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AIRS was formed and is led by community volunteers, most of whom are University of Georgia graduates or students.

Participants are being sought for Athens Inclusive Recreation and Sports’ first wheelchair basketball clinic which will be held at 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 at Tuckston United Methodist Church.

AIRS, a nonprofit organization that provides adapted sports activities for people with disabilities in the Athens area, encourages interested University of Georgia students, faculty, staff or community members, with or without disabilities, to participate in making the experience fun for all.

This is the only wheelchair basketball event for now, until AIRS determines if there is enough interest to schedule more. The rules are similar to regular basketball. Five-on-five players, 10-foot hoops. The only difference is the wheelchairs. Timed quarters vary by league but AIRS will do four 8-minute quarters.

The event is being made possible through a partnership with BlazeSports America, a national nonprofit organization that is the legacy organization of the 1996 Paralympic Games held in Atlanta. BlazeSports America is providing the wheelchairs for the clinic and Tuckston United Methodist Church is providing the space.

AIRS was formed and is led by community volunteers, most of whom are University of Georgia graduates or students. The organization provides recreation and sports programming to promote greater wellness and quality of life for its participants and their communities. It is inclusive of all individuals and all abilities, regardless of limitations, with the goal of expanding understanding and recognition through adapted activities.

Over the last year, AIRS has been developing a variety of adapted sports programs which include:

• Power Soccer
• Beep Kickball
• Beep Baseball
• Goal Ball
• Kayaking
• Wheelchair Tennis

AIRS welcomes people with and without disabilities to participate in their programs. The group is currently recruiting volunteers and players in each one of the sports listed above. For more information, visit: www.airs-ga.org/