• Department of Athletics

    Adapted Sports Program:

    The Adapted Sports Program is a member of the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP). This program serves students in grades 1 - 12 who have an orthopedic impairment as defined under federal law (IDEA). Students who are fully mainstreamed, partially mainstreamed, or attending special education classes and whose primary disability is physical or a sensory impairment (hearing or visual) are eligible to participate. Students who are mainstreamed must adhere to AAASP's no pass/no play policy, adopted from the GHSA. Special education students must adhere to their IEP goals. Students who register must have the maturity and ability to understand strategy and to apply standards employed for their safety. As a point of clarification, AAASP athletes are NOT eligible for Special Olympics. The two organizations target different populations. AAASP serves students with physical disabilities or visual impairments, while Special Olympics serves people with intellectual disabilities.
     
     
    Georgia Storm:

    GA Storm
     
    *All participants use wheelchairs (provided) for practice and competition but this does not mean their 
     disability requires them to use a wheelchair.
     
    The Georgia Storm participate in the following sports:
     
    Fall - Wheelchair Handball (soccer)
    Winter - Wheelchair Basketball
    Spring - Wheelchair Football
    ** high school students may participate in Wheelchair Track & Field with their high school team
     
    The Georgia Storm (formerly named Henry Hurricanes) is a school-based co-ed wheelchair sports team comprised of students from grades 1 – 12 within the Griffin RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) that serves the counties of Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Upson. Eligibility consists of students who have a physical impairment that prevents them from playing competitively on the traditional school teams. Even though the students compete using a sports wheelchair, they do not have to be a full-time manual or power wheelchair user. Students who use various adaptive devises (canes, walkers, crutches, etc.), or do not require a devise for mobility but still possess a physical limitation are eligible. All sports are recognized as Georgia High School Association (GHSA) sports competition coordinated by American Association of Adapted Sports programs (AAASP) partnership and a partnership with Henry County Parks & Recreation.
    • Numerous championship and runner-up titles have been won in every sport since the teams' inception in 2008...and more to come!!!                        
       - For more information about joining this empowering team and becoming another GA STORM SUPERSTAR contact:
    Coordinator: Kelli Smith          kelli.smith@henry.k12.ga.us
    Head Coach: Harlon Matthews   404-308-2414 or hmatthews@co.henry.ga.us
          

    American Association of Adapted Sports Programs:
     
    AAASP

    • The American Association of Adapted Sports Program, Inc. (AAASP) is a 501c3 organization that provides services to Local Education Agencies, State High School Associations and State Departments of Education in extracurricular adapted athletics for physically disable children attending grades 1-12 to improve their wellbeing while positively influencing total student development.
         - The AAASP model has been in place since 1996, and ensures disabled students the opportunity to experience the benefits of school sport competition just as their non-disabled peers do.

    To find out more about AAASP, please visit their website:     http://www.adaptedsports.org/