PROVIDING SPORTS FOR ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES FOR OVER 65 YEArs
About the national Wheelcats
Mission
Our mission is to educate, encourage and inspire individuals with disabilities through actively participating in sports to become more independent and productive, as well as strengthen physical abilities and emotional well being.
Founders
William H McCormack
Douglas McCormack
Doc Wallace
Vena McCormack
Lewis Winn
John Boone, Jr.
Established in 1957 as the Nashville Handicappers and then became the National Wheelcats in 1985
Wheelcat Officers
President Mark Singer
Vice President Leah Davis
Treasurer Vena McCormack
Secretary Kelly M. Skelton-Weise
Board of Directors: Jon Davis, Mike Sells, Mark Singer, Troy Weise, Walter Lowery, Jeff Hall , Kelly Weise
Sports and Sport Directors
Sled Hockey Troy H. Weise troyhweise@gmail.com
Tennis Kelly M. Skelton-Weise kmsweise@gmail.com
Fishing & Shooting Mark Singer msinger73@charter.net
Basketball Evan Espey evan.espey@gmail.com
Water Skiing Mike Sells mikesells77@comcast.net
Softball Jeff Hall jeffrey.m.hall83@gmail.com
Quad Rugby Walter Lowery walter.clowery@gmail.com
Upcoming Home Events
October 14, 2023
Sporting Clay Shoot
Saturday October 14th, 2023
Annual Russell Rodriguez Sporting Clay Shoot
50 Sporting Clays
Sponsored By National Wheelcats and the Nashville Gun Club
email Mark Singer msinger73@charter.net for registration
The Bingo Barn
The Bingo Barn at 7087 Russellville Road, Guthrie, Kentucky is our main fundraising source. Bingo is played every Saturday at 6:45pm and Sunday at 4:45. Doors open 2 hours in advance and concessions are available.
Sled Hockey
About the Sport
Sled hockey is an exciting ice sport that allows athletes with disabilities to enjoy the sport of hockey with specially designed sleds and sticks. The NWC currently sponsor a youth team and 2 adult teams called The Sled Preds.
Sled Hockey Sport Director
Troy Weise
770-561-0038
Jr. Sled Hockey Director
Sylvia Fitzgerald
Practice Schedule
Junior and Adult B team practice schedule for
Centennial Ice
TBD
2024 Competition Schedule
Tennis
About the sport
Wheelchair Tennis allows for athletes with disabilities to compete in USTA sponsored events nationwide. With only one rule exception ( 2 bounces), wheelchair tennis is played with the same rules as able bodied tennis and can be enjoyed by everyone .
2024 Schedule
** refer to the USTA website for wheelchair tennis tournaments
Music City Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament
June 28-30, 2024
Centennial Tennis Center
Nashville, TN
2024 Practice Schedule
** Monday night practice at Adams Tennis Center in Murfreesboro 6-9pm starting in May
**
**the NWC have special chairs they loan for anyone wanting to try wheelchair tennis
FIshing and shooting
Fishing
Annual Shooting Event
Shooting
Fishing sponsors individuals with disabilities in the PVA sanctioned bass fishing events .
Shooting
Annual Shooting Event
Shooting
Shooting sponsors individuals with disabilities to participate in trap and sporting clay shoots as well as long distance target shooting. Shooting is one of the newest sports to the NWC.
Annual Shooting Event
Annual Shooting Event
Annual Shooting Event
Russell Rodriguez Annual Sport Clay Shoot will be in October, 2023
Date TBD
Annual Shooting Event
Annual Shooting Event
Softball
About the Sport
Wheelchair softball was born 40 years ago for people with disabilities who still want to enjoy America's pastime. Wheelchair softball is played on a hard surface, such as a parking lot, instead of a normal grassy field. It is played with a 16 inch ball which allows allows wheelchair players to keep one hand on the wheelchair while catching the ball without a glove.
Softball Sport Co-Directors
Mike Sells and Jeff Hall
615-831-3190
615-496-7706
Schedule
Practice will begin in May, 2024
Dates and times TBD
Basketball
About the Sport
Since 1957 our wheelchair basketball program has given those with disabilities the opportunity to learn and compete nationally in the exciting world of wheelchair basketball.
BASKETBALL SPORT DIRECTOR
Evan Espey
615-347-1223
BASKETBALL HEAD COACH
Tyler Bank
973-632-7847
Practice Wednesdays 6pm
contact Evan or Tyler for more information
Schedule
January 12-14 - Pioneer Classic - Birmingham, AL
January 27th - 28th - Bowling Green Invitational - Bowling Green, KY
February 3rd -4th - Valley Shootout -
Fort Wayne, IN
March - 9th -10th - Home Tournament at Vanderbilt.
April 12-14 - National Championship - Richmond, VA
Quad rugby
About the Sport
Quad rugby is a contact sport played by quadriplegics on a basketball court or other hard surface. THe NWC sponsor the Quadcrushers.
Schedule
Please contact the sport director for more information
Water skiing
About the Sport
People of all ages and abilities can enjoy the fun and excitement of waterskiing. Adaptive water skiing combines the excitement of water sports and building of self confidence and independence.