USA Curling receives grant to increase participation in wheelchair curling

October 30, 2012

The United States Curling Association (USCA) has received a grant from the Olympic Opportunity Fund to help advance its wheelchair curling outreach programs. To read the complete press release, click here.

CURLING: U.S. Curling Association receives grant to increase participation in wheelchair curling

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 30, 2012

U.S. Curling Association receives grant to increase participation in wheelchair curling

(STEVENS POINT, Wis.) - The United States Curling Association (USCA) has received a grant from the Olympic Opportunity Fund to help advance its wheelchair curling outreach programs.

The Olympic Opportunity Fund is provided through a partnership between the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 were provided to USOC partner organizations to increase the number and quality of opportunities for physically and visually impaired veterans to participate in physical activity within their home communities and in more advanced Paralympic sport programs.

"Thanks to the generous support from the United States Olympic Committee and the Department of Veterans Affairs, we are excited for the opportunity to introduce the sport of wheelchair curling to our injured service members and veterans," said Marc Deperno, USA Curling's national wheelchair outreach and development program director. "We aim to provide an athletic experience that will serve as a gateway to continued recreational or competitive opportunities and ultimately enrich their lives."

The USCA aims to conduct at least four outreach clinics during the 2012-13 season and estimates at least 50 disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces will be served. The purpose of the program is to identify, recruit, train, and support Paralympic-eligible athletes in an effort to improve their quality of life and potentially become internationally competitive. As a result, the USCA believes the participants will have a positive experience and opportunity to continue with the lifelong sport of curling.

The grant funds will be used to conduct a minimum of four outreach clinics throughout the United States by June 30, 2013, to introduce wheelchair curling and recruit disabled veterans to the national program; provide opportunities for clinic attendees to participate in a mini competition during the wheelchair curling clinics, and for the purchase of at least eight delivery sticks needed for the clinics.

In its third year, the Olympic Opportunity Fund has provided more than $4 million to 223 USOC partner and community programs, resulting in thousands of veterans with physical and visual impairments who are participating in sport programs and opportunities at the regional and national levels.

Since 2001, the USCA has supported national development of wheelchair curling. The association's mission continues to focus on providing education and training in the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling to individuals with disabilities in an effort to improve their quality of life by attaining personal achievement and encouraging social interaction, as well as provide an opportunity to represent our country at the Paralympic level.

USA Curling is sponsored by AtomAmpd, Brooms Up Curling Supplies, Nike, RAM Brewery & Restaurant and Sitrin Health Care, and is partnered with CurlingZone.com.

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For more information: Terry Kolesar, USA Curling, terry.kolesar@usacurl.org, 715-344-1199, Ext. 202, or 608-338-9900 (cell).