Events

In 2011, the International Silver Stick Hockey Association conducted its inaugural sled/sledge hockey tournament in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Grand Rapids will be resurrecting the International Silver Stick Hockey Association sled/sledge hockey tournament in 2025.

Registration Open 4/1/25 - 5/1/25
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Lee Montgomery Athlete Assistance Fund (LMAAF) is available to our Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports community.

The Mary Free Bed Adult Wheelchair Tennis team is for adults with physical disabilities with a desire to play tennis. This is for anyone that wants to play recreationally or competitively. Learn the game, work on your skills and mobility, and get direction from our experienced wheelchair tennis head coach. All levels are welcome!

This adult wheelchair softball team is for individuals with physical disabilities who are interested in being a part of a fun sport! We have one home tournament and travel out of state for weekend tournaments throughout the summer.

Adaptive swim lessons are offered for children with physical and cognitive disabilities. These are group lessons (max of 2 participants) and they include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment. A volunteer will be available to assist the instructor and participant.

Private adaptive swim lessons are offered for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. These private lessons include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment in order to meet their goals.

Cost: $150 per session due at time of registration.

*Registration is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is excited to bring you a six-week adaptive Functional Fitness class. This class will be a fast-paced circuit workout consisting of aerobic exercises, strength exercises, and interval training. Led by a certified personal trainer (NASM certified), exercises will be modified and adapted for each participant whether sitting or standing. Adaptive equipment will be available for participants. Volunteers will be available to assist participants. Participants must be at least 16 years or older.

Experience being grounded at the center of inner peace through the guidance of certified instructor with adaptive yoga practice. This 4-week class is offered for those with cognitive and physical deficits. Yoga improves strength, balance, mobility, and flexibility. The class will be taught by a certified yoga instructor, RYT 200. Volunteers will be assisting participants throughout the class. Yoga mats will be available for participants.

In partnership with the Grand Rapids Rise, the Sitting Volleyball Clinic is held at Mary Free Bed YMCA. Sitting Volleyball is a discipline of the sport in which athletes play in a seated position. The sitting game utilizes the same volleyball skills and techniques as the standing game with a few key rule differences. Players use both their arms and legs to move across the court. Anyone can play sitting volleyball – athletes should be able to sit on the floor and move on their own.

In conjunction with the West Michigan Fencing Academy, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports will be sponsoring this clinic. Learn about the exciting, fast paced sport of Wheelchair Fencing. This clinic will be led by the instructors at the West Michigan Fencing Academy.

In partnership with Great Lakes Disc, hosted by Keystone Community Church Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is excited to host a one day Adapted Disc Golf Clinic. Whether you've never thrown a frisbee, or have played before, come learn more about this competitive sport that is growing at a rapid pace!

This will be the Frenzy's fifth season as a team. Wheelchair lacrosse is a great opportunity to join a team of individuals that enjoy a physically tough and fast paced game.

Adaptive swim lessons are offered for children with physical and cognitive disabilities. These are group lessons (max of 2 participants) and they include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment. A volunteer will be available to assist the instructor and participant.

Private adaptive swim lessons are offered for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. These private lessons include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment in order to meet their goals.

Cost: $150 per session due at time of registration.

*Registration is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

Wheelchair Lacrosse is played on a roller hockey rink or box lacrosse pad. It is 8 players per side; 2 players must remain in the offensive half and 3 in the defensive half at all times. Wheelchair lacrosse is played using a no-bounce ball and basketball sport chairs. Wheelchair lacrosse also provides an opportunity for those with physical disabilities and able-bodied athletes to play on the same team. Wheelchair lacrosse is a popular choice for sled hockey and wheelchair basketball athletes.

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s West Michigan Rollin Whitecaps invite you to attend the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair Softball Tournament at our home field at the Mary Free Bed YMCA.

Please contact
Christy VanHaver with any questions at 616-437-9583 or christy.vanhaver@maryfreebed.com.

Private adaptive swim lessons are offered for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. These private lessons include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment in order to meet their goals.
*Registration is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

The Mary Free Bed Junior Wheelchair Tennis team is for children with physical disabilities with a desire to play tennis. This is for anyone that wants to play at any level ranging from beginner to advanced. Players will work on skills, learn mobility, and hit thousands of tennis balls. Players must be between 7-18 years of age to join! This summer players will practice two times per week. (No practice week of July 4th and week of July 25 for sports camp).

This team is for adults with physical disabilities who wish to play standing up rather than playing from a sports wheelchair. Individuals who play para standing tennis have decreased mobility due to amputations, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, limb difference, dwarfism or other congenital conditions. No prior knowledge or experience playing tennis is needed to participate. Practices and matches are on a standard tennis court – no special equipment or modifications to the court are necessary. This inclusive program provides practice and playing opportunities for adults of any skill level. Practices are throughout the season and team participation includes travel to tournaments throughout the United States. Players must be 16 years or older to participate. Email thomas.flynn@maryfreebed.com with any questions.

Experience the freedom and tranquility that comes from gliding across the water's surface in a kayak or canoe. Participants receive an individual assessment to determine if adaptive equipment is necessary to enjoy these sports. The program is offered in partnership with Kentwood Parks and Recreation.

As an able bodied tennis player, join in by being pared with a wheelchair or para standing player from around the country to form a doubles team. This event will kick off our anual Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championships!  The registration is free to register and includes a player reception, food, prizes, and great tennis! 

*In case of rain, we will be using the indoor courts*

If you are a beginner novice player, please contact thomas.flynn@maryfreebed.com to register for both the FREE clinic and the mini tournament.

Thank you for joining us for the 2024 Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championships. We have hosted this event for more than 30 years in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We strive to provide an exciting tournament with fun social activities that our guests will anticipate returning to each year. Our generous sponsors, volunteers, and a beautiful hosting site make this possible. We look forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, and watching some great tennis! A special welcome to our first-time participants and returning players.

Join us for the first annual Frenzy Fest, the Mary Free Bed Frenzy's first annual wheelchair lacrosse tournament for adult teams. Every player registered will receive a tournament shirt.
Please register by June 14

Join Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports & Kentwood Parks and Recreation for an exhilarating Adaptive Waterski Clinic! Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a first-time skier, our clinic offers a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of waterskiing in a supportive and adaptive environment.

The Mary Free Bed Handcycling Team is a great group of individuals, with physical disabilities, who are dedicated to riding. The team gets together weekly to ride at Millennium Park. Enjoy camaraderie and peer support while training for races, or just going for a ride. Race options available locally and out-of-state.

Private adaptive swim lessons are offered for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. These private lessons include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment in order to meet their goals.

Cost: $150 per session due at time of registration.

*Registration is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

Adaptive swim lessons are offered for children with physical and cognitive disabilities. These are group lessons (max of 2 participants) and they include instruction from a certified water safety instructor. Participants learn swimming and safety in a positive and fun environment. A volunteer will be available to assist the instructor and participant.

In partnership with the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program is thrilled to revive the sport of goalball. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Goalball is a unique and inclusive sport that relies on the sense of touch and hearing, allowing individuals with visual impairments to participate in a team-based athletic activity.

The Women's Sled Hockey team offers a sport ideal for individuals with lower-limb affected disabilities. This program is for women interested in both recreational and competitive athletics.

The Mary Free Bed Overdrive Power Soccer team will be in its fourth season playing as part of the United States Power Soccer Association. Power soccer is a sport designed for individuals age 7 and older that use a power chair. Players will learn the fundamentals of power soccer during these weekly practices. Whether you're new to power soccer, or are a seasoned enthusiast, join us to learn more about this amazing sport. Select players will be able to travel to compete in matches. Come out and join us! Participants are limited to those who have their own power soccer chairs. A limited amount of power soccer chairs and power soccer guards are available for participants to use upon request. Foot guards can be added and removed to power soccer chairs. 

Sled hockey provides opportunity for athletes with many types of disabilities to compete in local areas for recreation and competition all the way to the National Sled Hockey Team that plays at the Paralympic level. Sled Hockey is rapidly growing in the US and players are "hooked" once they touch the ice for the first time. This team is intended for those who thrive on competitive and physical play.

Sled hockey provides opportunity for athletes with many types of disabilities to compete in local areas for recreation and competition all the way to the National Sled Hockey Team that plays at the Paralympic level. Sled Hockey is rapidly growing in the US and players are "hooked" once they touch the ice for the first time. This team is intended for those who thrive on competitive and physical play.

The Junior Pacers have a prep team and a varsity team, based on age and ability. Athletes get the opportunity to participate on a team, stay connected with basketball and remain active with other children their age. This program is for both recreational and competitive athletes with physical disabilities who can operate a manual wheelchair independently.

The Grand Rapids Thunder is a wheelchair rugby team for people who have a physical disability that affects all four limbs (paralyses or limb differences). Heavy-duty sports chairs are used in this high-intensity, chair-to-chair contact sport. The game is as physical and extreme as conventionally played rugby.

The Mary Free Bed Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team is back! This team is for girls/women 14-17 rostered on the Mary Free Bed Jr Pacers Varsity Team and women 18 and up.

The Mary Free Bed Pacers DIII is an entry level DIII team registered with the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. This team is a great starting point if you are new to the sport of wheelchair basketball.

The Mary Free Bed Pacers are a competitive wheelchair basketball team for high-level players ready to participate on a National Wheelchair Basketball Division I team.