HONOLULU - The Tripler Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Battalion, known as the WTB, will host Pacific Regional Trials 2017, a wounded warrior sports competition, Nov. 6-11, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
More than 80 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans from across the Pacific region will come together to compete in eight adaptive sporting events and for a chance to progress to the 2018 Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games.
"This is the first time that Hawaii has hosted a warrior games trials for the Pacific region," said Lt. Col. Clyde L. Hill, WTB battalion commander. "It is an immense honor to serve as the battalion commander of the WTB, especially for such a historical event as hosting the Pacific Regional Trials."
Hawaii is hosting the trials because of its geographic location. Athletes from throughout the Pacific would have to travel to the U.S. mainland to compete, and if they won or placed high enough would have to make a second trip to the actual Warrior Games. Having the trials in Hawaii will boost competition and provide an opportunity to bring together all the region's competitors.
"My hope is that the Pacific Regional Trials Warrior Games will provide the opportunity to bring together Post 9-11 wounded warriors and veterans from across the Pacific region. The adaptive sports competitions will honor and showcase the power and resiliency of our wounded warriors and their families," explained Hill.
With support from many of the major subordinate commands throughout U.S. Army - Hawaii, the WTB has coordinated for 150 military support personnel and 50 civilian volunteers to assist with conducting the week-long event. Also, about seven local government agencies or non-profit organizations are volunteering their time and resources to further contribute.
"I am also so appreciative of the level of support we've received from volunteers and supporting U.S. Army - Hawaii units to conduct the Pacific Regional Trials," Hill added.
Wounded, ill and injured service members in transition at all warrior transition units are indoctrinated into Warrior Games events as part of their adaptive rehabilitation program. The Pacific Regional Trials military athletes are recruited from within their respective warrior transition unit. Service member athletes regularly attend either regional trials, sister service (Air Force, Navy, etc. camps and clinics and other wounded warrior competitions. Veteran participants from Hawaii are being recruited and vetted through Army wounded warrior advocates based out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The sports are adapted in various ways to accommodate a variety of conditions and abilities, from physical injuries, such as amputations and visual impairments, to psychological conditions, such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.
"Throughout the week of the competition, wounded warrior athletes will train and compete in archery; cycling; track; field; shooting; sitting volleyball; swimming; and wheelchair basketball," said Maj. Michael J. Stevens, operations officer at the Tripler WTB.
Wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball will not be competition events in the Pacific Regional Trials; these events will serve as team building scrimmages in which athletes, staff, cadre and supporting units are invited to participate.
"These games (sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball) will (also) be used for assessment to give the coaches a chance to access the athlete's ability and overall attitude," Stevens explained. "Following the trials, the coaches, cadre and staff will evaluate the results and the top athletes will be selected from across the regions to progress to Army Trials 2018, the pre-qualifying event for the DoD Warrior Games 2018."
"We have put much effort into making this a fun event that showcases not just the power and resiliency of our wounded warriors, but also gives our visiting athletes a taste of our 'Ohana," Hill said. "That Hawaiian hospitality will be on display during the Pacific Regional Trials."
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Join us to honor our wounded warrior athletes and show your support at the following events.
Monday, Nov. 6, 2017
• OPENING CEREMONY
8:00 a.m. -- 9:00 a.m. at Weyand Field, Schofield Barracks, HI
The opening ceremony will be available to watch live online via Facebook at www.facebook.com/TriplerArmyMedicalCenter.
• SWIMMING
9:30 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m. at Richardson Pool, Schofield Barracks, HI
The swimming competition will have athletes competing in the 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard breaststroke, 50-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle and four combined 200-yard team relays.
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017
• TRACK & FIELD
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Stoneman Field, Schofield Barracks, HI
Track events include the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and 500 meters. There is also a mixed category, standing, 4x100 meter relays. -- Athletes compete in different classification categories based on functional abilities, including impaired muscle power/range of movement, limb deficiency, and visual impairment. Athletes with lower function or impaired balance use specialized equipment, such as a wheelchair racing chair.
Field events include seated and standing shot put and discus. -- Athletes compete in different classification categories based on functional abilities, including impaired muscle power/range of movement, limb deficiency, and visual impairment. Athletes with diminished functional ability or impaired balance use specialized equipment, such as the field throwing chair.
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017
• SHOOTING
8:00 a.m. -- 4:00 p.m. at Martinez Gym, Schofield Barracks, HI
The shooting competition is comprised of air pistols and air rifles on a 10-meter range. Athletes will compete in standing and prone positions and may use assistive equipment as necessary.
• WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAM COMPETITION
1:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m. at Martinez Gym, Schofield Barracks, HI
Wheelchair basketball retains most major rules and scoring of basketball. Some rules, such as traveling violations, have been modified.
Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017
• ARCHERY
8:00 a.m. -- 4:00 p.m. at Martinez Gym, Schofield Barracks, HI
Athletes compete against others utilizing a compound or recurve bow. Participants shoot compound and recurve bows from a standing or seated position.
• SITTING VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION
1:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m. at Martinez Gym, Schofield Barracks, HI
Sitting volleyball is a form of volleyball for disabled athletes on a smaller court, with adjusted rules.
Friday, Nov. 10, 2017
• CYCLING
8:00 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m. at Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), HI
Athletes will compete against others utilizing a handcycle, recumbent, upright and tandem upright bicycles. Competition distances include 10 kilometers, 20 kilometers and 30 kilometers. Distance is based on the type of bicycle and athlete classification.
• CLOSING CEREMONY
3:00 p.m. -- 5:00 p.m. at Knob Hill, Ford Island, JBPHH, HI
For more information about Pacific Regional Trials 2017 contact the Tripler Warrior Transition Battalion at 808-655-3007. Stay connected via Facebook at www.facebook.com/TriplerArmyMedicalCenter and Twitter at www.twitter.com/TriplerAMC for the latest updates and information during the events.
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