Adult Sports & Activities
Wheelchair Tennis
Nebraska Adaptive Sports has begun offering adaptive tennis in 2024. For more information: info@nebraskaadaptivesports.org
Wheelchair Softball
Wheelchair softball is played under the official rules of 16” slow pitch softball as approved by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), with several exceptions. The game is played on a paved surface; usually a designated wheelchair softball field or a parking lot. NAS’ team is called the Nebraska Barons and is a member of the National Wheelchair Softball Association (www.wheelchairsoftball.org).
NAS has sent a team to most of the 38 annual national wheelchair softball tournaments. The Barons generally practice once a week during the summer and participates in several tournaments in the Midwest U.S. each year. The Barons were national champions in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Who may participate? Generally, anyone with a permanent disability to a lower extremity can play wheelchair softball. Every player needs to be “certified” to determine eligibility and level of disability. Men and women are invited to play on our team. For more information: info@nebraskaadaptivesports.org
Wheelchair Basketball
Men’s Wheelchair Basketball is played on a regulation court using NCAA men’s basketball rules with some exceptions. Rules for dribbling and lane violations are the main exceptions. NAS’ team is sponsored by Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital (www.madonna.org) in Lincoln, NE and is called the Madonna Magic. The Magic participate in the Midwest Conference of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (www.nwba.org). Our team generally practices once a week during the fall and winter and participates in several tournaments in the Midwest U.S. each year. Who may participate? Generally, anyone with a permanent disability to a lower extremity can play wheelchair basketball. Every player needs to be “certified” to determine eligibility and level of disability. Men and women and children may play on our men’s team. For more information: info@nebraskaadaptivesports.org
Sitting Volleyball
This sport is played from a seated position on a modified volleyball court. A regulation sitting volleyball court is 6m x 10m, and the net is 1.15m for men and 1.0m for women. Other than the court setup, the same rules apply as for traditional volleyball. Athletes must have a physical disability that limits their ability to play the game of Volleyball as we know it: standing up. This typically includes athletes who are affected by amputation (of the arm or leg), major knee tears, polio, knee or hip replacements, or any major muscle loss. In fact, by eliminating jumping, which can be adversely affected by disability or age, Sitting Volleyball (www.sittingvolleyball.org) puts all players on a level playing field and brings disabled and able-bodied individuals together to play an enjoyable sport without limiting anyone’s abilities. The local team is Nebraska High Rollers. They practice at the Nebraska Elite Sports and Fitness Club within the Volleyball Center. The season runs January – June. This is a Paralympic Sports Club Omaha event and is sponsored by Nebraska Adaptive Sports, Creighton Alegent Health Immanuel Rehab Center, Great Plains Volleyball and the Volleyball Center. For more information contact: rasmussenbrent@yahoo.com or jmunson@alegent.org
Quad Rugby
Quad Rugby, also known as “murderball”, is a wheelchair sport originally developed in Canada. In 1981 the sport was introduce in the United States and has become one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the U.S. with more than 45 organized teams. Quad Rugby is both an international sport and a competitive sport in the Paralympic Games. Players have various disabilities, but all must have impairments in at least three out of four limbs. Players are given a classification number ranging from .5 to 3.5. The players with .5 classifications have the greatest impairments and play defensive positions. While players with higher classification numbers have lesser impairments and play offensive positions. Quad Rugby players use special reinforced wheelchairs that can withstand the high energy, competitive play of the sport. The local team The Midwest Rugby Rebels (rugbyrebels.wetpaint.com) formed in early 2007, under the sponsorship of BlazeSports Omaha, a partnership between the Eastern Nebraska Wheelchair Athletic Association, Alegent Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center, Great Plains Paralyzed Veterans of America. Our team is based in Omaha, and the players come from Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. Practices are held at the Great Plains PVA in Omaha and Madonna ProActive in Lincoln, The Midwest Rugby Rebels practice typically from September thru April and compete in regional tournaments and host a local tournament. For more information contact: info@nebraskaadaptivesports.org
Bocce Ball
This is an Italian lawn game which is adapted to play indoors. This is an exciting game of accuracy and strategy. The athletes can participate individually or as a team. The court is measured out on a gym floor. Together or individually the athletes strategize to see how many of their thrown Bocce Balls will score them points by tossing the balls closest to the target ball. An athlete of all abilities can participate and are allowed to have an aid assist if necessary. There are ramps available if a person is unable to toss the ball with his/her hands. This is a Paralympic Sports Club Omaha event and is sponsored by Common Spirit Health Immanuel Rehab Center and Paralyzed Veterans of America. The sessions are held at the Paralyzed Veterans of America located at 7612 Maple Street beginning in May. For more information contact: jmunson@alegent.org
Sled Hockey
Sled hockey is the adaptive form of ice hockey. This sport is a fast-growing sport in the U.S. and around the world. Sled hockey is played like traditional hockey on a standard rink with regulation-sized goals, six players per team, and three fifteen-minute periods per game. Players sit in specially designed sleds that rest on skate blades. They use two short hockey sticks with a blade on one end to control the puck and metal picks on the other end of the sticks to propel the sled across the ice. Sled hockey is fun and exciting at every level. it is fast-paced and every bit as physical as traditional hockey when played at the highest levels.
Nebraska Adaptive Sports is excited to offer this opportunity to the community.
Other Sports
NAS has supported other adult wheelchair sports such as rugby and snow skiing depending on the interests of our current membership. We are always interested in exploring new programs, so let us know if there is a sport you would like us to consider. For more information contact: info@nebraskaadaptivesports.org