Military Racquetball#

USA Racquetball supports the efforts and programs offered by the Military Racquetball Federation (MRF). The MRF is dedicated to promoting racquetball programs and events for our service members here and abroad including support of events for our troops in warzones. Additionally the MRF is committed to assisting Wounded Warriors with their rehabilitation using a new MRF program called Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinics (RRC). This program's focus is the use of racquetball as rehabilitation for both the physical and mental challenges suffered from combat. The MRF is also a 501(c) (3) tax-deductible corporation run and staffed exclusively by volunteers. If you would like to join us and support the MRF with a tax-deductible donation, please click the donate button now. For more more information about the Military Racquetball Federation visit their website at: www.militaryracquetball.com

• Fort Dix / McGuire AFB, NJ
• Walter Reed, Washington DC
• Fort Jackson, SC
• Fort Gordon, GA
• Fort Benning, GA
• Fort Bliss, TX
  
  

Their goal is to run six racquetball sessions per year (each session will run 8 weeks long). Each session will have up to a maximum of 16 students per instructor. Classes will run twice a week and each class will run for two hours. Your funding/donation of $250 to sponsor a student will allow them to receive a training manual, a beginner's racquet kit, and a competent racquetball instructor and court time.


The MRF recently partnered with the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona to host a Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinic for a group of Phoenix veterans. The group was treated to some great racquetball and hospitality. MRF volunteers Terry Rogers and Jack Hughes served as hosts for the group in Tempe.

Recently, Military Racquetball Federation partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) to host the 36th National Wheelchair Games in Salt Lake City, introducing hundreds of wheelchair athletes to racquetball including a hitting alley and wall. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is a rehabilitation and wheelchair sports program empowering Veterans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, amputations and other neurological injuries to live more active and healthy lives through wheelchair sports and recreation.

During this one-day demonstration, there were a lot of happy faces and positive experiences for athletes and instructors. MRF runs the Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinic program on and off military bases in partnership with local VAs.

Special thanks to local Utah racquetball volunteers; Andrew Gale, Garrett and Linda Tyler who gave their time to assist MRF representatives Steven Harper, Jack Hughes, and Terry Rogers to get ready for the event.

A few other players gave of their time to assist with the demonstration, Kevin Gale, David Diaz, and Erika Rand played a few rounds of racquetball with wheelchair veterans from around the country. Overall, these wheelchair veterans loved the sport of racquetball and were so thankful to be introduced to the sport.

The Military Racquetball Federation also participated in Warrior Week in conjunction with the Patriotic Festival hosted by the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia.The objective is to provide wounded warriors, their caregivers and families with a memorable trip and participate in therapeutic recreational activities, showcasing several different adaptive sporting events such as; ride-to-recovery, equine horsemanship programs, water skiing and kayaking.

With the help of a VA grant, the MRF was able to set up/build an outdoor racquetball court. Other special additions include the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, led by Cpt Bell took special photo’s on the MRF racquetball court, then giving a 17 minute speechless performance (without saying one word). This is the MRF’s biggest event.

These efforts are led by Steven Harper, MRF Executive Director, Joe Coniglio, MRF Florida Lead, and assisted by Malia Bailey who put together a great volunteer staff. Without the support or numerous volunteers we would not have been able to succeed. Wounded Warriors and their families are given the opportunity to try their hand at a sport they may never have seen and/or thought they could not play. What a treat for all who attend these events. We want to give some special “Thank You’s” to the USO staff; Jeff Hill – VP of Operations, US Region, Linda Wagner – Director of Special Events, US Region, and Emily Flint – Operation Assistant, for if it were not for these individuals giving us the opportunity, this would not have ever happened. We also want to thank the Comfort Inn staff (Randall Dubois and team) for such great hospitality and the 3rd and 6th Districts of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for the financial contribution and volunteer support.