Dear Friends of the Sports Association,

Our fall schedule is in full swing! There are yoga classes, boccia open play nights, golf clinics and archery clinics. This time of year also marks the beginning of the competitive wheelchair rugby and sled hockey seasons. The CT Classic Wheelchair Rugby Tournament is December 2-3, 2017. Come out and cheer for one of the teams!

To get involved, just 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 2nd Annual Choate Charity Sled Hockey Game was held on Sunday, October 29th at the Choate Arena in Wallingford, CT. The Choate girls and boys hockey players had the opportunity to try playing sled hockey alongside the Gaylord Wolfpack Sled Hockey Team. Everyone had a great time and the event was a huge success, raising over $8000 for the team! We would like to thank Nicole McGuigan and her family who have organized and promoted this event over the past two years. The event was also covered by Channel 3 and Fox 61 news! Thank you to everyone who supported this event!

The sixth annual Veteran's Fishing Tournament was held at Riverside Park in Hartford, CT on September 26, 2017. A total of 22 Veterans were paired with a volunteer angler and each pair went out fishing for the day. Prizes were given for the top 5 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 the CT BASS Nation, Riverfront Recapture, Major Steven Roy Andrews Fishing Outreach Program, Praxair and all the volunteer anglers! Click here to watch the Fox 61 story of the event. Click here to view photos from the event.

In conjunction with the Northeast Sled Hockey League, the Gaylord Wolfpack Sled Hockey Team hosted this 8-team tournament at Northford Ice Pavillion September 23-24. Teams in attendance were Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Northeast Passage Wildcats (NH), Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins, USA Warriors, and the Gaylord Wolfpack (CT). With many supporters including 50 athletes from Sacred Heart University cheering for the Wolfpack, the Wolfpack won their first game over the USA Warriors! The team placed 4th overall in the tournament! The NEP Wildcats took 1st place. This was a great start to our season! Nice job Wolfpack! For more information on the Wolfpack Sled Hockey Team, visit the team website ctsledhockey.org.

Come join the action as the Gaylord Wolfpack take on the Northeast Passage Wildcats and the New York Rangers in the Northeast Sled Hockey League games! Come cheer on the Wolfpack!

The winter ski season is right around the corner and the Sports Association would like to invite you to our Skiing Discovery Night! Join us and learn about adaptive skiing and the Sports Association Ski Club.

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 during two consecutive weeks. Once a participant completes both classes, they will be eligible to participate in open water paddles with the Sports Association.

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 physical or visual impairments. 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.

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.

The November and December Open Play Nights will involve warmups and training games/strategy which will be followed by open play. Come join us for some training and games! All are welcome!

Come and try this sport of skill and accuracy by registering for one of our Indoor Archery Clinics! Clinics are 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 a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist to give the best possible instruction and support independence. Both beginners and advanced archers are welcome and all equipment is provided.