Dear Members and Friends of the Sports Association, 

As we look forward to spring, the Sports Association continues to offer a wide variety of sports and recreational opportunities!  We have had a successful ski season so far and our final Ski Club Trip to Bromley Mountain will be on March 10th.  If you prefer to stay indoors, we have Boccia Open Play Nights, Golf Clinics, Archery Clinics, and Seated Yoga!  Plus, we have some of our biggest special events coming up, including the Adaptive Climbing Clinic on Saturday, March 24th, the Adaptive Sports Fest on Saturday, April 7th and the Adaptive Cycle Clinic on Saturday, May 19. 

Come on out and try something new!

To get involved, contact the Sports Association at 203-284-2772 or visit our website at www.gaylord.org/sports for more information. We hope to see you soon!

-The Sports Association

The Gaylord Sports Association held their inaugural SMASH BOWL Wheelchair Rugby Tournament on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Southern Connecticut State University.  This event gave able-bodied (AB) rugby teams and other community groups a chance to try their hand at the hard-hitting sport of wheelchair rugby!  Eight teams joined the tournament to compete for the Smash Bowl Championship!  Teams in attendance were:  The CT Grey Rugby Team, New Haven Rugby Club, Gaylord Hospital, SCSU Rugby, SCSU Therapeutic Recreation, Sacred Heart University, Mitchell College Rugby and MOB Rugby.  The SCSU Rugby team, with some help from the New Haven Rugby Club, won the Smash Bowl Championship game after the 8-team single elimination bracket.  The SCSU team then went on and played the Gaylord Jammers for the overall Championship.  Great effort and spirited play by all!  Thank you to SCSU for their collaboration with this event, and to all the volunteers and teams who helped to make our first SMASH BOWL a success!

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 receive an introduction to adaptive climbing followed by individualized climbing instruction. Climbers may use traditional climbing techniques or sit-climbing techniques depending on ability level.

The Sports Association is teaming up with Northeast Passage, Ti-Trikes 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 choose from 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!

Join us for our series of Seated Yoga Classes! This program offers the opportunity for individuals of all ability levels to participate in a 60-minute seated yoga class, led by a registered yoga instructor. Participants will be guided through gentle yoga movements in a seated position with a focus on breathing exercises, yoga poses, self-awareness and ending with a meditation.  Benefits of yoga may include, improved flexibility, circulation, posture and strength. Register for one class or all three classes.

The Sports Association Adaptive Golf Clinics at Gaylord Hospital are designed to provide adult golfers with physical disabilities and visual impairments the opportunity to work with a trained professional to adapt the sport of golf and overcome barriers. Participants will receive instruction from golf professionals as well as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists to give the best possible instruction and support independence. Beginners and returning participants are welcome and all equipment is provided.

Adaptive Kayak Classes are designed to provide adults with a physical disability the opportunity to learn or re-learn to kayak. Professional 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 during the summer months.

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 or teams of three. 
Come join us for the final event of the the season!

Come and try this sport of skill and accuracy by registering for an Indoor Archery Clinic! This clinic is designed for individuals with a physical disability or visual impairment to learn about and participate in the sport of archery. Participants will receive instruction from a level IV Certified USA Archery Coach as well as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists to give the best possible instruction and support independence. Both beginners and advanced archers are welcome and all equipment is provided.

The Gaylord Sports Association Adaptive Archery Club is in its third year. This dedicated group of archers meets throughout the year for both indoor and outdoor practice at Gaylord Hospital. The club is for Sports Association members who want more time to shoot with other experienced archers. This group works on advanced archery technique, participates in games, individual and team scoring, and most of all has a bunch of fun! For information on eligibility and how to apply for membership, please contact the Sports Association at sports@gaylord.org or 203-284-2772.   See you on the range!