Kamloops Adapted Sports Association (KASA) Announces Launch Event

Kamloops, BC – Kamloops Adapted Sports Association (KASA) is thrilled to announce its
official launch, Saturday October 5th 6-8:30pm on court at the Tournament Capital Centre
(TCC) in Kamloops. KASA will be showcasing its three sport offerings: wheelchair basketball,
wheelchair tennis and handcycling. Joining KASA that evening will be BC Wheelchair Sports, BC
Wheelchair Basketball and Adapted Sports Sun Peaks. All together, seven different adapted
sports will be showcased.

Started by Jessica and Jon Vliegenthart, KASA is a new multi-sport club whose goal is to
provide adapted sport opportunities in an integrated setting for everyone - people with
disabilities, their friends/families or those just interested in adapted sport. Jessica is a
Paralympian (London 2012, Wheelchair Basketball) and Jon is able-bodied with 16 years of
adapted sport experience (Canada Games 2003 and 2007, Wheelchair Basketball). The club
currently offers wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, and handcycling and has partnerships
with PacificSport, School District 73, the City of Kamloops, the Kamloops Tennis Club and
Adapted Sports Sun Peaks.

KASA is offering a Beginner Wheelchair Basketball session starting October 3 at the TCC. Sport
chairs are provided, and everyone is welcome. KASA is also implementing a school program
this November that integrates sports chairs into high school gym curriculum to introduce new
physical literacy. Schools are encouraged to use the chairs in intramural programs as well!
KASA currently offers wheelchair tennis on Tuesday nights, 7:30 to 8:30 pm at the Kamloops
Tennis Club.

In partnership with the City of Kamloops, KASA currently offers integrated spin classes at the
TCC where users with a disability have access to a handcycle on a trainer.
KASA is proud to open its programs to the general public and we welcome inquiries from all
athletes, disabled and able-bodied. KASA also welcomes inquires from those interested in
coaching adapted sport.

Visit KASA’s website at www.kamloopsadaptedsport.com for more information on upcoming
programs.

Media Contact:
Jessica Vliegenthart
Kamloops Adapted Sports Association
250-571-8800
KamloopsASA@gmail.com

Register Now for the Halloween Wheelchair Tennis Fun Tournament

Want to get your Halloween started with a little wheelchair tennis fun? Put on your costume and head out to our fun 2013 Halloween Wheelchair Tennis Fun Tournament.

Bridging the Gap, Tennis Canada and BCWSA are teaming up to host the spookiest wheelchair tennis event on the circuit. No experience is necessary and sports wheelchairs and equipment will be provided. Come on our for food, fun and prizes!

When: November 2nd
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Where: Delta Town and Country Courts
Cost: $10
Contact: Lisa Myers, 604-333-3520 ext. 209 or programs@bcwheelchairsports.com

BCWSA Welcomes Ian Chan and Ryan Schweizer As Wheelchair Rugby Coaches

BC Wheelchair Sports Association is pleased to announce that Ian Chan has been hired to join our staff as Provincial Wheelchair Rugby Assistant Coach. Ian will be working with Head Coach Adam Frost to contribute to the development of wheelchair rugby across the province. Ian is a long-time member of the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby National Team and we look forward to having him share his experience with our up-and-coming athletes.

 We would also like to congratulate Ryan Schweizer on his new role as B Team program coach. Ryan is both a wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis player and has been a valued member of both the A and B team for many years. 

We are looking forward to having both Ian and Ryan on board!

BC Wheelchair Sports Association Heads to Kamloops

The "Tournament Capital of Canada" is about to get even sportier. Thanks to the newly created Kamloops Adapted Sports Association (KASA), Kamloops is primed to become a hotbed of wheelchair sports activity. To give the programs a boost, BCWSA, the Bridging the Gap Program and KASA are hosting a multi-sport Have a Go Day.

People with disabilities in the Kamloops area are invited to come try the exciting sports of wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair track and field and handcycling. The event is free and all sports equipment will be provided.

When: October 5th
Time: 6 - 8:30 pm
Where: Tournament Capital Centre, 910 McGill Rd, Kamloops, BC
Cost: Free!

For more information or to register, contact 
Lisa Myers
Program Coordinator, BCW
604-333-3520 ext. 209
programs@bcwheelchairsports.com

or

Kamloops Adapted Sports Association
kamloopsasa@gmail.com
www.kamloopsadaptedsport.com

Kids With Disabilities Invited to Let's Play Days

Kids with physical disabilities, their families, and their able-bodied siblings and friends are invited to several fun Sunday Let's Play Days. Let's Play is a program that provides kids with disabilities with sports wheelchairs and works with families and schools to help children experience the fun and fitness of physical activity. Even if your child does not use a wheelchair, he or she can still benefit from the freedom of mobility that a sports wheelchair can bring.

Come out for an afternoon of modified wheelchair sports activities and loads of fun! Meet other families of kids with disabilities and share ideas and resources. Sports wheelchairs and equipment will be provided.





When: Sunday Sept 29th, Oct. 27th, and Nov. 24th
Time: 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Where: Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway at Main, Vancouver, BC
Who: Kids with physical disabilities between 1 - 8 (up to
Contact: Marni Abbott-Peter at 604-333-3532 or email marni@bcwbs.ca
Cost: Free!

Hope to see everyone out for a day of fun!

Hiphop Artist Seeks Wheelchair Rugby Athlete For Music Video

Calling all wheelchair rugby athletes! A popular hip-hop artist is looking for a male wheelchair rugby athlete to appear in a new music video. The athlete will be paid $200 a day and the video will appear on Muchmusic, Muchmore Music, AuxTV, MTV Canada (before and after commercial breaks), Possibly MTV2 (definitely MTV USA website).

Storyline of Music Video
SonReal's "Believe" will be an inspirational music video that will follow four individual stories (A single mom, obese boy, dancer and wheelchair rugby player ) and their struggle to find strength in a world that seemingly works against them. For Believe, production will be using song sections to break up parallel narratives in the story. Each story is linked with their content and each story is defined by sections of the song.

If you're interested, email arley@bcwheelchairsports.com ASAP.

Port Moody Program Boasts Record Numbers

Angela Blacknell of the Port Moody program gives us an update about the great work they're doing:

I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who came out tonight! We had record numbers: 17. We split into 4 teams of 4 and did 3 minute games for the 1.5 hours. We had a mixture of new and now “veteran” players, so keep on spreading the details of the program. The wheelchair sports program is Wednesday from 6:00-7:30. You can register for $20.00 or pay $4.00/night.

 

We also have a Monday night wheelchair basketball program from 6:00-7:30. Basketball includes coaching and refereed games each and every night. Basketball is registered or drop in, drop in is $12.50/night or $10.00 if registering.

 

Hope to you see you out! Family and Friends are ALWAYS welcome!

 

Both programs take place at the Port Moody Recreation Center. If you're interested in taking part in this fun program, don't hesitate to drop in.

Mark Your Calendars for Wheelchair Rugby FunBowl Fundraiser

Here's a great opportunity to raise money for our wheelchair rugby athletes and have a great time doing it.

The BC Wheelchair Rugby Association will be holding their annual FunBowl fundraiser on October 19th from 9 pm to midnight. Tickets are $20, which includes shoes and bowling all night. Drinks will be available. There will also be a 50/50 draw, door prizes, snacks and loads of fun! 

What: Wheelchair Rugby FunBowl Fundraiser
When: Nov 9, 9 pm
Where: Poco Lanes, 2233 Elgin Ave.
Cost: $20

For more information, contact Steve Campbell at pocoskinny@hotmail.com.

BCWSA Launched Fun New Minimal Disability Recruitment Video

If you play wheelchair basketball, you know that many participants are able-bodied or have minimal disabilities that allow them to walk. In fact, 40% of Canadian wheelchair basketball players are able-bodied or minimally disabled. To spread this message, BC Wheelchair Basketball Society teamed up with BC Wheelchair Sports Association and the Bridging the Gap Program to create this fun video. You might even recognize a few of the athletes.

Check out the video below. Enjoy!



And bonus: here are the hilarious outtakes:

BCWSA To Host AGM

780 SW Marine Drive Vancouver, BC  V6P 5Y7 Phone:  604-333-3520 Fax:  604-326-1229

MEMO TO: Member, BCWSA

FROM: Gail Hamamoto, Executive Director

RE: AGM Notice & Proxy vote for the 2013 Annual General Meeting

_____________________________________________________________________

Please be advised that the BCWSA 2013 AGM will be held at 6:30pm on Wednesday, Sept 18, 2013 at the BCWSA office, 780 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver.

There are also 4 positions up for election at the AGM.  There are four nominees who are current members of the Board of Directors as follows:

Pat Harris – Pat is a former athlete and coach and has been a Board Member of BCWSA for 18 years.  He is the current President of BCWSA and is the Information Services Manager for Spinal Cord Injury BC.  As a resident of Prince George, Pat is a strong community leader and advocate for persons with a disability living in Northern BC.

Laurel Crosby – Laurel has been involved in Wheelchair Sports in 1979 as a team leader, board member, educational advisor and more.  She is a past board member of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, and was the Chef de Mission for the Canadian Paralympic Team in Nagano.  Laurel is a principle at an elementary school in Richmond.

Ross Robinson – Ross is an active wheelchair basketball player, past board member of BC Wheelchair Basketball and long serving Board Member of BCWSA.  Over the years, Ross has provided valued guidance and expertise to BCWSA in the areas of harassment, disciplinary proceedings and member relations.  Ross is a Child & Youth Mental Health Clinician with the Coast Fraser Region.

Kelly Smith – Kelly is a Paralympian in the sport of Wheelchair Athletics, having won a silver medal in the Marathon at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.  In addition to serving on the BCWSA Board of Directors for a number of years, Kelly is a high performance coach and mentor in athletics.  When he isn’t on the track or road, Kelly is an Air Traffic Controller.

Enclosed find a proxy form which, as a voting member of this Association, gives you the opportunity to have a vote by designating a member in good standing to vote on your behalf.  This proxy vote is to be used only if you are unable to attend the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, September 18th, 2013.

Please complete, sign and mail, deliver, email or fax your proxy to BCWSA by Tuesday, September 17^th, 2013 to BC Wheelchair Sports, 780 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC  V6P 5Y7

Other supporting documentation includes: Agenda, and nomination form.