15 Years of Transforming Lives Through Adaptive Sports!
For fifteen years, Sportable has been providing a range of athletic opportunities for people with physical disabilities and visual impairments in the Richmond region. While the global coronavirus has affected us all in the past few months, the Sportable family remains resilient.
We invite you to join us in celebration as we take inventory of what you have made possible over the past 15 years and look toward a renewal of activities in the months to come.
If you haven’t already, check out our vibrant social media platforms.
#WeAreSTILLSportable
Through The Years
2005
Conceived by VCU graduate student Kristen Lessig-Schenerlein and her colleague, Sportable is founded because they saw a need for organized adaptive sports in the RVA community — especially in the veteran population.
2005
Sportable launches it’s first ever program, Power Soccer.
2006
Sportable adds youth Wheelchair Basketball to become the second sports program offered. The youth, in their everyday chairs, would practice with the Richmond Rim Riders at Humphrey Caulder.
2006
Sportable added Wheelchair Tennis, now offering three sports programs. Karin Korb, a Paralympic tennis star, kicked off the program with a tennis clinic.
2007
Sportable began to offer Recreational Cycling at Bryant Park. This was made possible by local wheelchair vendors that loaned Sportable hand cycles.
2007
Sportables first Rock Climbing program takes place at Peak Experiences.
2008
A $100,000 grant from the Veteran’s Administration via the U.S. Paralympic Committee helps to establish a more formalized organization and leads Lessig-Schenerlein to a new full time career as Executive Director.
2009
Sportable brings Wheelchair Lacrosse to their programs. The Crush compete at the national level as part of Wheelchair Lacrosse USA (WLUSA).
2010
Sportable establishes the Changing Perceptions in Schools program for students grades K-12, focusing on disability awareness, etiquette, and the impact of adaptive sports on people with disabilities.
2011
Sportable re-branded as part of a 3 year strategic plan to enhance the PR and Marketing initiative.
2012
First ever Sportable Tailgate
2014
Sportable hosted the 2014 Annual Mid-Atlantic Wheelchair Games on April 4-6. The 42nd annual games were held at various venues throughout the Greater Richmond, Va., area including Sports Backer Stadium, Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership, and Colonial Shooting. This event featured air rifle, archery, track and field, weightlifting, and swimming.
2014
Hunter Leemon is named the organization’s second-ever Executive Director.
2015
Sportables youth wheelchair basketball team, the Spokes become part of the NWBA and attend their first-ever Nationals in Louisville, KY.
2016
Wheelchair racer Alexa Halko is the youngest athlete on the entire U.S. Paralympic team at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, taking home two silver medals and one bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Track and Field Team.
2017
Sportable merges with 40+ year old storied wheelchair basketball team, the Rim Riders, through the support of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Mid-Atlantic Chapter.
2017
Sportable began serving three year olds in the swimming program. This was an important milestone for the organization to engage youth in adaptive sports from an early age.
2018
Sportable is the recipient of two grants that enable the organization to establish the first Wheelchair Rugby team, the Sportable Possums.
2019
Sportable announces the inception of the Associate Board and the Athlete Advisory Council to support the organization through advocacy, fundraising, and program support.
2019
The first-ever RVA Adaptive Sports Festival attracts over 300 attendees to experience interactive demonstrations and exhibitions of more than a dozen adaptive sports programs.
2020
Upcoming Events
Sportable Stampede Virtual 5K
Sportable, Central Virginia’s premier adaptive sports club, presents the first annual Sportable Stampede Virtual 5k. Push, run, walk, or trample your way through 3.1 miles at a location of your choice this May to help transform the lives of athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments in Central Virginia.
Wayne Samford Memorial Golf Tournament – May 10, 2021
The 7th Annual Wayne Samford Memorial Golf Tournament will be returning to The Dominion Club on Monday, May 10, 2021.
River City Slam – June 11-13, 2021
Sanctioned by the USTA, the River City Slam is open to all levels, including first-time players in divisions A, B, C, D, and Juniors.
“Being part of team is something that I thought I had lost forever. Playing at a national wheelchair lacrosse tournament where hundreds of fans cheer you on is exhilarating. I feel like an athlete. Sportable gives me an outlet to be competitive on the playing field.”