The North Jersey Navigators, an adaptive sports team for junior athletes with disabilities, are one of seven recipients of the 2013 Paralympic Amazing Awards, according to an announcement made by the US Olympic Committee.
Kessler Foundation, which provided seed funding to the team and distributes grants to cover travel and training costs, notes that the team received the 2012 Amazing Sport Club Award.
Jim Cuevas, the Navigators’ head coach, was also recognized with the 2012 National Coach of the Year Award for Paralympics Track & Field. Cuevas reportedly became involved with the Navigators when his son joined the team 12 years ago. “The past two years have been excellent for us and it has been an amazing experience to see our athletes grow up as independent and productive individuals,” Cuevas says.
In a recent news release, the Foundation reports that the Jersey City, NJ-based Navigators compete on state, national, and international levels in track and field, road racing, archery, swimming, and table tennis. Team member Raymond Martin won four gold medals in four events at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
“It has been wonderful to be so involved with the Navigators over the years, and to chart their success since they started out as a small, grassroots program and now watch them compete as a large team,” says Elaine Katz, vice president, Grants and Special Initiatives, Kessler Foundation.
The release notes that the Paralympic Amazing Awards are designed to honor individuals and organizations that make a significant impact on the Paralympic Movement in the US Winners, reflecting success in grassroots development, elite performance, sponsorships, and telling the Paralympic story.
Source: Kessler Foundation
