Atlanta Hawks Empower New Team to Provide Better Opportunities for Women in Sports
ATLANTA, GA – BlazeSports America, a non-profit organization founded after the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games and a leader in the field of adaptive sports and recreation, announces the creation of the first women’s wheelchair basketball team in the state of Georgia, powered by the Atlanta Hawks .
The BlazeSports Lady Ballers hosted multiple women’s clinics this fall, to introduce the sport to interested athletes in the Southeast and have now formed an official team.
“We are thrilled to expand accessibility to basketball within the state,” says Dawn Churi, Executive Director of BlazeSports. “As a woman in the industry, it’s really important to me to give other women more opportunities to participate and grow their love for the game. By leading Georgia’s first female wheelchair basketball team, we are expanding the adaptive sports industry and opening the door for these athletes to have a place to compete. The Atlanta Hawks are a perfect partner to achieve these goals.”
BlazeSports and the Atlanta Hawks have an extensive partnership, dating back to 2013. This partnership includes the Hawks Foundation’s support of the BlazeSports America Jr. Wheelchair program. Hawks, one of the nation’s fastest growing and most successful youth wheelchair basketball programs in the Southeast. .
In October 2022, the Hawks announced additional support for the BlazeSports America Jr. Wheelchair Basketball program. Hawks to assist with items such as practice facility costs, athlete travel support, team uniforms, and equipment repair.
“We are excited to continue this great partnership with BlazeSports,” says Mara Cunningham, Manager of Community Basketball Programs for the Hawks and head coach of BlazeSports’ Lady Ballers. “Adding a women’s wheelchair basketball team to their offerings, especially adaptive sports, is a big step forward. We are excited to be a part of the next chapter and watch these athletes grow.”
The BlazeSports Lady Ballers will be open to all female athletes, young and old. Women will be able to participate in the program, which includes practices and competitions, starting in December and running through the National Championship in April. For more information about the team, volunteering and game schedule, visit www.blazesports.org.
