Challenged Athletes Foundation Kicks Off the New Year with High School Adaptive Sports Program

January 14, 2020

First-ever adaptive training program creates new sports opportunities for high school and middle school students with physical challenges

SAN DIEGO, CA – January 14, 2020 – CAF, a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges pursue sports and physical fitness, officially launched its all new High School Adaptive Sports Program, presented by Kenneth Whalen Family Foundation. The program aims to increase awareness of adaptive sport competition while creating training and grant opportunities for middle and high school-aged athletes with physical challenges. On January 12^th, the first-ever adaptive track and field pre-season training session was held in both Northern and Southern California to support and prepare adaptive student athletes to join their high school teams.

“Participating in athletics is an incredible opportunity for students to find connection with their school and our goal is to create inclusive high school teams with student athletes of all abilities,” says CAF Co-Founder, Bob Babbitt. “The High School Adaptive Sports Program will help to better equip athletes, coaches, parents, administration, and healthcare providers with the resources needed for participation.”

Since 1994, the Challenged Athletes Foundation has been leading the way in the world of adaptive sports. The mission was created to answer the needs of individuals with physical challenges wanting to participate and compete in sports.

The first initiative is a six-week Adaptive Track & Field Training Program in both San Diego and Northern California. CAF will continue to offer pre-season training clinics, instructional videos, loaner equipment, online resources and grants to student athletes. CAF anticipates that these services will not only help students gain access to their high school Track & Field team but excel in the sport as well. As more high schools embrace adaptive sports, CAF promises to develop additional resources for more sports and is dedicated to begin changing the landscape of high school athletics.

We are incredibly grateful for the sponsors who made this life-changing program possible including Presenting Sponsor, the Kenneth Whalen Family Foundation and other funders: LA84 Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. Franklin P. Johnson and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation

While CAF is providing opportunities and support to those with physical challenges, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program raises awareness and funds to give every student a chance to play in youth sports. To celebrate the High School Adaptive Sports Program launch in the Bay Area, there will be an in-store event on January 26^th in the Bay Area in the Dublin, CA DICK’S Sporting Goods store.

For dates and locations of the High School Adaptive Sports Program please visit our website at https://www.challengedathletes.org/hsadaptivesports/.

To see the new library of adaptive Track & Field instructional video content, visit https://www.challengedathletes.org/track-field-videos/

For middle and high school-aged athletes who reside outside the current programming locations, please contact CAF for additional resources, contacts, or assistance at highschoolsports@challengedathletes.org.

About the Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.  Since 1994, more than $112 million has been raised and over 26,000 funding requests from people with physical challenges in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts impact another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give opportunities and support to those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles. To learn more, visit challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

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