Arizona Disabled Sports

Arizona Disabled Sports (AzDS) provides adaptive sports and recreation opportunities for individuals with all types of disabilities. Collaborating with the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities and Mesa Public Schools, weekly adaptive sports training, recreation activities, socials and special events are available for individuals ages 6 through adulthood to increase self-confidence, improve physical health and wellness, support greater socialization and enhance overall quality of life. The Arizona Heat program is for individuals with physical disabilities or visual impairments. Sports offered include air gun & rifle, archery, bowling, cycling, kayaking, power soccer, swimming, track & field and wheelchair basketball. The Team Mesa Bulldogs program is for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Sports offered include aquatics, bocce ball, bowling, basketball, golf, floor hockey, cheerleading, soccer, swimming, tennis and track & field. Special interest classes including Zumba, theater and cooking as well as outdoor programs like Camp Carley and the California Adventure are also available. Team Mesa also hosts the TGIF Social Club, designed for individuals ages 16 and older who can function independently while in a group setting, with social opportunities offered twice per month that include anything from a trip to the museum, karaoke or a game night with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In addition to weekly programming, AzDS also hosts the Desert Challenge Games, a multi-day sports competition and World Para Athletics Grand Prix - the only event of its kind in North and South America. Athletes compete in air gun, archery, swimming and track & field events with the hope of advancing to the Adaptive Sports USA Junior Nationals, Adult National Championships or the US Veteran Games. AzDS also hosts the West Coast Conference Bid Regional Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, Pedal N' Paddle Fest and SkiAble Adaptive Alpine Experience