In the late 1940s, disabled veterans from World War II began playing basketball at the Veterans Administration hospitals. What began as a form of rehabilitation and recreation 60 years ago planted the seed for competitive wheelchair sports in the United States and around the world.

Sled hockey, baseball, basketball, track, cycling, skiing, tennis, quad rugby, football, road racing – the list of organized wheelchair sports and athletics is long and impressive. Arizona is home to athletes of the highest caliber who compete in these and other sporting events at the intercollegiate level, in state, regional and national tournaments, and in the Paralympic Games.

In fact, the 2008 Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby roster for Team USA includes two Arizonans – Scott Hogsett and Andy Cohn. Both Hogsett and Cohn play on the Phoenix Heat Wheelchair Rugby Club as well.

But you don’t need to be an elite athlete to participate. The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association (AzSCIA) is working to ensure that more opportunities for wheelchair sports and recreation are available in communities throughout the state.

Paul Mortenson, Executive Director of AzSCIA, says participation in wheelchair sports varies by event. The attendance numbers certainly speak volumes.

The youth wheelchair basketball event and symposium held in December attracted a crowd of 400 people. In 2006, the over-the-line wheelchair baseball tournament brought 31 different teams from around the country to the Valley to compete against each other. About 3,000 people attended that event.

“One of our organization’s goals is to help sponsor and promote sports programs in Arizona,” explains Mr. Mortenson. AzSCIA’s website includes an online calendar of events for active individuals of all skill levels and ages.

AzSCIA also works with the Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled, which offers several programs to the community, says Mr. Mortenson. He adds that planned activities such as ski trips and white water rafting are very popular.

In Southern Arizona, the Disability Resource Center at the University of Arizona in Tucson is the hub of activity for many athletes with disabilities.

With the largest disability sports program in the United States, the university’s Adaptive Athletics program offers five different sports: men and women’s wheelchair basketball, tennis, track, goalball, and quad rugby.

Players on the men’s wheelchair basketball team must be full-time students to participate because the team competes in the Central Intercollegiate Conference. The other sports are part of the community programs and are open to community members.

The Disabilities Resource Center has a fully accessible gym on the University of Arizona campus where individuals can work out or continue physical therapy as outpatients. Other programs for community members with disabilities are offered through the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Therapeutics department.

Pete Hughes, head coach of the wheelchair track program at the University of Arizona, says that wheelchair sports are very competitive and relatively high contact.

“They really require excellent cognitive skills and abilities, and athletes who compete need to think strategically,” he says. As a result, each athlete’s abilities are assessed very carefully.

Mr. Hughes, who played on the Tucson Lobos wheelchair basketball team until this year, also oversees the Juniors Active in Wheelchair Sports (JAWS) program in Tucson. Geared to youth ages 9 to17, JAWS focuses on teaching youth in wheelchairs adaptive team and individual sports. Participants attend different recreational and competitive sports events and activities during the year. They also have opportunities to form mentoring relationships with the University of Arizona Wildchairs.

To encourage more youth to join the JAWS program, Mr. Hughes says that they are inviting siblings to join in the fun. “We not only want youth with disabilities to come out, but we can teach their siblings how to play wheelchair sports, too” he says.

Whether for fun, fitness or competition, wheelchair sports have come a long way. No matter the age, skill level or experience, there is something for everyone.