Wheelchair Basketball Tournament this weekend

October 2, 2012 North Myrtle Beach SC - This Saturday and Sunday, visitors and residents have a chance to see some great basketball played with determination and guts.  The invitational Beach Blast Wheelchair Tournament will be held at the North Myrtle Beach Aquatics and Fitness Center (AFC). 

Get there at 9 am on Saturday and see teams from Willington, Lumberton, Charleston and Augusta compete in a round robin format.  Return on Sunday at 9 am for the finals. The winner will get well deserved bragging rights.  The event is open to the public with no admission charge.

“The four teams are coming from the Carolinas Wheelchair Basketball Conference “said Melinda Chappell, AFC Director.  The Conference is comprised of ten teams from Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.  The AFC center will be hosting the Carolinas Wheelchair Basketball Conference will host the championship in March of next year.

“The event this week is a sporting event and a chance to let folks know about the opportunity to play at a competitive level even when handicapped. There is a desire to form a local team,” said Chappell, who had coached wheelchair athletics prior to coming to North Myrtle Beach.

Courtesy of Sports Mobility NetworkIn their second year, the Sports Mobility Network (an Horry County based group) has about 5 or six mobility limited members along with about the same number of active supporters, coaches and enthusiasts. Last year, the ACF and Sports Mobility Network hosted a basketball clinic and practice for persons with limited ambulatory ability with the intent of forming a competitive basketball team.  Their goal is to involve mobility limited individuals to sporting activities such as tennis, basketball, field events, bocce ball and bowling.  “Every Thursday we schedule some activity,” commented Chappell.

The Sports Mobility Network provided support to the Southeast Wheelchair Sports Association competition held in North Myrtle Beach this past April. The event draws high ranking wheelchair athletes that compete throughout the world.

While they get support from the North Myrtle Beach Pilot Club who have in the past donated a wheelchair, Chappell says, “We have 5 sports wheelchairs, but we need eight to ten to really create a basketball team. And we need equipment like tennis racquets, balls etc.“

Anyone interested in helping out should contact Melinda Chappell at 843-280-5632 or check them out at www.sportsmobilitynetwork.org