Wayne College hosts wheelchair rugby event

                        

Teams of community members will be able to learn wheelchair rugby and play against the Akron Rhinos on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to participate in or watch the all-day event at the University of Akron Wayne College.

This year will be the second year for the annual event. A partnership between the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio and Wayne College, the fundraiser supports the Akron Rhinos wheelchair rugby team.

“It is not a competition,” ASPO program manager and coach Dilshani Madawala said. “This is a fundraiser for the Akron Rhinos wheelchair rugby team. Community members from Wayne College and the surrounding area will form teams of 4-5 players and pay a $100 registration fee to play in a 30-minute scrimmage against the Rhinos.”

Nine of last year’s teams are back this year for another go at playing the Rhinos. “The Rhinos stayed undefeated last year, despite having played 12 teams,” Madawala said.

Before the actual scrimmage, teams are given a crash course in wheelchair rugby, and the rules of the game are explained. All equipment is provided.

Wheelchair rugby is a Paralympic sport where players have impairment in at least three limbs. The playing season runs from September to March. During that time the team travels out of state for a competition at least once per month.

The ASPO is a nonprofit organization focused on the health and wellness of people with disabilities. Throughout Ohio the ASPO provides both competitive and recreational sport opportunities.

Ten sports programs are offered in Ohio, and the organization has partnered with the U.S. Olympic Committee on Paralympic Sport Ohio.

According to www.adaptivesportsohio.org, DREAM, EXCEL and INSPIRE are three programs offered through ASPO.

An introductory program called DREAM is offered to individuals with and without disabilities as well as school staff and health-care professionals. It emphasizes the importance of staying physically active.

The EXCEL program offers encouragement, assistance, training and the opportunity to play in tournaments and in specific sports.

INSPIRE is a mentoring program that pairs athletic ambassadors to people with disabilities and engages them in adaptive sports. It also inspires the community as a whole to view individuals with disabilities in a positive light.

The ASPO is always in need of volunteers. “We rely on volunteers a lot,” Madawala said, “especially when we host an event such as a charity game, hockey tournament or rugby tournament.”

For more information about volunteering, email info@adaptivesportsohio.org.

Other ways to help the organization are detailed on the website at www.adaptivesportsohio.org/support-aspo. They include everything from making a financial donation to choosing the group as the recipient of one’s Amazon Smile contribution.

ASPO is available for a school presentation focused on disability awareness, inclusion, Paralympic sports or bullying. Email Info@adaptivesportsohio.org or call 330-985-0085 for more information or to arrange a school presentation.

Any teams interested in playing in the tournament are invited to check the sign-up page online at www.signup.com/go/uMRMGLH.

Spectators are encouraged and welcomed for any part of the day’s events.

The University of Akron Wayne College is located at 1901 Smucker Road in Orrville.


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