“Let NO ONE Sit on the SIDELINES”

Continuum of Support for the Developmental to Elite Athlete

By: Cindy Housner,

Executive Director and Founder

Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association

A Journey: Developmental to Elite Can We Do It All…and Do It Well?

Yes – with resources, collaboration and a plan…but a flexible plan.

Variety of Talent

Desire

Work Ethic

Support

Evaluate Your Players/Team

Age

Transportation

Work Ethic

Motivation

Talent

Available Resources

Annual Goal Setting

Include Coach

Minimal Involvement of parents

Season and long-term goals

– 1 to 4 years

Develop workouts and season

plan based on goals

Sample Goal Setting Forms

Developmental Athlete

More simple

Learn basic rules and sports techniques

Emphasize skill development

Socialization

Practice less frequently – once a week

Competition – scrimmages, local, keep fun

Equipment - basic

Ethan’s Workout Hard 1. 10 minute warm-up 2. 15x 30 seconds sprint, 30 sec. jog 3. Rest 1 minute after every 3rd set 4. 5-8 minute cool-down

Medium 1. 10 minute warm-up 2. Try to hit max speed 3x 3. 10x 20 second sprint, 40 second jog 4. 5-8 minute cool-down

Easy 1. 10 minute warm-up 2. 20 minute solid pushing 3. 5 minute cool-down (mainly focus on your

stroke and bringing your elbows high and hitting the rim 2-7)

Competitive Athlete

May need more

resources than your

program or coach is

able to provide.

Incorporate School-Based Programming

• PE Program

•Weight Program

•Sport Specific Inclusion

•Track, Swim

Youth Non School-Based Programming

•Cross-training with Youth Club such as

swim, track, hockey

•Health Club – Yoga, Pilates, Lifting, Swim

•Other Sport Programming

Adult Athletes

College:

– Train with their school team,

able-bodied

– Find a USATF Club, USA

Swimming, USA Hockey, USTA,

etc.

– If no team sport, encourage your

athletes to start a club sport at

their University.

Example: NIU Goalball Team

Adult Athletes

Non-College:

– Calendar

– Trainer

– Health Club – Reduced Fees

– Additional Resources

– Introduction to facilities for on-going practices

– Conduct weekly practices or bi-weekly practice

and supplement with additional resources.

Success = Support + Collaboration

Who in your community

can you partner with to

strengthen your

programming?

is

•College and High School Coaches

•Club Sports

•Health Clubs

•Trainers

•Physicians

•Nurses, PT, OT, TR, ST

•Prosthetists

•Adaptive Sport Clubs

•PE Teachers

•Athletic Directors

•Parks and Recreation Programs

•Rehabs, Hospitals, Outpatient

Clinics, VA Centers/Hospitals

•University and College Professors in

the Health Fields

Who Needs to Connect?

Adaptive Sports Clubs Provide Training and Support Such As:

Equipment

Competitions

Classification

Goal Setting

Travel

Calendars

Team Camaraderie

Coaching

Statistics

Athlete Development Fund

Provide options for the developmental to the more competitive athlete

Sponsorship

OTHER

Code of Conduct: Coaches, Parents, Athletes (Youth & Adult)

Media and Sponsorship

Athlete Development Fund

Season Sports Meeting

Athletes Stats

Weather

Remote Athletes

Travel

National Disabled Sports Organizations

Adaptive Sports, USA

Athletics For All - DSUSA

Disabled Sports, USA – DSUSA

United States Association of Blind Athletes – USABA

United States Paralympics – USP

Sport Specific Falcons Hockey Association (FHA)

IL Swimming

USA Swimming

United States Tennis Association (USTA)

Chicago Bears

Northern Illinois Hockey Association (NIHA)

United States Golf Association (USGA)

USA Hockey (USAH)

Dare2Tri Paratriathalon

United States Track & Field (USTF)

United States Track & Field Illinois

Gurnee Judo Club United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA)

United States Para Powerlifting

National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA)

Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA)

Illinois State High School Athletic Association (ISHSAA)

University of Illinois – Champaign

University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

Wheelchair USA, Track & Field (WUSATF)

Community Partners • College of Lake County

• Chicago Park District; Rehab

Institute of Chicago

• Chicago, Lurie Children’s Hospital • Milwaukee Public Schools –

Recreation

• World Sports Chicago

• Special Recreation Associations

• Wisconsin Adaptive Athletic

Association

• Milwaukee VA

• Jessie Wood VA

• Hines VA

• Rush Athletics

• NorthShore Healthcare

• Rust-oleum

• Grainger

• Jenny Spangler Running Club

• Synergy

• Wisconsin Adaptive Sports

Assoc.

• Crossfit

• American Legion

• AmVets

• IL Veterans Association

• WI PVA

• Adaptive Adventures

• Illinois & Wisconsin Spina Bifida

Association

• Next Steps

• Illinois & Wisconsin Spinal Cord

Association

• Wide range of school districts, YMCA’s, Park Districts & Special Recreation

Associations.

• Rosalind Franklin University

• Falcons Hockey

• A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center

• Northshore Yoga

• Lake Forest College

• USATF IL and WI

• Northern Illinois University

Season: Year-round

Collaborators/Partners USATF

Illinois State High School Athletic Association

Wisconsin State High School Athletic Association

TRX Cross Training

Jenny Spengler’s Olympic Running Club

Coaches

*Dave Bogenschutz - High Performance and Ambulatory

*Amie Day - Wheelchair Athletes

Eileen Shaughnessy - Seating & Positioning, Beginning, Wheelchairs, and

Team Registrations

*Randy Housner - Long Jump and Javelin

*Kevin Hosea, Tom Huene - Seated Throws

**Gail Daily - Ambulatory Throws

Staff Support

*Nicole Verneuille

*Cindy Housner

Tom Daily *USATF Level 1/USP Track and Field Certified, **in progress

Sports Plan: Track and Field

Training Locations:

Summer: Warren Township High School

Fall/Winter/Spring: Lake Forest College, Lake Forest High School, Evanston HS, Rush Athletics

Competition Season: Two to three indoor meets during winter*

Desert Challenge

DASA Meet

United States Paralympic Track & Field Nationals

Dairyland Meet

Fast Cow

Great Lakes Regional Games and Adult National Open

National Junior Disability Championships

IWAS - Invite Only

GLASA Twilight 5K

Additional six 5K, 10K and Half Marathons

Chicago Marathon

Milwaukee Running Festival

*Attendance at meets based on funding. High School students compete on their school team.

Camps and Clinics:

Spring Track & Field Officials Clinic

Wheelchair Track Clinic and Ambulatory Track Clinic

Gateway to Gold

Clinic to Wisconsin State High School Athletic Association

Clinic to Illinois State High School Athletic Association

Track & Field Clinics to Injured Military at Milwaukee VA

GLASA provides a track & field coach for Wisconsin VA Team for the National Veteran Wheelchair

Games

Track & Field coaching for visually impaired at Ottis & Farnsworth in Chicago

Conducting Practices

Diversify Your Coaches – Plan. What does the season look like?

• Youth vs. Adult

• Rec vs. Tournament Team

• Travel vs. Local

• Field vs. Track: Sprinters, Jumps, Wheelchair, Throws

(Seated vs. Ambulatory)

Keep your “star” coach free to wander.

Certifications?

Level of Expertise?

Time Segments

Allow longer time for more competitive athletes.

Overlap time for all levels of athletes for team

atmosphere.

Assign additional practice time for returning and more

competitive athletes.

Bring entire team together for

Team Meetings

Socials

Education

Elite Athlete

• IPC License – Internationally Paralympic

Classified

• Choosing competitions – based on skill

& competitors

• Equipment: Higher level sleds, chairs,

blades, etc.

• Nutrition

• Video Analysis

• Calendar

• Sports Psychology

• Aware of Sports Performance Plan

• Medical Support – Trainers, Prosthetists

OUTREACH

Ambulance Chaser

School/Assembly Presentations

On the Athletic Field or Pool Deck

On the Sidelines

Schools

Medical Facilities

Utilize your Competitions as Introductions to

Sport

Competitions

One-on-one follow-up is crucial

Parties - Giveaways

Cross Sport Recruitment

Parents – Coaches – Athletes - Business

Cards

The Successful Athlete

Developmental

- Good Habits:

- Attend Practice

- Be On Time

- Sportsmanship

Competitive – Elite

- Know Your Competition

- College Programs

- High Performance

Coaches

- Competitions

- Clinics/Camps

Team GLASA Track and Field Welcome Meeting

o What is An Athlete?

o Introduction of Coaches and Athletes

o Philosophy

o Practice Calendar

o Competition Calendar

o Review Questions

o Important Reminders

o Shirts/Singlets

o Equipment

o Financial Resources

o Code of Conduct: Social Media

o Giving Back

o Hotel Blocks – Desert Challenge, DASA, Rio Trials, NJDC

For those who would like to stay:

o 2016 USP Sports Performance Plan

o Power Point Presentation-Sports Psychology

o Goal Setting

Dr. Paul Wright

Associate Professor of Exercise Science

Lindenwood University

St. Charles, Missouri

Psychological Skills Training for the Elite Athletes:

What Takes Athletes from Kindergarten to the Paralympics?

High Motivation & Commitment

Goal Oriented

Optimistic & Positive

Extreme Focus

Ability to Handle Stress & Adversity

Mental Toughness

Sport Intelligence

1. Personal Sacrifice

2. Years of Preparation

3. Incredible Self-Belief

4. Never-Give-Up Attitude

5. Extreme Dedication

6. Pressure Performer

7. Intense Focus

8. High Motivation

9. Competitive Streak

10. Desire to Achieve/Win

11. Positive Attitude

12. Resiliency

13. Ability to Handle Stress

14. Patience

15. Intense PASSION

16. Understand More You Put in – More You Get Out

17. Self-Confidence

18. Can Keep Deadlines

19. Strict Routine

20. Healthy Perfectionism

1. Choose and maintain a positive attitude

2. Maintain a high level of self-motivation

3. Set high & realistic goals

4. Deal effectively with people

5. Use positive self-talk

6. Use positive self-imagery

7. Manage anxiety effectively

8. Manage emotions effectively

9. Maintain concentration

Mission

Provide the tools and guidelines by which coaches,

athletic directors and school administrators can include

students with physical disabilities in interscholastic

sports.

INCLUSION

• Rehab act of 1973 requires that students with disabilities be provided equal opportunity for participation in extracurricular athletic programs

• U.S. Depart e t of Educatio ’s Office of Civil Rights OCR issued Dear Colleague Letter issued clarification in January 2013 – Clarifies when and how schools must include students with

disabilities in mainstream athletics programs

– Defines what true equal treatment of students athletes with disabilities means

– Encourages and provides a road map for schools to create adapted programs for students with physical disabilities

SPORT MODELS

• Integrated (mainstream/inclusive): Students with disabilities participate alongside students without disabilities

- Track and Field - Swimming

- Tennis

- Alpine Skiing

• Adapted: Disability specific sports

- Wheelchair basketball

- Sitting Volleyball

- Boccia

- Goalball

• Unified/Modified: Sports designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities and can include individuals with physical disabilities

- Special Olympics Unified Sport Program

COACHING RESOURCES • Paralympic Coaching Guide

• The Guide includes a number of resources including information on the U.S. Paralympic

pipeline, coaching training certifications, sport fact sheets and information on how

athletes become a U.S. Paralympian.

• American Development Model

• The USOC, in partnership with the national governing bodies, created the American

Development Model in 2014 to help Americans realize their full athletic potential and

utilize sport as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle.

• SafeSport

• We all have a role to play in creating a healthy setting for sport. SafeSport helps raise

awareness about misconduct in sport, promote open dialogue, and provide training and

resources. When we work as a team, we can build a game plan to make sport safe―for everyone.

• US Paralympics: http://www.teamusa.org/us-paralympics

• Coaches Manual

MORE RESOURCES

• Team USA Mobile Coaches App

• Free, web-based software app that gives coaches access to drills and resources from the United States Olympic Committee and United States Association of Blind Athletes, complete with diagrams, videos and other informational documents.

• Gateway to Gold App

• The app allows Paralympic hopefuls to watch sport demonstration videos, test their skills and then submit their own videos directly to U.S. Paralympic coaches. Athletes will receive follow-up steps that may include connections to local training programs, coaching, competition or other performance opportunities.

• Sport Specific Certifications such as:

• US Paralympic Track & Field Coaching Certification

• US Paralympic Powerlifting Certification

• USA Hockey

• National Wheelchair Basketball Association

• USA Swimming

RESOURCES (CON’T.)

• Adaptive Sports USA

• GLASA is a chapter of Adaptive Sports USA which is a multi-sport organization providing recreation

opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and

also providing resources, outreach, education, and

competitive opportunities to members.

• Disables Sports USA – Athletics for All

• DSUSA oversees the Athletics for All task force, a group aimed at ensuring all athletes have access to

extra-curricular sports opportunities within their own

high school.

• United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) • United States Power Soccer Association

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS Here are a variety of grant and scholarship opportunities:

• Specifically to financially assist U.S. Paralympians and other Paralympic-eligible athletes.

• Athlete Tuition Grant Program

• Winter Games Legacy Scholarship

• Athletes Helping Athletes • Provides opportunity for an athlete to receive an adaptive cycle.

• Challenged Athletes Foundation • Provides opportunity to seek grant for training, travel, or equipment.

• Disabled Sports USA • Youth Grants for a variety of programs and income-based scholarships.

• E-Team for emerging athletes.

• U. S. Association of Blind Athletes • Scholarships for the I C You Foundation Valor Achievement Award and Copeland Scholarship

• Women’s Sports Foundation • Travel & Training Fund

• Kelly Brush Foundation

Articles and Publications

University Adapted Athletics Programs

Auburn University (Alabama)

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men & women (*does not compete with other collegiate teams), wheelchair tennis

Website: http://www.auadaptive.org/

Edinboro University (Pennsylvania)

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men & women

Website: http://www.gofightingscots.com/page.cfm?sport=359

Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association Collegiate Tennis Team (Michigan)

Sport(s): Wheelchair tennis

Website: http://www.grwsa.com/

Grand Valley State University (Michigan)

Sport(s): Wheelchair tennis

Website: http://www.gvsustudentlifesports.com/coach/0/24.php

Michigan State University (Michigan)

Sport(s): Swimming, Goal Ball, Wheelchair Tennis, & Wheelchair Basketball (*does not compete with other collegiate)

Website: http://recsports.msu.edu/adaptive/index.html

Oklahoma State University

Sport(s): Wheelchair Basketball - Men (*does not compete with other collegiate teams)

Website:http://campusrec.okstate.edu/adaptivesport/wheelchairbasketball

Penn State University

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men & women (*does not compete with other collegiate teams), track and field, swimming, weightlifting, powerlifting

Website: http://www.athletics.psu.edu/ability/opportunities.html

Southwest Minnesota State University

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men

Website: http://smsumustangs.com/index.aspx?path=wheelbball

University of Alabama

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men & women, wheelchair tennis, adapted rowing, adapted golf

Website: http://uads.weebly.com/

University of Arizona

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men & women (*does not compete with other collegiate teams), wheelchair track/road racing, wheelchair tennis, quad

rugby

Website: http://drc.arizona.edu/athletics

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men & women, wheelchair track/road racing (*Both sports are Varsity level within the University)

Website: http://disability.illinois.edu/athletics

University of Missouri

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men

Website:http://www.mizzourec.org/programs/wheelchair_basketball/

University of Texas-Arlington

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men & women, wheelchair tennis, swimming, cycling, weightlifting

Website: http://www.uta.edu/movinmavs/

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Sport(s): Wheelchair basketball - men & women

Website: http://www.uww.edu/recsports/wcathletics/

Wright State University (Ohio)

Sport(s): Adapted athletics

Website: http://www.wright.edu/students/rec/

United States Olympic Committee - DeVry University Team USA athletes will have the opportunity to attend career-oriented programs and earn an associate, bachelor's or master's degree, or certificate while

pursuing their primary goal of achieving Olympic and Paralympic success. Special scholarships and tuition savings are available through the USOC and

DeVry University.

You may qualify for one of the following awards by submitting the Scholarship Application:: *A full, one-year scholarship *30% tuition savings

For more information, please visit http://www.teamusa.org/for-athletes/career-and-educational-resources/devry-university

EQUIPMENT RESOURCES

• Build it – Shop class assistance (throwing chairs)

• Grants for equipment. Go online to:

http://www.challengedathletes.org

o Deadline is the first week of December every year.

• Fundraisers to purchase equipment

o DECA, leadership groups, PTO groups, ASB, Church groups,

dances, school challenges, etc.

o Merchants:

• www.eaglesportschairs.com ( racing chairs, throwing chairs,

gloves)

• www.topendwheelchair.com (racing chairs)

• www.sportaid.com (racing chairs and gloves)

• www.harnessdesigns.com (racing gloves)

The glory of sport comes from dedication,

determination and desire. Achieving success

and personal glory in athletics has less to do

with wins and losses than it does with

learning how to prepare yourself so that at

the end of the day, whether on the track or in

the office, you know that there was nothing

more you could have done to reach your

ultimate goal.

~ Jackie Joyner-Kersee