National Veterans Wheelchair Games

August 12-17, 2014
Philadelphia, PA.

2014 Event Schedule

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) is a sports and rehabilitation program for military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or certain neurological problems.

Attracting more than 500 athletes each year, the NVWG is the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world.

The presenters of this event are committed to improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities and fostering better health through sports competition. While past Games have produced a number of national and world-class champions, the Games also provide opportunities for newly-disabled veterans to gain sports skills and be exposed to other wheelchair athletes. Typically, one quarter of the competitors have never before participated in any type of organized wheelchair sports competition.

Presenters

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), with financial assistance from corporate, civic and veteran service organizations.

Events

Competitive events at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games include air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field events, hand cycling, a motorized wheelchair rally, nine-ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting and weightlifting Athletes compete in all events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age.

Admission

Free. The public is most welcome.

The 2014 National Veterans Wheelchair Games will take place in the heart of Philadelphia. A city culturally diverse and rich in history, Veterans will have an opportunity to make history of their own.

Learn More

Attention Veterans Registered for the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games:

YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!!! Below is a link that will take you to an on-line survey regarding your participation in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. It should take you less than 5 minutes to complete. The information you give is critical. This is a pre-event survey. We will send another about a month following the event to compare the results.

The links for the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NVWGPre

Why take the time? It is very valuable to look at what the expectations are and compare those goals to actually what happened through your experience with the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. We use this information directly:
1. Your input will help make improvements to the National Veterans Wheelchair Games to improve the experience and outcomes for you and other Veterans.

2. Your information along with your fellow Veterans is shared with leadership at both the Department of Veterans Affairs, Paralyzed Veterans of America and other stakeholders to show the effectiveness of the program to help in the rehabilitation and support of Veterans. This is critical as we justify and ask for resources to improve the program.

3. Outcome data is used to develop education materials and help promote fitness, recreation and sports programs as therapeutic tools to improve the lives of Veterans with SCI, MS, Amputations, etc that use wheelchairs.

 

Volunteers are Needed!

 

Be a part of the 2014 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

If you are going to be in or around Philadelphia, August 12 – 17, 2014, a great experience awaits you!

The Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America are co-presenting the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.  Over 600 athletes from around the United States and Great Britain will visit the City of Brotherly love to compete in 19 wheelchair sporting events.

It will take more than 2500 volunteers to make this week a success.  Our Veterans need you!  There are many opportunities ranging from sporting events, greeters and assistance at the airport and dozens of other critical jobs to make the event run smoothly.

The minimum volunteer age is 14-years old.  However, individuals younger than 14 can join the “fans in the stands” and cheer on our athletes to victory.

Come one, come all.  With the sports town that Philadelphia is, what a great way to share Philly pride!!!
34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games Volunteer Application
34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games Volunteer Opportunities Listing
For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact NVWGPhillyVolunteer@va.gov

Philly: Where Heroes Make History

The city of brotherly love: where liberty lives and Rocky rules ~ is now the city where heroes will make history.

2014 Event Schedule

 

34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games
Volunteer Application

March 11, 2014

We are pleased to announce the release of the online volunteer application for the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games. There are many opportunities to volunteer for the Games throughout the week. The minimum age requirement is 14-years old.

Complete the Online Application.

If you prefer to receive a hard copy of the application, email NVWGPhillyVolunteer@va.gov.
Questions? Call (215) 823-7800 or e-mail.

Please click the link below to learn about the volunteer opportunities that are available during the Games.
34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games Volunteer Opportunities Listing

 

Boccia Clinics

Team USA Boccia, the VA and PVA hosting Boccia Clinics across the country.  Take a look at the Flyer and see if there is one in an area near you to get involved.
San Antonio, Tx April 11-13
Myrtle Beach, SC April 11-12
New Albany, IN April 16
Chicago, IL April 18
USA Boccia Nationals May 14 - 18 (Lansing, Michigan)

 

6 Months and counting to the
34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games
Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia VA Medical Center is celebrating the half-way point to the kick-off of the August 12 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.  Planning is well underway and looks like the 2014 NVWG will be one for the history books.  Make sure that you get your registrations in by April 15, 2014.

Learn More

 

44th Tri-State
Wheelchair & Ambulatory Games

Download the TSWG Application Packet

May 16 – 18, 2014
Palisades Park, New Jersey

Contact: Jimmy Cuevas (201) 435-1688

Registration Information

The Registration Deadline for the 2014 NVWG has passed:

2014 NVWG Registration
2014 Events & Rules Booklet
2014 NVWG TEP Authorization for VA Funded Travel
2014 Event Schedule

Attention Veterans Registered for the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games:

YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!!! Below is a link that will take you to an on-line survey regarding your participation in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. It should take you less than 5 minutes to complete. The information you give is critical. This is a pre-event survey. We will send another about a month following the event to compare the results.

The links for the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NVWGPre

Why take the time? It is very valuable to look at what the expectations are and compare those goals to actually what happened through your experience with the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. We use this information directly:
1. Your input will help make improvements to the National Veterans Wheelchair Games to improve the experience and outcomes for you and other Veterans.

2. Your information along with your fellow Veterans is shared with leadership at both the Department of Veterans Affairs, Paralyzed Veterans of America and other stakeholders to show the effectiveness of the program to help in the rehabilitation and support of Veterans. This is critical as we justify and ask for resources to improve the program.

3. Outcome data is used to develop education materials and help promote fitness, recreation and sports programs as therapeutic tools to improve the lives of Veterans with SCI, MS, Amputations, etc that use wheelchairs.

Mail Registrations by April 15, 2014 to:
 
Att:  Mary Hobbs
Registration, c/o Paralyzed Veterans of America
801 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006-3517.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO SWIMMING COMPETITORS at the 34th NVWG
The Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement for the Salvation Army Kroc Center must be signed prior to competition.  Please note that this is a separate agreement between the Salvation Army Kroc Center and yourself.  If you do not wish to agree to the Salvation Army’s release and have signed up to compete in Swimming Event at the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, please contact my office at (206) 407-9542 and we will assist rescheduling you in another event.
 
Please download and mail to:
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
3900 Woodland Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Attention: Melissa Senatus
National Veterans Wheelchair Games

2014 Registration Recommendations and Updates:
Event assignments are given as the registrations are received. To make sure we have a quality competition and experience, some event enrollments are limited such as Trap Shooting and Air Pistol. Get your applications in early to assure your spot.

Changes in the 2014 NVWG Registration include:

Certification for Wheelchairs and Specialty Equipment no longer needed.  Wheelchair Repair will be available, but Veterans are responsible for their equipment and that it is in proper working condition at the time of competition.

Air Pistol is a new medal sport. Participation is limited to 50 competitors. Please see Event & Rules Booklet for event rule changes (Air Pistol and Field Events have significant 2014 modifications).

Veterans must indicate whether their physician clearance is a VA or Non-VA Provider. This is to assist the VA NVWG Medical Team provide necessary response if needed.

Archery was not included in the Events and rules Booklet.  The Archery competition will:
Recurve and Compound Bows
2 Divisions: Quads 1A, 1B, 1C & Paras II, III, IV, V
Male, female
Novice, Open, Masters and Senior

For Questions, please contact the NVWG Director:
Contact the Event Director:
Dave Tostenrude, (202) 560-7352