ANN ARBOR, MI (CBS DETROIT) – The University of Michigan’s Adaptive Sports & Fitness Program was launched in 2018.
It aims to connect people with and without disabilities to equal participation on the court, track, and field.
Both UM students and community members make up the competitive and recreational teams.
Tennis is relatively new to wheelchair basketball player Steven Tinnin. He started training in March, but says the difficult part is the high level of coordination required to play.
“It was very difficult at first, just pushing with the racket and pushing without the racket in the other hand, but the more you play, the more you get used to it,” Tinin said.
Since its launch five years ago, the adaptive sports program has expanded rapidly.
We currently have four competitive sports teams: Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, and Adaptive Track and Field.
Coach Christopher Kelly played on the program’s tennis team as a student.
“Athletes train four to seven times a week,” said Kelly, who is also the adaptive sports program coordinator. “They’re competing all over the United States. We have four athletes in our program and we’re heading to Santiago, Chile, I think next week, for the Parapan Am Games. So we’re actually , we’re trying to make sure that people can participate.” People have access and opportunity at whatever level they want to participate. ”
The program partners with local medical professionals and Ann Arbor Public Schools to increase awareness and access to the world of adaptive sports.
Kelly said all sixth-graders at AAPS will learn things like wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis, and he plans to soon expand the program to Ypsilanti.
Head athletic trainer Kurt Veach said the best part of coming to practice is seeing the players’ determination on the court.
“They’re going through their own struggles, just like everyone else,” Beach said. “And all of our players are going out there every day and competing in their respective sports and trying to do the best they can.”
Community Outreach Coordinator Emily Eitzman said, “This program has been really great. I’ve met a lot of great people and some really hard-working and talented athletes.” “And I have a lot of fun playing these sports myself.”
The team will host a tournament against Michigan State University on Nov. 18 at the Varsity Tennis Center. Admission is free and open to the public.
The Varsity Tennis Center is located at 2250 S. State St.
Learn more about UM’s Adaptive Sports & Fitness Program here.