FREE SportsFest – Track, Field, & Archery

Saturday, January 21st from 8am-12pm at Mesa High School
Check out the sports of track, field, and archery for athletes with physical disabilities at this one day event. Participants will be introduced to the basics of each sport and the equipment and have the opportunity to race, throw, and shoot! Finish the day with FREE food. No experience or pre-registration required.

Track Program

Track events include the 60,100,200,400,800,1500 and 5000 meter runs. The training regimen is tailored to the goals of each athlete. The rules of track are almost identical to those of its non-disabled counterpart. Specific distances and implements utilized are determined by age and classification status. Athletes can participate in events with the help of adaptive equipment or no assistance at all. Prosthetics, crutches, walkers, and racing wheelchairs are all examples of adaptive equipment. Visually Impaired athletes may use callers or tethered partners to assist in track events.
SEASON DATES: January 21 – May 7
PRACTICES: Saturdays with two time slots from 8-9:30am & 9:30-11am
Coach will do placement of time slot of athlete
LOCATION: Mesa High School, 1630 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa
NOTES: A limited amount of sport chairs are available for program use

Field Program

Field events include shot put, javelin, discus, club throw, softball throw and long jump. The rules of field are almost identical to those of its non-disabled counterpart. Specific distances and implements utilized are determined by age and classification status. Athletes can participate in events with the help of adaptive equipment or no assistance at all. Throwing chairs are an example of adaptive equipment. Visually impaired athletes may use callers to assist in field events.
SEASON DATES: January 21 – May 7
PRACTICES: Saturdays with two time slots from 9:30-11am & 11-12:30pm
Coach will do placement of time slot of athlete
LOCATION: Mesa High School, 1630 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa

Archery

After learning to target shoot, athletes can showcase their precision and accuracy either standing or from a seated position, depending on ability level. Adaptive equipment is available including bow stands and trigger release. The outdoor archery program follows the rules of the international Archery Federation found online at www.worldarchery.org
SEASON DATES: January 21 – May 7
PRACTICES: Saturdays with two time slots from 8-9:00am & 9:15-10:15am
Coach will do placement of time slot of athlete
LOCATION: Mesa High School, 1630 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa
NOTES: To optimize safety, please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.

Swimming

Athletes will gain practical knowledge of swimming strokes and rules while building endurance, increasing speed and improving technique through in-water drills during practice sessions. Practices will take place in a heated outdoor 25yd lap lane pool. When competing, no prostheses or assistive devices may be worn. Visit www.usaswimming.org for further information. The aquatics team is not designed to teach swim lessons to non-swimmers. Swim lessons are available through the COM Aquatics Program for individuals interested in learning how to swim.
SEASON DATES: February 4 – May 6
PRACTICES: Saturdays from 12pm-2pm
LOCATION: Skyline Aquatic Center, 845 S. Crismon Road, Mesa with exception of Kino Aquatics Center on March 4 & March 11. *May 6 practice location is still TBD.

Air Gun Outreach Series

Inherent benefits of the sport of shooting, including fundamental knowledge of air pistols/rifles, competitive options, and the development of a sustainable, satisfying life time leisure activity. 12-year-old age minimum, unless prior shooting experience.
SEASON DATES: March 14 – May 9 (Orientation March 14)
PRACTICES: Tuesdays from 6pm-8pm
LOCATION: Broadway Recreation Center, 59 E. Broadway Road, Mesa

AzDS Winter/Spring Programs – Registration Open!

The adaptive opportunities available for people with physical disabilities include all of the above opportunities including power soccer and wheelchair basketball. Register online here and view the program schedule.
Please contact the office for more information. 480.835.6273 / nina@arizonadisabledsports.com