BlazeSports Clubs of America

BlazeSports is a program of the U.S. Disabled Athletes Fund, the successor organization to the Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee.

Introduced in 1998, the program has quickly grown and will serve 34 communities in 16 states and the District of Columbia in 2004. BlazeSports is a comprehensive sports and fitness program for children and adults with physical disabilities composed of BlazeSports Georgia and BlazeSports Clubs of America.

Paralympic athletes, and coaches and other nationally ranked disabled athletes are an integral component in all BlazeSports programs. Serving as coaches and counselors to beginning or rising athletes, these elite athletes bring a high level of experience and knowledge to program participants. And they provide excellent role models and mentors to BlazeSports participants.

Sports offered by USDAF through the BlazeSports programs are: wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair racing, wheelchair rugby, swimming and field events. It is anticipated that as programs are formed in locations where winter sports are appropriate, these will be added. The programs serve youth and adults who use wheelchairs, have an amputation, a visual impairment or a neuro-muscular disability such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida.

BlazeSports Clubs of America is a partnership with the National Recreation and Parks Association and the National Alliance of Youth Sports.

The mission of the USDAF and its BlazeSports Clubs of America program is to maximize the potential of children and adults with physical disability through sport.

To accomplish this mission, the organization has identified five primary objectives. These are:

Objective One* --To provide opportunities for people with physical disability in sport comparable to those provided non-disabled Americans.

Objective Two* --To foster character development, productive lives, healthy lifestyles and self-sufficiency for people with physical disability.

Objective Three* --To build positive perceptions of people with physical disability.

Objective Four* --To incorporate the highest standards of quality into all aspects of the organization.

Objective Five* --To achieve long-term sustainability and organizational growth at all levels.