Gaylord Sports Association

04/21/2026

What happens after rehab ends?

For Kim Hopkins, it’s where the real work begins.

As the creator of Ga***rd’s Exercise for Life program, Kim (left) has helped hundreds of people with permanent physical impairments stay active, build strength, and regain confidence long after leaving therapy. Now, she’ll be expanding her impact even further.

The Cheshire outpatient physical therapist was awarded a scholarship from the Adaptive Training Academy to earn her Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer Certification. This advanced training will enhance safe and inclusive fitness opportunities for veterans with physical or visual impairments, supporting greater independence, well-being, and quality of life.

Learn how Ga***rd Sports Association supports veterans' programming at https://hubs.la/Q04cTt9f0.

04/20/2026

Every medal, every award, and every finish-line celebration tells a story of perseverance.

A huge thank you to Amphenol Corp., our Award Sponsor for the 2026 Ga***rd Gauntlet, for helping us honor the strength and determination of every participant who rises to the challenge.

Their support ensures we can recognize the incredible achievements made on race day!

***rdGauntlet

04/17/2026

The Ga***rd Warriors Wheelchair Rugby Team took the national stage for the first time—competing alongside 18 of the top teams in the country at the USWRA Nationals at Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama this past weekend.

They played hard, showed incredible grit, and represented Ga***rd with determination every step of the way.

We’re so proud of this team and all they’ve accomplished—this is just the beginning. Eyes on Nationals again next year!

04/10/2026

The Ga***rd Warriors are in the spotlight! 🏉💪

Check out this feature from WTNH as the team prepares for Nationals and gives an inside look at what it takes to be a wheelchair rugby athlete— and why it's more than just a sport.

The Ga***rd Warriors is a wheelchair rugby team and part of the Ga***rd Sports Association — the largest adaptive sports program in Connecticut, serving people with permanent physical or visual imp…

04/10/2026

Game Update from Nationals! 🏉🔥

In an incredible finish, the Ga***rd Warriors battled to a 44–44 tie with under a minute remaining—then scored with just 10 seconds left to secure a thrilling win over Carolina Crash!

What a game. Way to go, Warriors! 💪

We are back in action at 5:00 PM EST vs. Shepherd Smash!

Tune in live and cheer them on from home: 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Pc1ONQgVM

04/10/2026

Tune in live and cheer them on! The Ga***rd Warriors are at Nationals and gearing up for Game 3 vs. the Carolina Crash! 💪🏉

Tune in live and cheer them on!

8:30 a.m. - TIRR Texans vs. Las Vegas High Rollers (DI)10 a.m. - Seattle Slam vs. University of Michigan (DII)11:30 a.m. - Ga***rd Warriors vs. Carolina Cras...

04/09/2026

🚨 Game Time Update! 🚨

The next Ga***rd Warriors game tips off at 5:00 PM!

Let’s keep the energy going as the team continues their run at Nationals 💪🔥

You can catch every moment live—check out the full schedule and livestream links below and cheer them on from home!

Ga***rd Warriors Game Schedule

All times listed in Central Time (CST) and Eastern Time (EST)

Thursday, April 9
11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST – vs. Oscar Mike Militia
4:00 PM CST / 5:00 PM EST – vs. Denver Barbarians
🎥 Watch both: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Psr6_wHp0

Friday, April 10
11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST – vs. Carolina Crash – 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4-ayST4G1Y

4:00 PM CST / 5:00 PM EST – vs. Shepherd Smash – 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Pc1ONQgVM

Saturday, April 11
10:00 AM CST / 11:00 AM EST – vs. Magee Eagles – 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol8v0vCszmQ

2:30 PM CST / 3:30 PM EST – Final Games Begin
4:00 PM CST / 5:00 PM EST – DIII National Championship

***rdWarriors

04/09/2026

🏉 It’s GAME DAY! Nationals start TODAY!

The Ga***rd Warriors take the court at the USWRA Wheelchair Rugby Nationals—tune in live and cheer them on!

Today’s Games:
• 11:30 AM – vs. Oscar Mike Militia
• 4:00 PM – vs. Denver Barbarians

🎥 Watch both games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Psr6_wHp0

***rdWarriors

Let’s meet our Teams! Finishing off with Division 3

Up first, we have the number 5 ranked team in Division 3 – the Ga***rd Warriors!

The Warriors practice out of the North Haven, CT area at North Haven Parks and Recreation. Come down to Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, AL to see them in action April 9-11!

04/08/2026

A huge thank you to Athletic Brewing Company and their Two For The Trails program for supporting the 2026 Ga***rd Gauntlet as our Trail Grooming Sponsor.

Their partnership helps ensure our trails are race-day ready, creating the best possible experience for every participant taking on the Gauntlet challenge. We are grateful for their commitment to outdoor spaces, trail stewardship, and community impact.

Thank you for helping us make every mile matter in support of Ga***rd’s Sports Association!.

Brewing Company LLC. Milford, CT and San Diego, CA. Near Beer

04/08/2026

Wheelchair Rugby Nationals start tomorrow! 🔥🏉

The Ga***rd Warriors Wheelchair Rugby Team is headed to Alabama for the 2026 USWRA National Championships at Lakeshore—their first time competing at Nationals!

After an incredible season, this team is ready to take on teams from across the U.S. and leave it all on the court.

Can’t make it in person? Catch all the action live:
🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com//streams

👉 Tournament info & schedule: https://www.lakeshore.org/activity/sports-recreation/tournaments/2026-uswra-national-championships/

Watch, cheer, and support—let’s go Warriors! 💪

3️⃣ Days Out! We're just a few days away from the 2026 United States Wheelchair Rugby Association National Championships - have you made your watch plans yet?
Come out to Lakeshore April 9-12 to cheer on the teams in-person, or catch all the action on USWRA's YouTube channel. Visit lakeshore.org/uswra-nationals2026 to get all the details on what will undoubtedly be a thrilling weekend of wheelchair rugby!

04/07/2026

Fast. Fierce. Full-contact. ⚡
Wheelchair rugby never slows down, and neither does player Joe Stone! Catch him on Chaz and AJ Show today at 9 a.m. talking about the Nationals-bound Ga***rd Warriors.

04/01/2026

"It's truly incredible to realize that the things you once saw as limitations aren't holding you back at all. They're actually strengths." - Jessica Youngblood

The journey from beginner to world champion can happen fast - just ask Ga***rd Sports Association athlete Jessica Youngblood, who took first place at the TetraSki International Championship in Utah. Along with her guide from Summit Adaptive Sports, Jess outskiied competitors from all over the world ... only TWO months after her first time on the slopes! 🏅

Way to Think Possible!