Dear Friends of the Sports Association, 

Spring has finally arrived and the Sports Association continues to offer a wide variety of sports and recreational opportunities! Golf Clinics and Archery Clinics have moved outside.  We are introducing a Veterans only Adaptive Archery Clinic on Thursday, May 31, 2018.  We had a very successful Adaptive Sports Fest in April and Adaptive Cycle Clinic on Saturday, May 19. We also had 24 Veterans participate in the annual Veteran's Fishing Tournament held at Lake Congamond in Southwick, MA.  A great day was had by all!  

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 Wolfpack Sled Hockey Team recently competed in the Disabled Hockey Festival in Chicago and won the National Championship in their division!  WOW!  Congratulations to the entire team on this accomplishment! 

The Sports Association held their third annual Adaptive Sports Fest on Sunday April 7, 2018 at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. This event was organized by the Sports Association in collaboration with the Institute of Adaptive Sports and Inclusive Recreation at SCSU and Chapter 126 Sports & Fitness.

The day began with guest speaker, Steve Emt, a member of the USA National Curling Team and past Gaylord patient who competed in the Paralympic in PyeongChang, South Korea Paralympics in March.  Steve gave an inspiring talk while sharing his story about overcoming life’s challenges, achieving his dreams on and off the ice and his journey to compete on the world’s stage.

Following this, the event kicked off with adaptive sports clinics in Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia, Golf, Wheelchair Lacrosse, Seated Yoga and Goalball.  Attendees also had the opportunity to meet with representatives from local adaptive sports programs in the expo area to learn about sports such as adaptive cycling, wheelchair tennis, kayaking, archery, skiing, sled hockey, horseback riding, sailing, running and more.  New this year, we had a special demonstration of the Ekso Bionic Exoskeleton! 

Over 150 people attended the event including participants, athletes, exhibitors, students, professionals, friends, family and others from the community.  Thank you to all of the participants, exhibitors, community members, volunteers, and sponsors who made the ASF a wonderful learning experience for all! Join us next year for the 4th annual event which will be bigger and better than ever!

The seventh annual SAVES Veteran's Fishing Tournament was held at Lake Congamond in Southwick, MA on May 8, 2018. Twenty-four Veterans were paired with volunteer anglers and each pair went out fishing for the day. Prizes were given for the top 3 weights and everyone enjoyed an awards luncheon at the end of the event. A big thank you to all the groups who help make this event possible including CT BASS Nation, Major Steven Roy Andrews Fishing Outreach Program, Disabled Sports USA, VA Adaptive Sports Grant, Praxair, Cabela's, and all the volunteer anglers! Click here to watch the Fox 61 story of the event. Click here to view photos from the event.

The Sports Association teamed up with Northeast Passage, Ti-Trikes, Bike-On, and New Haven Parks & Recreation to host our annual Adaptive Cycle Clinic held on May 19, 2018 at the Moore Field House at Southern Connecticut State University! The clinic provided the participants with the opportunity to work with trained professionals to adapt the sport of cycling.  Participants in the clinic were able to choose from dozens of adaptive cycles and find the best equipment for them.  Cycle Club rides begin in June.  Contact the Sports Association at 203-284-2772 or sport@gaylord.org for additional information and registration information.

This annual 9-hole golf tournament provides an opportunity for individuals with a physical disability or a visual impairment to compete in a friendly competition against other golfers with similar ability levels. Participants should be able to golf independently or independent when using adaptations. The tournament awards prizes to the winners and for contests, such as closest to the pin. An awards luncheon is included.

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.  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/push along the shore. You can complete the entire triathlon or participate as part of a relay team.  Application deadline for this program is May 29, 2018.  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. 

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.

If you haven't joined us for our indoor kayak classes and would like to paddle with us this summer - this is your last opportunity!  Adaptive Kayak Classes are pre-requisites to participate in our outdoor kayak program.  Certified kayak instructors will 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.
*Essential Eligibility Requirements Apply for participation. Please contact the Sports Association for details*.

Come and try this sport of skill and accuracy by registering for an Adaptive 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.