Sport for Everybody and Every Body

The Global Sport Institute at ASU and Ability360 invited the community to celebrate and learn about the diverse bodies of sport.

On Saturday, September 28th, the Global Sport Institute hosted Sport for Every Body in collaboration with our community partners at Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center. This event was in conjunction with the launch of the Global Sport Institute’s new theme, Sport and The Body. Its purpose was to defy typical perceptions of what an “athletic body” looks like, and to share with the community a fun and inclusive opportunity for all body types to participate in sport.

Athlete ambassadors from left to right: Nick Pryor, Dena Larsen Gazeley, Frank Sole, Claire Mclaughlin, Devoney Looser, Victor Ocando. (Photo by Tim Trumble)

To start off the event we held a conversation with Athlete Ambassadors who represented how diverse body types can partake in sport. Ambassadors were able to share their thoughts on what participating in sport means to them, and how they each use their body for sport. The discussion was moderated by our Director of Research, Dr. Scott Brooks. Athlete Ambassadors included:

• Nick Pryor, Amp1 Basketball and Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center
• Dena Larsen Gazeley, Ophelia’s Place and BloomFit Training
• Frank Sole, Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center
• Claire McLaughlin, Girls on the Run
• Devoney Looser, ASU English Professor and Roller Derby athlete
• Victor Ocando, Devils Adapt

After the ambassador portion of our event concluded, attendees opted into an inclusive Zumba® class. Throughout the rest of the event a multitude of inclusive fitness classes and adaptive activities were provided.

Zumba® instructor Justin Graham leads attendees through a fun dance fitness class. (Photo by Tim Trumble)

Inclusive Zumba® was definitely a hit and by the end, everyone was breaking a sweat.

Two event attendees and Nick Pryor, a stand-up amputee basketball player and Program Specialist with Ability360, on the court participating in wheel chair basketball demos. (Photo by Tim Trumble)

One of the many activities available was wheelchair basketball. Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center provides a space for adaptive programs to exist and hosts wheelchair basketball tournaments in their facility. It was challenging, fun, and educational all-in-one!

A young woman works her way up the 35-foot rock climbing wall, one of the most impressive features of the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center. (Photo by Tim Trumble)

The rock climbing wall was open for attendees to use and went up a staggering thirty-five feet. The wall is included with membership to the facility and is fitted with adaptive rock climbing equipment to allow all people the enjoyment of conquering this beast.

The Arizona Science Center booth engages a young girl with scientific activities about the human body. (Photo by Tim Trumble)

The Girls on the Run organization speaks to attendees about their running programs for young girls. (Photo by Tim Trumble)

We want to give a huge thank you to our exhibitors which included:

• Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA
• Girls on the Run
• InSpirit Body Positive Training AZ
• ASU Preparatory Academy
• Arizona Trails Association
• Devils Adapt
• Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix
• Arizona Science Center
• ASU School of Community Resources and Development
• TerrainHopper

Two young girls enjoy the dance fitness class on the basketball court. (Photo by Tim Trumble)

The event was a fun, educational, and inclusive experience for members of the Phoenix community. We hoped to show that sport is for everybody and every body. A special thank you to Ability360 for being an amazing community partner and inviting everyone into their wonderful facility. You can find more information about their programs and services at ability360.org/sports.

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