The 27th Annual New England Winter Sports Clinic
By: Mike Moran, Chapter Vice-President & Sports Director
The 27th Annual New England Winter Sports Clinic for disabled veterans took place at Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire last month. Over 120 volunteers from the Boston VA Health Care System, the New England Healing Sports Association (✅NEHSA Adaptive Sports & Recreation New England✅), and the local community supported 45 veteran athletes, 14 of whom were new to this flagship winter sports program.
Along with three days of adaptive skiing, on Monday afternoon following registration and team assignments veteran athletes participated in a sled hockey clinic at the Campion Arena in Hanover, New Hampshire. The sled hockey clinic is corrugated chaos both on and off the ice. The work put in by volunteers to get us fitted into the sled, geared up, and on the ice in such a short period of time is truly amazing! The week was full of activities to occupy our time when we weren’t at the hill. Cardio drumming facilitated by Jenny Vulpis, Adaptive Sports Coordinator at the VA Boston Healthcare S
ystem, was one way to get loose and the blood flowing. “Morning Flow” with Julia was also a popular option as well. The Community Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire was the location for pickleball and arts and crafts. The transportation team made it look easy getting us to where we needed to be
throughout the week. Fortunately, the weather was in our favor throughout the week and didn’t make their job any tougher than it had to be.
Closing ceremonies for the Clinic were Thursday evening at the Lebanon Hilton Garden Inn. After dinner the long-awaited video presentation of accomplishments from the week and Annual Award winners were recognized. All in all, it was a fantastic week. We are now looking forward to the Summer Sports Clinic, and of course next year’s Winter Sports Clinic as well!
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