The Sports Association is dedicated to improving the lives of persons with physical disabilities through adaptive sports and recreation.

Dear Friends of the Sports Association,

As the end of winter approaches, the Sports Association continues to offer many exciting events! There are upcoming programs in Boccia, Archery, Kayaking, Golf, and our newest offering Seated Yoga classes. Join us for the next Kayak Class sessions in April to prepare for open water paddles this summer. If you are a service member or veteran, consider participating in the SAVES Lake Fishing Tournament held at Candlewood Lake in Danbury, CT on May 9, 2017. There is also the Adaptive Sport Fest on April 9 and the Annual Adaptive Cycle Clinic on May 20, 2017. Registration is also open for the always exciting and challenging 2017 Gaylord Gauntlet on June 24, 2017. Lots of fun and exciting events for everyone! We hope to see you soon!

To get involved, just contact the Sports Association at 203-284-2772 or visit our website at www.gaylord.org/sports for more information.

-The Sports Association

The Connecticut Grey Rugby Team played the Connecticut Jammers on Sunday, Febraury 5, 2017 for their annual game. The gym at New Horizons Village was full of family and friends as the able-bodied Grey Rugby players got into chairs and played Quad Rugby! The Jammers prevailed but fun was had by all! Thank you to the Grey Rugby Team for their continued support of the Jammers!

The Connecticut Jammers Quad Rugby Team made the trip north to compete in the Atlantic North Regional Quad Rugby Tournament February 18-19, 2017 at the University of New Hampshire. The team competed against 5 other teams from the region and played their hearts out. A special shout out to Jonathan Sigworth who played every second of every game. Great job! Congratulations to all the team members on a great season and the improvements that were made throughout the year. The Jammers will return to practices in September 2017 and are always looking for new members. If interested, contact the Sports Association at 203-284-2772 or sports@gaylord.org.

The Gaylord Sports Association Wolfpack Sled Hockey team wrapped up the NESHL (Northeast Sled Hockey League) season with some battles in Exeter, New Hampshire. The Wolfpack lost a tough one to the New Jersey Freeze 4-0. New Jersey won the tier 2 championship with a win over the NY Rangers. The Wolfpack lost in a shootout to the Rangers and dropped another tough game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Although the team was without star player Rachel Grusse who is out with a hand injury, we have some new players who were able to contribute greatly. The team will play in their final tournament at Amelia Park Ice Arena April 28-30 in Westfield, MA. The team has taken first place in their division at Amelia Park the last 2 years. Spectators are welcome! Please visit Amelia Park for details. Good luck Gaylord Wolfpack!

Date:
Saturday, March 18, 2017

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Open to adults with a permanent physical disability or visual impairment

Location: Gaylord Hospital, Roncari Hall, 2nd floor Jackson Pavilion

Cost is Free

Lunch will be served at 12:00PM

Have you ever thought about trying rock climbing? Here is your chance to try this fun and challenging sport with expert instruction! Join the Sports Association for our annual Adaptive Rock Climbing Clinic! We are teaming up with Ascent Climbing and Prime Climb to offer this clinic for beginners or more experienced climbers ages 16 and up with a permanent physical disability or visual impairment. Climbers will recieve an introduction to adaptive climbing followed by individualized climbing instruction. Climbers may use traditional climbing techniques or sit-climbing techniques depending on ability level. This clinic is offered at no charge, thanks to support from the Craig Neilsen Foundation and Disabled Sports USA.

The Sports Association is teaming up with Northeast Passage and New Haven Parks & Recreation to host our annual Adaptive Cycle Clinic! The clinic is designed to provide participants the opportunity to work with trained professionals to adapt the sport of cycling and overcome physical impairments. Participants in the clinic will be able to trial dozens of adaptive cycles and find the best equipment for them. Get ready for the cycle season and join us at at Edgewood Park in New Haven for this great opportunity!

Our new series of Indoor Archery Clinics continue at Gaylord Hospital! Adaptive Archery Clinics provide the opportunity for individuals with physical disabilities to learn about and participate in the sport of archery. These clinics are appropriate for individuals ranging from beginner to advanced skill levels and provide standard archery equipment, adaptive archery equipment, as well as professional instruction by a level IV Certified USA Archery Coach.

Adaptive Kayak Classes are designed to provide adults with a physical disability the opportunity to learn or re-learn to kayak. Professsional kayak instructors teach the basics of paddle strokes, kayak equipment, safety and how to adapt or modify for individual needs. This is a two-part class over two consecutive weeks. Once a participant completes both classes, they will be eligible to participate in open water paddles with the Sports Association.

Note: Essential Elgibility Requirements apply for this class. Please contact the Sports Association for details.

Come try the Paralympic sport of Boccia. Boccia is a throwing sport of precision which has been adapted for athletes with physical disabilities. Boccia can be adapted to athletes with severe disabilities with a few modifications. The object is to place balls closest to the target ball. Games are played one on one, in pairs, and teams of three. Come join us for some training and games! All are welcome!

The Sports Association Adaptive Golf Clinics continue! These clinics are designed to provide adult golfers with physical disabilities the opportunity to work with a trained professional to adapt the sport of golf and overcome physical impairments. Participants will recieve instruction from golf professionals as well as therapeutic recreation specialists to give the best possible instruction and support independence. Clinics are held indoors at Gaylord Hospital.

Have you ever wanted to participate in a triathlon? Well, now you can! The Sports Association offers athletes with a physical disability or visual impairment, the opportunity to be part of the Gaylord Sports Association Team at the Dave Parcell's Madison Triathlon which will be held on Saturday, September 9 at the Surf Club at the Madison Town Beach in Madison, CT. This sprint distance triathlon consists of a 0.5 mile swim in Long Island Sound, 13 mile cycle along the back roads of Madison, and a 3 mile run/wheelchair push along the shore. You can complete each portion of the triathlon or do only part of the triathlon. There are group training sessions in this program. Each athlete is paired with a training partner who will support the athlete during their training and will be with them during the triathlon.

Application deadline for this awesome program is April 15, 2017. If you are interested in being considered for the paratriathlon team, please contact the Sports Association at sports@gaylord.org or 203-284-2772 to have an information packet and application sent to you.