Wheelchair & Ambulatory Sports, USA

Sports to be Contested

1. Athletics (Track & Field)
2. Swimming
3. Archery
4. Paratriathlon

WASUSA Junior Athletes and coaches/staff are encouraged to apply for the 2013 Junior Team USA if they meet the following criteria:

1. 30’s 40’s and 50’s classifications for under 16, under 18, under 20, and under 23 age groups will compete.
2. Athletes must have 2 or more years of competition experience at the national level (such as NJDC) or other sanctioned events. Athletes must meet WASUSA emerging elite qualifying standards (Will be posted shortly).  Being a WASUSA member in good standing is encouraged!
3. Staff/coaches must have 2 years of national coaching experience.
4. Selection process will utilize qualifying emerging elite standards based upon athlete’s results from the 2012 NJDC event or other sanctioned event (which will be posted on the WASUSA website).

Additional information will be posted on the website as it is available. 
Athlete applications are due by December 28, 2012. Team will be selected January 25, 2013.

It is anticipated that the 2013 Junior Team USA will consist of 25-30 athletes with a staff of 5-7. The cost of the trip is pending further information from the Puerto Rico LOC, but will be approximately $3700. Athletes may be eligible to receive grant monies from the Challenged Athletes Fund (application date is in December  15, 2012). WASUSA is applying for additional funding to offset team costs.

Tentative Schedule of Events

Athlete Application - Due December 28, 2012.  Team will be named January 25, 2013.

Please click on the following job descriptions to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of being a staff member.

Team Leader

Assistant Team Leader

Equipment Manager

Head Coach

Assistant Coach

Medical

Track & Field

Swimming

Archery

Para-Triathlon

There are currently six categories for physically challenged athletes to compete in over the sprint paratriathlon distance including 750m swim, 20km (12.4 miles) bike or handcycle and 5km (3.1 miles) run/wheelchair.  If there are not enough athletes in each age group registered for the 2013 IWAS World Jr. Games then the plan is to combine age groups or run an open event.

The six categories are as follows:

• TRI 1 - Wheelchair user: Includes Paraplegic, Quadriplegic, Polio, Double Leg Amputee and disabilities that prevent the safe use of a conventional bicycle Must use “hand cycle” on bike course and “racing wheelchair” on the run.
• TRI 2 - Severe leg impairment,including above knee amputees. Must ride bicycle and run with above knee prosthesis or run using crutches.
• TRI 3 - Les Autres: Includes athletes with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, double leg amputee or paralysis in multiple limbs. Must ride a bicycle or tricycle and run. May use braces or prosthesis.
• TRI 4 - Arm impairment:  Includes paralysis, above elbow amputees and below elbow amputees, or impairment in both upper limbs. Must ride a bike. May use prosthesis, brace or sling on the bike and/or run.
• TRI 5 - Moderate leg impairment: Includes below-knee amputees.  Must ride a bicycle and may run with prosthesis.
• TRI 6 - Visual Impairment: Includes avisual acuity of less than 6/60 vision or visual field less than 40 degrees with best corrective vision. One guide of the same gender is mandatory throughout the race.