SportsAbility Day- A Paralympic Experience day for all.
For many, the weekend of August 10-12th was just another weekend. For Athletes with disAbilities Network Northeast (ADNNEC) and its partners Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Philadelphia Center for Adaptive Sports, Team River Runner Southeast Pa, and USA Boccia it was an exceptional day.
A gathering of new and old adaptive athletes occurred at the Camden County Boathouse, Cooper River, in Pennsauken NJ. Paralympic Athletes, Team USA Members and ParaAthlete mentors, Megan Blunk(2016 Women’s Wheelchair Gold Medal Team), Brandon Holiday, 8 time Sprint Kayak National Champion and Team USA Member, 4 time Sprint Kayak National Champion Rimma Egorkina, Team River Runner Director James Riley, professional Wheelchair Basketball player Anthony Pone, and veteran player F. Sean Johnson, Boathouse Rowers Ella, Andrea and Bella taught area disabled athletes and their families kayaking, rowing Cooper River and Challenge Grove Park in Cherry Hill, NJ. Instructors Jeff McGinnis and Al Leaf from Philadelphia Center for Adapted Sports taught Adaptive cycling. Boccia ball Technicians Mark Flor-Swick and Purpose Baly, Along with Cherry Hill graduate and volleyball player Chelsea Holiday instructed Sit volleyball at Cherry Hill West Gymnasiums. ADNNEC volunteers and USTA pros Nancy Wilkins and Darren Kindred instructed the adaptive tennis clinics at the Cherry Hill Health and Racquet Club, and ADNNEC Board Members Brian Dugan, Amada Boyce, Andrea Varone, volunteers Kelly Cotto, Elizabeth Louie and Craig Nielsen taught archery at the Parisi Speed School.
In attendance were over 147 participants ranging in age from 6 years old to 78 years of age. Para-athletes that participated had visual impairments, spinal cord injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, and Stroke, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy and Cognitive challenges, others with limb difference or loss of function of limbs participated in every sport.
The goal of the day is for families and para participants to be able to build relationships, learn new adaptive sports and that possibilities are endless. Most importantly to build a community that supports each other and works together to keep our injured loved ones sustain an active lifestyle.
(Click Photo to go to the gallery)
For more information on clinics and events contact executive director Brandon Holiday, [email protected]
Athletes with Disabilities Network Northeast 
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