SPORTS PROGRAMS

Get ready for some friendly competition. UCP’s Sports Program provides the opportunity for individual and team sports competition and training to people with physical disabilities.  Recreation members can join the Philadelphia Kryptonites, the UCP-sponsored sports team and participate in local, regional, national, and international levels of competition in track and field and bowling.

PHILADELPHIA SPORTS MEET

UCP hosts the annual Philadelphia Sports Meet, which is a day-long track and field competition for juniors and adults with physical disabilities. The athletes have an opportunity to compete in various ambulatory and wheelchair events in an atmosphere of healthy competition and camaraderie. UCP’s Kryptonites and various sports teams from all over the region participate in the event. Individual athletes are also welcome. Athletes who have participated in the meet have qualified for the National Track & Field Championship which is held in the summer

PHILADELPHIA POWERPLAY

UCP Community Recreation Services sponsors the Philadelphia PowerPlay. The Philadelphia PowerPlay team is a power wheelchair floor hockey team. The team meets twice a month on Saturdays at Philadelphia area schools and recreation centers. The emphasis is on teamwork, skill development and fun. It is a fast paced, exciting sport that provides a quality recreational and social activity within the community.

The Philadelphia Powerplay team follows the guidelines of the United States Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S.EWHA). The game is based on basic hockey rules with a few adaptations to allow everyone in a power wheelchair the ability to participate. Because of the speed of the wheelchairs and the general flow of a game, a basketball court offers the best floor size and surface. A plastic ball is substituted for a puck, allowing greater movement during the game. Because many participants do not have the strength to lift heavy objects (such as wooden sticks) the sport is played with all-plastic hockey sticks (both shaft and blade). Many players simply use the power of their wheelchair to move and control the ball.

 If you are 13-years old or older and use a power wheelchair, come out and join us. We put equal emphasis on skill development and just having fun! For more information or to get involved, call Director of Recreation Lylian Melendez at 215-248-7611 or email lmelendez@ucpphila.org. You can also visit the PowerPlay website at www.philadelphipowerplay.com.