Athens, Ga. – Athens Inclusive Recreation and Sports is looking for participants—with or without disabilities—from the University of Georgia and the community for its first wheelchair basketball clinic March 23 at 2 p.m. at Tuckston United Methodist Church, 4175 Lexington Road, Athens.
Wheelchair basketball is similar to regular basketball-five players and 10-foot hoops. The games will be four eight-minute quarters. “The only difference is the wheelchairs,” said John Dunne, AIRS marketing consultant.
The event is being made possible through a partnership with BlazeSports America, a national nonprofit organization that is the legacy organization of the 1996 Paralympic Games held in Atlanta. BlazeSports America is providing the wheelchairs for the clinic and Tuckston United Methodist Church is providing the space.
AIRS is a nonprofit organization that provides adapted sports activities for people with disabilities in the Athens area. AIRS was formed and is led by community volunteers, most of whom are University of Georgia graduates or students. The organization’s goal is to expand understanding and recognition of all individuals and all abilities, regardless of limitations, through adapted activities.
Athens Inclusive Recreation and Sports is currently recruiting volunteers and players for adapted sports programs including power soccer, beep kickball, goal ball, kayaking, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. For more information, see www.airs-ga.org/.