The Hartford Nationals

SPREAD THE WORD

The Harford Nationals conducted by Move United

in Grand Rapids, MI, July 11-17, 2025

Help make the 2025 The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United the best yet and showcase the Michigan community by sharing the opportunities below with your network.

ABOUT THE HARTFORD NATIONALS

Sport pushes what’s possible for people with disabilities, confronting ignorance, fueling conversation, and inciting action that leads to a world where everyone’s included. This is one of the goals of The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United. Now in its 68th year, The Hartford Nationals, scheduled for July 11-17 in Grand Rapids, MI, is the largest and longest-standing national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, or intellectual disability. Hundreds of athletes with disabilities from around the nation will compete in the weeklong event, led locally by the West Michigan Sports Commission and Move United member organization, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. The event includes competitions, clinics, education and social opportunities. The sports contested include archery, boccia, para powerlifting, paratriathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair tennis.

The Hartford Nationals serves as a platform to promote physical activity and independence for individuals with disabilities and may one day lead them to compete at the international level and the Paralympic Games. It is truly a one-of-a-kind event and we invite the entire community to engage as the event is in YOUR backyard in both 2025 and 2026.

See below for the top 5 ways you and your program can get involved:

1 - COMPETE

Athlete and coach registration are live through June 27 with late registration from June 28- July 1st.

Move United would love to see 600+ new and returning athletes as well as coaches' at this year's event.

Review eligibility requirements, qualifying standards and the Move United Sanctioned Competitions as qualifying opportunities throughout the United States.

Do you live locally and want the opportunity to qualify in track and field or swimming? Check out the Michigan Victory Games and Miller Family Open.

Interested in joining Team Michigan? Contact Maria at Maria.Besta@maryfreebed.com

REVIEW ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS...

2 - VOLUNTEER

Over 250 volunteers are needed onsite the week of Nationals. Volunteers are critical to the success of the national championship event. Various roles exist to help out, including but not limited to sport timers, logistics set up, break down, check in of athletes or volunteers, food and beverage support, and more.

Our Challenge to you is to spread the word to a minimum of ten people to sign up to volunteer and encourage them to do the same. The registration link is NOW LIVE. Sign up for dates and time slots TODAY! Dive into the action and join us and make a difference!

For groups of 10 or more, please reach out directly to Katy at ktigchelaar@westmisports.com.

3 - DONATE & SPONSOR

Your donation or sponsorship can help athletes gain independence and confidence and give them an opportunity to showcase their abilities through sport.

Financial support will help enhance the quality of the experience for athletes and help offset the cost of developing, planning and facilitating the event which exceeds $400,000.

There are many ways you can support the event, including a range of sponsor levels, vendor opportunities and in-kind support of our wish list. Reach out to us today to maximize the benefit of your donation or sponsorship.

VIEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

4 - FANS IN THE STANDS...

COME CHEER ON THE ATHLETES!

Come out and cheer on the athletes! Entrance to all competition events are FREE and open to the public.

Let this event ignite your excitement around the power of sport and competition.

VIEW EVENT SCHEDULE AND VENUE LOCATIONS

5 - SPREAD THE WORD

Join us in unlocking dreams and creating a sense of belonging for our community by sharing the stories.

Highlight the event using the following downloadable outreach materials:

Save the Date
An Event Fact Sheet
2025 Blog Announcement
Event flyer / poster
2024 Event Video and 2025 Event Teaser
…And MORE!

VIEW OUTREACH MATERIALS AND THE MEDIA CENTER

ABOUT MOVE UNITED

Move United is the national leader in community adaptive sports, empowering 125,000 youth and adults with disabilities each year to live to their fullest potential. Move United’s 244 member organizations in 45 states, are united by a single mission: ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, experiences the life-changing power of sport and is fully included in their community.

Move United, an Affiliate of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become physically and emotionally stronger through participation in over 70 adaptive sports. Established in 1956, Move United offers community-based sports recreation, education and competition that push people further, bring people closer and leave no one on the sidelines.

Join our MOVEment at www.moveunitedsport.org.

Need more info? Visit TheHartfordNationals.org