Rockets To Hit The Courts!

The sound of balls bouncing on the gym floor, resounding thuds against backboards, and nearly silent swishes as rims channel shots scored through the nets. No sounds of feet pounding because all players are pushing sports chairs up and down the court, learning to adeptly handle dribbling, passing, and catching, all while out-maneuvering their opponents and shooting from a seated position.

These are the sights and sounds of the sport of wheelchair basketball!

This Fall, a new program will emerge in the Rochester region as the Rochester Rockets blast off!  Rochester Accessible Adventures is pleased to be a Youth Sports Grant recipient of Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Legacy Foundation  — which provides us with seed money to purchase part of our initial equipment needs for starting the program.

In 2019, RAA conducted a pilot program to assess the desire of area youth to play wheelchair basketball — and we were met with a big HOORAY! by youth and their parents! Clearly, the desire is evident, and youth are more than READY to play. In addition, research shows a direct link between participation in inclusive sports and the positive development of social, physical, and emotional health in youth. So, let’s get the sports chairs rolling!

We are very eager to expand the program across Greater Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and Western NY! We are seeking community input as we roll out this exciting program.

CALL TO ACTION!

We are recruiting

• Players with and without disabilities
• Coaches and Volunteers
• Community & municipal recreation sites (with accessible indoor courts & facilities) who would like to host the youth programs
• Sponsors who would like to know their support is Making Inclusion Happen across our communities!

Please contact us today to discuss how YOU can get involved — and please share this out to families across the region! Youth interested in playing should complete this survey: Inclusive Youth Wheelchair Basketball (google.com)

For more information, contact: RAA@RochesterAccessibleAdventures.orgcreate new email; 585-491-6011

It’s great to have a sport I can play with my friends!”

HELPFUL INFORMATION

This initial program will target youth in the 8-18 yrs range — do let us know if your child is younger or older and interested in playing!

All players will play from a sports wheelchair whether or not they typically use one on a regular basis. We will be able to provide chairs for getting started. (Everyday manual chairs can be used during practices if necessary.) Due to safety requirements, players will need to be able to independently push their own chair — which can be a skill they work on during practices.

We are in the process of selecting host sites for the programs to run. Interested community sites with accessible courts and facilities should contact us immediately for consideration!

We will have adjustable basketball rims during practices to allow athletes to develop and extend their skills.

Youth with and without disabilities are encouraged to join up — perfect for siblings and friends to learn a sport together!