This weekend is the 22nd annual Katie Kirlin Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament:

  • Saturday, January 25: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Sunday,  January 25: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

This regional tournament is for athletes ages 8 to 18. The outcome determines who plays in this spring’s National Wheelchair Basketball Association tournament.

Games take place at Parks & Rec sites and the nearby School of the Future. 

Admission to the tournament is free and open to the public. This year’s tournament is sponsored by Toyota. 

There are two divisions of play during the tournament:

  • The prep division is for younger, beginner athletes.
  • The varsity division hosts older and more advanced athletes.
Five organizations and over 100 athletes will compete in the tournament this year. The youth wheelchair basketball teams include:
  • Katie’s Komets (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Bennett Blazers (Baltimore, MD)
  • Fairfax Falcons (Fairfax, VA)
  • Sportable Spokes (Richmond, VA)
  • Ryan Martin Foundation Trojans (Norwalk, CT)

Parks & Rec’s Home Team

Katie’s Komets is Parks & Rec’s home team. This co-ed wheelchair basketball team is for kids with physical disabilities. It is one of many inclusive activities offered by Parks & Rec. These programs help fulfill Parks & Rec’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality programs for residents of all abilities.

About the Katie Kirlin Fund

The Katie Kirlin Fund supports both the team (Katie’s Komets) and the regional tournament.
 
The Kirlin family established this fund to honor Katie’s achievements in wheelchair athletics. The fund encourages Philadelphia-area youth to take part in wheelchair sports. It provides grants to:
  • sponsor wheelchair sporting events.
  • buy specially designed wheelchairs for athletes.
  • support wheelchair sports programs.

 

Learn more about Parks & Rec's adaptive and inclusive recreation programs.