Information & History
The Eastern Nebraska Wheelchair Athletic Association (ENWAA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1975 and became an exempt organization under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code in 1988. ENWAA is the premier wheelchair sports organization in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa.
ENWAA provides athletic opportunities for disabled children and adults. These opportunities include instruction, team organization, practice facilities, athletic equipment, registration fees, uniforms, travel expenses, team and individual awards, and much more.
There are many benefits associated with participation in wheelchair athletics. These include aerobic and muscle-building activities, building self-esteem, making life-long friendships, and travel to play teams from other areas. Also, many of our members have participated on the United States Paralympic Team and have had opportunities for international travel. Several of our members have received college scholarships through wheelchair athletics.
In 2004, the organization became part of the Blazesports of America network forming the Blazesports Omaha Club in conjunction with Alegent Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center and the Great Plains Paralyzed Veterans of America. Together these organizations collaborate to offer a variety of clinics to continue to broaden the opportunities available for persons eith physical disabilities. Current Blazesport programs include:
1. Wheelchair softball for adults and juinors
2. Youth Wheelchair Basketball
3. Sitting Volleyball
4. Quad Rugby
5. Boccia Ball
6. Tennis
Blazesports of America
BlazeSports America is a nonprofit organization introduced in 1998 which offers sports for children and adults with physical disabilities through 50 Clubs across the United States. The local Blazesports Omaha Club consists of the following organizations: Alegent Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center, Eastern Nebraska Wheelchair Athletic Association and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Together these groups coordinate sport and recreation opportunities for persons in the community who have a physical disability.
It is the successor organization to the Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee. Paralympians and other nationally ranked disabled athletes are an integral component in all BlazeSports programs. Serving as coaches and counselors to beginning or rising athletes, these elite athletes bring a high level of experience and knowledge to program participants. And they serve as excellent role models and mentors to BlazeSports participants.
Profiled in several national magazines, BlazeSports programs have rapidly gained national recognition. And work continues to ensure that opportunities to grow and develop through sports training and competition and to develop ongoing active lifestyles become easily available for youth and adults with physical disabilities.
Please refer to the website tabs for more detailed information regarding these opportunities.
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