Paralympic Sports Clubs…grassroots at its best

A few years ago US Paralympics created the Paralympic Sports Club designation for adaptive sports programs.  I envision a group at the top scratching their heads saying why don’t we have more individuals with disabilities on the podium at major events.  US Paralympics realized that to do this they would have to nurture athletes from the grassroots level.  They did a 180 and started to focus on the programs that were introducing athletes and individuals to adaptive sports.  The Paralympic Sports Club (PSC) was born. 

Stated on the US Paralympic website:

Paralympic Sport Clubs are community-based programs developed to involve youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities in sports and physical activity, regardless of skill level.  All programs and activities will be based in the community and are run by the local organization. 

Currently there are over 100 PSC around the US and Europe (three in Germany on US Military bases).  US Paralympics goal is to have around 230 by 2015.  Click here for more information on how your organization and become a PSC. 

Today these sports clubs met for a day-long working session at the Paralympic Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs, CO.  The energy was high throughout the day and discussion topics ranged from funding opportunities and partnerships to use of the PSC Logo.  The highlight of the morning was to hear Melissa Stockwell (Iraq Veteran, above knee amputee, and paralympic athlete) speak about her story.

It is incredible to see US Paralympics taking such an active role in the success of small community based organizations.  Organizations which can take credit for empowering individuals with disabilities by giving them their first sports lesson and which will also swell with pride as their athletes might one day stand on a Paralympic Podium.  This model of PSC’s has already started to pay off big with a huge increase in participation in adaptive sports.  Although the biggest payoff is for individuals with disabilities who might have not know about what sport and recreation can do for them. 

Networking was the main focus of the afternoon breakout session.  PSC’s were broken up by region and encouraged, through some creative games, to network with other PSC’s and Veteran organizations.  Meeting people who might be your neighbor but you never knew them is great and there will be some great collaborations and partnerships which come out of this session.   

   

US Paralympics has really raised the bar again with this year’s PSC working sessions.  We left a long day feeling like someone was really thinking about the needs of our organizations.  Thanks.

Now it is off to hear Eric Weihenmayer speak about climbing the seven summits.    

-RAM

Traveling to Mount Olympus (AKA The Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs)

Each Spring US Paralympics hosts the Paralympic Leadership Conference at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs Colorado.  The 2011 event is April 28 till May 2^nd.   This event is one of a kind and is truly “Amazing” as it has been called in the past.  Anyone who is involved with adaptive sports for individuals with disabilities should make the time to attend this event or to learn more.  Anyone who isn’t able to attend this year’s event (it is sold out) should follow this blog or click here for a live video feed of the conference.

My experience at the 2010 event left a lasting impression on me and fired up for more.  Some of the highlights included:

·         Coach Krzyzewski (Coach K) of Duke University and the US Olympic Men’s Basketball team speak about going for the gold.

·         General Cheek Commander of the Army’s Warrior Transition Unit speak about sport as a rehab tool.

·         All the networking opportunities (I had stacks of business cards to go through when I got home).

The 2011 Paralympic Leadership Conference starts today and promises to deliver even bigger this year.  Special guest speakers include:

·          Erik Weihenmayer,first visually impaired person to climb the seven summits.

·         Shellie Y. Pfohl, Executive Director of Council on Fitness to President Obama.

·         Rye Barcott co-founder of Carolina for Kibera and author of “It happened on the way to war”.

·         Peter Shankman, founder, The Geek Factory, Inc and Shankman.com  .

There will also be several awards given out, many interesting breakout sessions and numerous Paralympic Athletes (who have won lots of medals) at this event.

US Paralympics put this event on with the goal of growing the Paralympic movement in the United States.  Bringing the grassroots organizations together for a weekend of discussions and speakers is a powerful tool which US Paralmypics has grasp well.  There will be over 400 community and military leaders here this weekend with the focus of taking sport to the next level.  The energy is contagious and everyone who attends leaves with new vision and purpose.

Stay tuned here for more from the conference. 

-RAM