As posted by: Kevin Hughes 

The Fort Wayne Bandit’s adult wheelchair basketball team won the Mid-American Conference Tourney in Strongsville, OH this past weekend (Oct. 25-26, 2008) as they went 5-0, defeating the Moraine Minutemen 64-55 (overtime) in the championship game. For tournament scores click here

Next tourney: Rock N Roll shootout in Cleveland where they’ll face last season D3 champs Hill on Wheels (Kentucky)

On Saturday, November 8, 2008 the Prep Turnstone Flyers will host their annual ‘Prep for the Future’ tourney to kick off the season with two rival opponents from Michigan: Grand Rapids Pacers and Sterling Heights Challengers. All three teams were nationally ranked last season. 

Key match-up: Challengers vs Flyers at 1:30pm. Last season the Flyers won 2 out of 3 games against the Challengers; however, at Prep Nationals the Challengers had the upper hand and finished 2nd while the Flyers finished 3rd in the Nation.

Also… The 4:30 pm Jr. Pacers vs Flyers is an intreging matchup. The two teams have a long history of playing in close games against each other. Don’t be supprise if the game goes into overtime.

All games will be played at

Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities

3320 North Clinton Street - Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Click here for the complete schedule

On Saturday, November 15, 2008 teams from the Hoosier land (Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Muncie) will be competing in the Turnstone Power Soccer Challenge. 

Key match-up: The Fantastic Flyers vs RHI Storm at 1pm….the Fantastic Flyers defeated the Storm 2-1 at last year nationals in the second round.

Also… the Fearless Flyers vs Ball State Cardinals @ 3pm…  the Fantastic Flyers who finished as D-2 National Champions will have a tough battle against D-1 Ball State Cardinals.

All games will be played at

Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities

3320 North Clinton Street - Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Click here for full schedule

Update on Sled Hockey…. Join the building efforts in creating the the first sled hockey team in Indiana.

Next practice is this Monday, November 3rd from 6:45 till 7:45pm. Click here for the complete schedule.

A hand full of the players will be traveling to Northwest Chicagoland December 5 - 7, 2008. For some of the athletes this will be there first tournament experience. 

On Friday, February 13, 2009 members of the Fort Wayne sled hockey group will play @ Memorial Coliseum during intermission of a Komets game.

That same weekend (February 14-15, 2008) McMillan Ice Arena, also know as the MAC, (3901 Abbott Street. Fort Wayne, IN 46806) is hosting ‘The First Annual Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Championship’. Click here for more info.

Click here to learn more about sled hockey

As posted by Kevin Hughes:

With the Olympics in full swing, the Paralympic’s is just around the corner. Opening Ceremonies for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China will kick-off on September 6, 2008 and end on Sept. 17th. More then 200 US athletes will compete in 18 sports during the 11 days.

Below are some ways you can follow the coverage:

Video coverage:

ParalympicSport.TV

USA>www.youtube.com/paralympicSportTV

ParalympicSport.TV

USA coverage

Official>http://wheelchairbeijing.wordpress.com/

Official 2008 Paralympic Games Web site

Overview>http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/index.shtml

Overview of the daily competition schedule

State-By-State>http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/schedules/index.shtml

State-By-State Roster

US>http://files.e2ma.net/24345/assets/docs/athletesbystate2008.pdf

US Paralympic Individual Bios

US>http://paralympics.teamusa.org/athlete

US Paralympic Academy (Josh Swoverland included on this list)

Daily>http://paralympics.teamusa.org/content/index/658

Daily sports recaps and the USA Daily e-mail newsletter

________________________________

Below>http://paralympics.teamusa.org/event/event/380

________________________________

Below

The Indiana Stage Race in Indianapolis on Aug. 23 to 24 is the final race on the United States Handcycling Federation series, for which riders, placed within different divisions based on their impairment and age, earn cumulative points determined by their finishes.

The event, August 23 and 24. consists of three separate races, one at Ft Ben Saturday early afternoon, one along Fall Creek Parkway Saturday early evening, and one at the State Fairgrounds on Sunday. We hope to have 3-5 local racers and an additional 15-20 racers coming in from all over the country.  

This race is one of the races included in the US Handcycling Federations series for the national championship. This is the 3rd year for the event in partnership with the Indiana Race Series.  It combines able bodied cycling with handcycling.  It will be an exciting event.  

The McMillen Ice Arena (MAC) is offering two new sports this year—sled hockey and speed skating. The sled hockey program is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m., July 19, Aug. 2 and Aug 6. The speed skating program is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m., July 12, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23. Sled hockey is similar to wheelchair basketball and is a great sport for youth and adults. People with mobility disabilities who enjoy or want to learn the sport of hockey are welcome. Admission is $5 per session. There is no pre-registration for this dropin program and all equipment will be provided. Don’t miss your chance to become a living roller coaster as speed skaters can achieve speeds as fast as 60 miles per hour at short distances. Speed skating sessions are open to all skaters, whether you compete or just skate for fun. Instructors will be available to help beginners get started. Admission is $12 per session. There is no pre-registration for this program and rental skates are available. For more information, call (260) 427-6730 or visit www.mcmillenicearena.org.

This past weekend (June 27-29, 2008) at the 24th Annual TWAA Music City Classic local wheelchair tennis athlete James Ezell defeated Shane Coldwell from Georgia 6-1; 6-2 however in the Quarterfinals (C Singles) James lost to USTA #2 ranked Mark La Rotonda 6-0; 6-0. 

In Men’s C Doubles James and teammate Bruce Fairbanks lost 6-2; 6-1 to Matthew Clements/Scott Cole. 

Upcoming wheelchair tennis: James Ezell, Kevin Hughes, and Noah Yablong (all from Fort Wayne, IN) are all registered to play in the July 11-13, 2008 McCann Memorial Wheelchair open and July 18-20 Midwest Wheelchair Championships. 

June ‘08 ——————————————
4-5 Annual Water Ski Clinic
6-7 Indy Thunder Beep Baseball Tournament
30 RHI & Bradford Woods Water SkiJuly ‘08 ——————————————–
7 Bradford Woods All-Sports Camp
9-10 Water Ski Clinic (Camp WACK)
11 White Water Rafting Trip (Adult)
20 RCA Tennis Championships – Clinic
26 Wheels in Motion Motorcycle Poker Run
30 Journey of Hope: Push America
30-31 Youth Basketball Camp
August ‘08 ————————————–
(TBD) Sky Diving Clinic
23-24 Handcycle Race
30 Rowing Clinic

September ‘08 ——————————-
(TBD)  Horseback Riding
13 Volunteer and Athlete Appreciation Dinner
20 Archery Lessons
23 Golf Fundraiser – The Bridgewater
October ‘08 ————————————
(TBD) Kids Discovery Sports Day
(TBD) Weightlifting

November ‘08 ——————————-
(TBD) Hunting Trip
(TBD) Scuba Diving

OTHER SPORTS EVENTS

-Adult Basketball
Open Gym
Date: Every Wednesday evening
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Municipal Gardens
- Youth Basketball Team Practice
Practice will resume in the Fall

- Adult Basketball Team Practice
Team practice will resume in the Fall

-Beep Baseball Practice
Date: Every Tuesday & Saturday

- Quad Rugby Practice
Contact - ddeckman@comcast.net
(317) 331-2268
amlohaver@yahoo.com
(317) 796-0537

- Power Soccer Practice
Teams practice in various locations

- Water Ski Team Practice
RHI Sports Water Ski Team practice begins with RHI Sports Water Ski Clinics June 4 and 5, 2008 at Morse Reservoir.  Clinics continue with Advanced Competition Disabled Water Ski Clinic on June 6 in Danville at Hawthorn Lake.
 
Then, every Monday afternoon/evening skiers may get a pull at Fairland Ski Club’s site at intersection of Fairland Rd and I-74.  Exit and go West on Fairland Road, turning south at frontage road on WEST side of I-74.  Lake is on west side of frontage road.
 
Beginning June 5th and every Thursday through September 18th (except July 3) the Indy Parks Ability Water Ski Training Series operates on Lake Indy (White River) with HQ at Municipal Gardens Family Recreation Center, 1841 Lafayette Road.  Skiers may register via Indy Parks activity registration line, 317-327-7275, paying $5 registration fee to Indy Parks.  Skiing starts at 5PM and is limited to the first 16 skiers who register with Indy Parks.
 
Ability Series fees for skiing may vary as gas prices ebb and flow, but skiers should expect to pay $20 for one set, with discount for second set if time allows.  USA Water Ski Guest memberships are available for $5 per session if skier is not active member of USA Water Ski with membership card in hand at dock.
- Racing Team Practice
Various meeting time; contact us for more info

- Youth Track and Field practice
Thursdays

-Golf Practice
Mondays
-Youth Tennis Camp
Saturday morning

-Adult Tennis
Saturday morning
 

RHI Sports  Community Fitness Class. Held at Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana every  Tuesday and  Thursday from 5:00-6:00 p.m. No fee to attend. To register, please call the RHI Sports Program at (317) 329-2281.

power_soccer_nationals_sign1.pdfOn April 5, thePower Soccer teams had the opportunity to test their skills.  The Fantastic and Fearless Flyers competed against power soccer teams from across the Midwest, many of whom have been playing together longer than each of the Flyers teams.  They Fearless flyers and the Fantastic flyers began playing together in the fall of 2006.  They decided to really push themselves and kick up the practice time.  The Flyers’ dedication paid off, and they took home top honors at the Midwest Tourney.   In the end, the Flyers teams competed against one another for first and second place, and with a score of 3 to 1 the Fearless Flyers placed first and the Fantastic Flyers second.  All the Flyers played phenomenally well; and, Brandon Stump of Turnstone Fearless Flyers took home the Midwest Regional Outstanding Player and Sportsmanship Awards.  The Flyers will return home from Nationals in Atlanta Georgia this week.  We wish them the best of luck. 

RHI is offering wheelchair tennis clinics/practices every Saturday from 9 - 11am @ Lawrence North High School (7802 Hague Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46256). For more info contact Pat Dean at 317-329-2281 or pat.dean@rhin.com.

For those interested in seeing more wheelchair tennis action around the Midwest below are a few upcomming USTA matches:

• June 27-29, 2008 Nashville, TN  24th Annual TWAA Music City Classic - Call Kelly M. Skelton-Weise (931) 212-4193 for more info
• July 11-13, 2008 Muncie, IN MCCANN MEMORIAL WHEELCHAIR OPEN Call (765)-286-0818 for more info
• July 18-20, 2008 Zeeland, MI MIDWEST WHEELCHAIR CHAMPIONSHIPS Call 616-748-0468 or 616-283-3377