Disabled Sports USA and Adaptive Sports USA are merging to become Move United, according to a media announcement.

Move United’s network will launch across more than 200 chapters in 43 states, offering youth and adults with disabilities opportunities to participate and compete in more than 50 different adaptive sports. This merger delivers a robust platform for growth, fostering expansion to more communities, with a goal to be locally available to 90% of the U.S. population by 2028, when the Olympics and Paralympics return to the United States, according to a media release from Move United.

Move United will share more on Facebook Live on Thursday, May 7, at 3:00 pm ET, it notes.

“There is nothing like the power of sport. Sport makes us more; physically, mentally and socially. That is true for people with and without disabilities, but often today’s youth and adults with disabilities have few opportunities to participate,” says Glenn Merry, executive director of Move United, in the release. “Move United intends to change that by growing our network of 200+ community-based adaptive programs and challenging limits. Our vision is to redefine how society views ability.”

As a Member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Move United will provide a wide range of nationwide programming including recreational and competitive adaptive sports, staff, volunteer and instructor training, and services including risk management, outreach and adaptive sport grants. Move United is a 2019 USOPC Rings of Gold awardee.

“The merger makes Move United the pipeline for athletes with disabilities to not only learn adaptive sports but to compete at the highest levels,” says Susan Rossi, former executive director of Adaptive Sports USA and now Director of Competition at Move United, the release continues.

“The nation’s best and most prominent adaptive sports competitions, including the Move United Junior Nationals, will be supported through Move United and these competitions will provide greater opportunities for athletes aspiring to compete at the state, regional, national and international levels. With the heart and soul, history, and expertise of this network, we are thrilled to have a unified voice and collective goal moving forward.”

The Move United Junior Nationals is a competitive multi-sport event for youth athletes with physical disabilities ages 6 to 22 in North America. Started in 1984, the event gathers several hundred athletes, coaches, and family members from across the U.S. and has served as the developmental training ground for many U.S. Paralympic athletes.

“Beginning as an eleven-year old with no athletic experience, I found a welcoming community of athletes with disabilities to learn from, grow, and share experiences with – first locally, then nationally, all the way up to my Paralympic career,” shares Amanda McGrory, 3-time U.S. Paralympian and 7-time medalist. “Without assistance, it can be intimidating to start the journey on one’s own. Combining missions and forming Move United will help athletes at all levels, as well as offer more opportunities for people with disabilities to find a sport they love.”

For more information, visit Move United.

[Source(s): Move United, PRWeb]