Stephen Davies & John McDonald, Ed Wirth and Frank Reynolds. For more information visit www.working2walk.org or unite@unite2fightparalysis.org.
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