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Message from Executive Director:
Friends,
I have learned a lot during my time at SoCal Adaptive Sports.
I have learned more about boccia than I ever thought I would know. I have learned that bowling scores are taken very seriously by certain members of our Wednesday group. And I have learned that when someone says, “Chris, I have an idea for a new program,” there is a pretty good chance that idea will eventually involve me agreeing to a crazy amount of work to make it happen.
I have also learned that starting wheelchair softball and wheelchair football presents some unique challenges.
You need athletes. You need coaches. You need specialized equipment. You need money.
And then you need somewhere to play.
That last part is surprisingly difficult. Wheelchairs don't move particularly well on grass or turf, which means many of Southern California's beautiful athletic fields aren't much help.
What we really need, apparently, is a very large parking lot.
Fortunately, we've found something much better.
As many of you have seen on social media, wheelchair softball has quickly become a regular part of SoCal Adaptive Sports, with our Rolling Halos (working title!) practicing and holding clinics at the Miracle League field at Pioneer Park in Anaheim.
We didn't get there alone.
Our founder, Mike Rosenkrantz, was the original champion for bringing wheelchair team sports to SoCal Adaptive Sports. Multiple athletes pushed us to create an opportunity for them to play the national pastime. Anaheim City Councilmember Kristen Maahs has been a tremendous advocate in helping us gain access to Pioneer Park. And Bill Greene and the Greenlight Foundation believed in what we were building early on and provided the seed funding that helped us get started.
Now, we have received some incredibly exciting news.
The Neilson Foundation has awarded SoCal Adaptive Sports a multiyear grant to help us build and expand wheelchair softball and wheelchair football in Southern California.
For those of you who have never run a small nonprofit, “multiyear grant” is one of the most beautiful phrases in the English language. It's right up there with “your grant was approved” and my personal favorite: “Chris, don't worry. Someone else already took care of it.”
Seriously, though, this grant gives us something incredibly valuable: Time to build.
It gives us the opportunity to recruit more athletes, purchase equipment, develop coaches, hold clinics, compete in tournaments and—because apparently I can't leave well enough alone—perhaps eventually host tournaments of our own.
And the timing couldn't be better.
The 2028 Paralympic Games are coming to Los Angeles, bringing extraordinary attention to adaptive and parasports. But I don't want the legacy of 2028 to simply be that we watched incredible athletes compete for a few weeks and then went back to what we were doing before.
I want a kid with a disability somewhere in Southern California to watch those Games and say: “I want to do that.”
And I want SoCal Adaptive Sports to be able to answer:
“Great. Come play.”
Sports have been part of virtually my entire life. I know what they gave me: teammates, confidence, competition, friendships, great memories, painful losses—and probably more arguments with umpires than I should admit publicly.
People with disabilities deserve every bit of that. That's what we're building. So now we're putting out the call to athletes across Southern California: If you want to play, we want to hear from you.
Whether you've played before or have never touched a softball or football, keep an eye out for more information about these programs. Come out to Anaheim. Meet the team. Give it a try.
Most importantly, come play.
Thank you to the Neilson Foundation and to everyone who has helped us get this far. We have athletes who want to play. We have people who believe in them. And now we have additional resources to build something that can last.
We just need a few more coaches, a bunch more wheelchairs...
...and, seriously, if anybody has a giant parking lot, call me.
See you out there.
Chris Allen Executive Director SoCal Adaptive Sports
Amigos,
He aprendido mucho durante mi tiempo en SoCal Adaptive Sports.
He aprendido más sobre boccia de lo que jamás imaginé que llegaría a saber. He aprendido que ciertos miembros de nuestro grupo de los miércoles se toman muy en serio sus puntuaciones de boliche. Y he aprendido que cuando alguien me dice: “Chris, tengo una idea para un nuevo programa”, existe una gran probabilidad de que esa idea termine conmigo aceptando hacer más de lo que razonablemente puedo manejar.
También he aprendido que poner en marcha programas de softball y fútbol americano en silla de ruedas presenta algunos desafíos muy particulares.
Necesitas atletas. Necesitas entrenadores. Necesitas equipo especializado. Necesitas dinero.
Y luego necesitas un lugar donde jugar.
Esa última parte es sorprendentemente difícil. Las sillas de ruedas no se desplazan muy bien sobre césped natural o artificial, lo que significa que muchos de los hermosos campos deportivos del sur de California no nos sirven demasiado.
Al parecer, lo que realmente necesitamos es un estacionamiento enorme.
Afortunadamente, hemos encontrado algo mucho mejor.
Como muchos de ustedes han visto en las redes sociales, el softball en silla de ruedas se ha convertido rápidamente en una parte habitual de SoCal Adaptive Sports. Nuestros Rolling Halos (¡nombre provisional!) ya están practicando y participando en clínicas en el campo de Miracle League en Pioneer Park, en Anaheim.
Y no llegamos hasta aquí solos.
Nuestro fundador, Mike Rosenkrantz, fue quien originalmente impulsó la idea de traer deportes de equipo en silla de ruedas a SoCal. Nuestros atletas nos animaron a crear una oportunidad para que ellos también pudieran jugar el pasatiempo nacional de Estados Unidos. La concejal de Anaheim Kristen Maahs ha sido una extraordinaria defensora de nuestro programa y nos ayudó a conseguir acceso a Pioneer Park. Y Bill Greene y la Greenlight Foundation creyeron en lo que estábamos construyendo desde el principio y nos proporcionaron los fondos iniciales que nos permitieron comenzar.
Ahora hemos recibido una noticia increíblemente emocionante.
La Neilson Foundation ha otorgado a SoCal Adaptive Sports una subvención de varios años para ayudarnos a desarrollar y ampliar nuestros programas de softball y fútbol americano en silla de ruedas en el sur de California.
Para aquellos que nunca han dirigido una pequeña organización sin fines de lucro, “subvención de varios años” es una de las frases más hermosas que existen.
Está a la altura de “su subvención fue aprobada” y de mi favorita personal: “Chris, no te preocupes. Alguien más ya se encargó de eso”.
Pero hablando en serio, esta subvención nos brinda algo increíblemente valioso:
Tiempo para construir.
Nos da la oportunidad de reclutar a más atletas, comprar equipo, formar entrenadores, organizar clínicas, competir en torneos y —porque aparentemente no puedo dejar las cosas tranquilas— quizá algún día incluso organizar nuestros propios torneos.
Y el momento no podría ser mejor.
Los Juegos Paralímpicos de 2028 llegarán a Los Ángeles, atrayendo una atención extraordinaria hacia los deportes adaptados y paralímpicos. Pero no quiero que el legado de 2028 sea simplemente que vimos a atletas increíbles competir durante unas semanas y después volvimos a hacer exactamente lo mismo que hacíamos antes.
Quiero que un niño o una niña con una discapacidad, en algún lugar del sur de California, vea esos Juegos y diga:
“Yo quiero hacer eso”.
Y quiero que SoCal Adaptive Sports pueda responder:
“Perfecto. Ven a jugar”.
Los deportes han formado parte de prácticamente toda mi vida. Sé lo que me dieron: compañeros de equipo, confianza, competencia, amistades, recuerdos increíbles, derrotas dolorosas... y probablemente más discusiones con árbitros de las que debería admitir públicamente.
Las personas con discapacidades merecen cada una de esas experiencias.
Eso es lo que estamos construyendo.
Por eso, ahora estamos haciendo un llamado a los atletas de todo el sur de California: Si quieres jugar, queremos saber de ti.
No importa si ya tienes experiencia o si nunca has tocado una pelota de softball o de fútbol americano. Mantente atento a más información sobre estos programas. Ven a Anaheim. Conoce al equipo. Pruébalo.
Y, sobre todo, ven a jugar.
Gracias a la Neilson Foundation y a todas las personas que nos han ayudado a llegar hasta aquí. Tenemos atletas que quieren jugar. Tenemos personas que creen en ellos. Y ahora contamos con recursos adicionales para construir algo que pueda perdurar.
Solo necesitamos algunos entrenadores más, muchas más sillas de ruedas...
...y, hablando en serio, si alguien tiene un estacionamiento enorme, llámeme.
Nos vemos en la cancha.
Chris Allen Director Ejecutivo SoCal Adaptive Sports
Help us create opportunities for athletes of all abilities.
Ayúdanos a crear oportunidades para atletas de todas las habilidades.
We’re back this fall for another unforgettable Adaptive Sailing Adventure in Newport Beach! Join us for a fun day on the water, try something new, and make lasting memories with our adaptive sports community. Spots are very limited, don't miss out on this adventure.
October Wheelchair Softball Practices
Our Wheelchair Softball team is growing and we're so grateful for all of the opportunities we have in store for us! We'll be back this October, so join us for monthly practices filled with teamwork, skill-building, and plenty of fun. New members are always welcome to come be part of the team and our Adaptive Sports community!
Fall is here, and there’s so much to look forward to! From new activities to exciting opportunities, SoCal Adaptive Sports is bringing our community together to play, connect, and have fun. Everyone is welcome, no matter your ability or experience level. Join us this fall and be part of a community where EveryBody belongs!
September was a great month for our Wheelchair Softball team! Our practices were a success, filled with teamwork, fun, and growing connections. We’re also grateful for an amazing grant from our incredible partners. We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to see our team continue to grow!
Adaptive Archery in Indio, CA
September is flying by for our Adaptive Archery crew! We’ve had some amazing sessions so far, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going as we finish out the month. We were also happy to welcome back a retuning friend to the range. Let’s keep up the great work and finish September strong, team. This one’s for the bullseye!
Adaptive Bowling at Indio, CA
Our Adaptive Bowling crew has been having a blast this month at Fantasy Lanes in Indio! From falling pins to plenty of smiles, our Wednesday sessions have been filled with fun, friendship, and staying active in an inclusive environment where EveryBody belongs. A special thankyou to Fantasy Lanes for helping make adaptive bowling accessible to our athletes for just $3 per game, including shoes. Starting October 7, our Wednesday sessions will begin at the new time of 12:30 PM.
We believe in the power of collaboration in leveling the playing field and truly bringing about societal inclusion. That's why we're listing these events and also websites of our friends who are doing phenomenal work! Please visit below and click on the links to find out more.
Creemos en el poder de la colaboración para igualar las condiciones de juego y lograr una verdadera inclusión social. ¡Por eso estamos enumerando estos eventos y también los sitios web de nuestros amigos que están haciendo un trabajo fenomenal! Visite a continuación y haga clic en los enlaces para obtener más información.
Boccia with Casa Colina
Casa Colina knows how to bring the heat to Boccia! We’re so excited to share the fun of adaptive sports with the Casa Colina community, creating opportunities for people of all abilities to participate, connect, and have fun. As a Paralympic sport, Boccia is a great way to promote inclusion, confidence, and teamwork. Let’s go, Casa Colina!
Over-the-Line Baseball Tournament with Triumph Foundation
We’re so grateful for partners who continue to support adaptive sports! Triumph Foundation recently hosted its Over-the-Line Baseball Tournament, where Anaheim Councilmember Kristen Maahs also connected with families discovering the adaptive field at Pioneer Park. We’re proud to have her support, including sponsoring our Wheelchair Softball League this fall. Together, we’re creating more opportunities for EveryBody to play!
Riverside Adaptive Allstars
We’re excited to team up with Riverside Parks & Recreation once again for another season of our Adaptive Allstars Program! Fall sessions run October–December, welcoming youth ages 4–17 of all abilities. Join us for a season filled with sports, friendship, fun, and opportunities to shine!
'Research Study Opportunity - Investigating Pickleball Injuries in Adaptive Athletes:
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, IL is gathering data on the injuries that occur in Adaptive Pickleball via a brief online survey. The program aims to use this data to develop an injury prevention program specific to Adaptive Pickleball given the growing popularity in the sport. The study is entirely voluntary, and all responses will remain anonymous and confidential.
If interested in participating, please complete the following survey:
We are growing our Inland Regional Center programs, including self-determination, and continue to offer 1:1 and small group coaching and workouts. If you'd like to take part and/or participate in any of our programs, please have SoCal Adaptive Sports assigned by your Regional Center Community Services Coordinator (CSC). Our Vendor number is PJ5601. We are open to many different modalities for bringing adaptive sports and physical, social, and emotional health to everyBODY!
Estamos ampliando nuestros programas del Inland Regional Center y seguimos ofreciendo entrenamiento y rutinas individuales y en grupos pequeños. Si desea participar y/o ya participa en alguno de nuestros programas, solicite a su Coordinador de Servicios Comunitarios del Centro Regional (CSC) que asigne a SoCal Adaptive Sports. Nuestro número de proveedor es PJ5601. ¡Estamos abiertos a muchas modalidades diferentes para llevar el deporte adaptado y la salud física, social y emocional a TODOS!
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Por favor, regístrese para obtener una cuenta para recibir siempre nuestro boletín y no dude en reenviar este boletín a otras personas.
We're growing! SoCal Adaptive Sports is hiring a Young Adult Skills (YAS) Program Manager in Cathedral City. We're looking for a passionate, hands-on leader who enjoys working directly with young adults with disabilities and creating meaningful opportunities for friendship, recreation, fitness, and personal growth. This is a part-time position, and the possibility of adding additional days and hours as the program grows. If you're ready to make a difference while helping build an inclusive and engaging community, we'd love to hear from you!
Important IncrediBowl Update: Due to scheduling conflicts with our partner organizations, the IncrediBowl Adaptive & Special Needs Bowling Tournament has been postponed. Thank you for your patience and understanding. A new date will be announced soon—we look forward to coming back even better!
COMING SUMMER 2026! Stay tuned for more details.
We’re gearing up for our very first IncrediBOWL Adaptive & Special Needs Bowling Tournament this Summer 2026 and we’re looking for amazing sponsors to help bring this unforgettable day to life. Join us in creating a joyful, empowering event that proves sports are for Every Ability. EveryBODY. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Chris@socaladaptivesports.org
Join us and other organizations and individuals across Riverside County and Southern California to level the playing field and create greater social inclusion!
¡Únase a nosotros y a otras organizaciones e individuos en todo el condado de Riverside y el sur de California para nivelar el campo de juego y crear una mayor inclusión social!
SoCal Adaptive Sports’ mission is to enable people with disabilities to participate inclusively throughout society by creating greater equity and inclusion through developing, planning and implementing competitive and recreational sports and other opportunities. We envision a world in which everyBODY has equitable access to leading a fulfilling life.
La misión de SoCal Adaptive Sports es permitir que las personas con discapacidades participen de manera inclusiva en toda la sociedad creando una mayor equidad e inclusión a través del desarrollo, la planificación y la implementación de deportes competitivos y recreativos y otras oportunidades. Visualizamos un mundo en el que todos tengan acceso equitativo para llevar una vida plena.
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