The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) recently welcomed athletes and coaches from across the Southeast and stretching up the East Coast for its largest-ever Wheelchair Basketball Summer Camp, hosted at Charles Drew High School in partnership with Clayton County Public Schools.
The two-day camp brought together 55 participants, including 41 student-athletes and 14 coaches, representing school districts and adapted sports programs from across Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and even Massachusetts. Designed to help athletes sharpen their skills while preparing coaches for the upcoming season, the camp provided an outstanding opportunity for learning and growth.
Throughout the camp, participants focused on the fundamentals that build championship teams. Athletes developed wheelchair mobility skills, including pushing techniques, stopping, turning, and pivoting, while also working on ball handling, passing, offensive spacing, defensive strategies, and overall game concepts. Coaches received valuable instruction and teaching strategies that they can bring back to their local programs.
- Atlanta Public Schools – Atlanta Wolfpack
- Clarke County Public Schools – Clarke Classic City Dawgs
- Clayton County Public Schools – Clayton Eagles
- Gwinnett County Public Schools – Gwinnett Heat
- Henry County Schools, Parks & Recreation & Griffin-Spalding RESA – Georgia Storm
- Houston County Schools – Houston County Sharks
- Muscogee County School District – Muscogee Lions
- Peach County School District – Peach County Rolling Trojans
- RMF Trojans – Massachusetts
- Tennessee Tornadoes (Knoxville, Tennessee)
- Athlete from Florida
Coaches attending the camp represented programs from Atlanta Public Schools, Clarke County Public Schools, Clayton County Public Schools, Dougherty County Schools, Houston County Schools, and Peach County School District.
AAASP extends its sincere appreciation to Auburn University Wheelchair Basketball Head Coach Robb Taylor, Coach Sophie Livaudais, and Coach Evan Heller for sharing their expertise and providing exceptional instruction throughout the camp. Their leadership and commitment to developing the next generation of adapted athletes made a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our community partners. AAASP thanks Eagle Sportschairs and The Lotus Center for sponsoring lunches for all participants. We also extend our appreciation to Coca-Cola for providing gift packages for each attending coach/team, the Atlanta Hawks for donating Hawks T-shirts for our athletes, and Kroger for supplying water throughout the event. We are also excited to debut the new Northside Hospital Hydration Station, helping keep our athletes hydrated throughout camp and at future AAASP events.
Finally, AAASP is grateful to Clayton County Public Schools for serving as our host and providing outstanding facilities at Charles Drew High School. We truly appreciate the partnership and support to continue to strengthen opportunities for student-athletes with physical disabilities across Georgia.
As another successful summer camp comes to a close, one thing is certain: Champions are made in the off-season. Through dedicated coaching, hard work, and the support of incredible partners, AAASP continues to build stronger athletes, stronger teams, and a brighter future for adapted sports.
