Athletes line up for swimming competition
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Junior Nationals

Move United
Junior Nationals

Sports make us more.

Move United Junior Nationals presented by THE HARTFORD is the largest, long-standing annual multi-sport event in the United States for youth with a physical, visual, and/or intellectual impairment who are classifiable under the International Paralympic Committee’s classification system.

 

It is a week-long national sport championship event open to athletes through the age of 22. Sports on the program include archery, paratriathlon, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair tennis. The event serves as a platform to promote physical activity and independence for youth with a disability. Participate as an event volunteer or sponsor.

 

The 2022 Move United Junior Nationals presented by THE HARTFORD took place in Metro Denver, July 16-22, 2022. Junior Nationals draws over 300 athletes from around the U.S. to compete in 7 sports throughout the week. In addition to competition,  socials, educational sessions, and sports clinics for athletes, coaches, and family members take place. The event was possible in 2022 through generous volunteerism including the 2022 Local Organizing Committee.

 

Thank you Eagle Sportschairs for auctioning a sportchair at the event again this year!  See why Eagle Sportchairs are  amazing!

FAQs

How do I qualify and become eligible for Move United Junior Nationals?

General eligibility requirements can be found online.

How do I book my hotel room?

Please find hotel information on the Hotels & Host City page.

What are the event's COVID-19 protocols?

Move United 2021 Junior Nationals presented by The Hartford Covid-19 Protocols

Download the Move United 2021 Junior Nationals Covid-19 Protocols

Please note: As of June 8, 2021, contact tracing, temperature checks and spectator limits have been removed from the COVID plan. All other aspects continue to remain including, but not limited to, face coverings and physical distancing. Please know this is subject to change up until the date of the event.

Will any meals be available during the event?

Below is the plan for meal availability at the event:

Daily Lunch (Sunday through Friday)

Welcome Ceremony

Closing Celebration

Can I extend my hotel stay before and/or after the event starts and ends

Yes. Most hotels will offer a +/- rate of two days before the event starts and ends.

How much does it cost to participate in Move United Junior Nationals?

Please visit the “registration” page.

I have a visual impairment. Can you provide me with a guide? If I bring my own, will they need to register and/or pay?

You must provide your own guide and guide vest. The guide should register under the Coach registration link and sign the waiver and code of conduct. The guide’s registration fee will be waived. If you cannot find a guide, please inform Jessie Cloy (jcloy@moveunitedsport.org) by the close of registration. The local organizing committee will do its best to assist you.

Do I need to be a member of a team to register?

No. Although around twenty teams of various sizes attend Junior Nationals, over two dozen independents are typically represented as well. We suggest independent athletes join forces with other independents as well as buddy up with the teams. Don’t be shy and ask if help is needed!

Do I need a coach?

A coach is highly suggested. Registered coaches will have access to nightly coaches’ meetings to obtain information as well as event specific heat sheets. Your parent may register as a coach to gain access to these meetings.

Do I need an appointment for classification?

If you have a physical impairment and you have not yet been nationally classified or you need to be seen again in classification, then you MUST make an appointment. Athletes with a visual impairment or intellectual impairment must be classified prior to attending Junior Nationals. For more information scroll to the bottom of the Eligibility page.

What if I need to change my classification appointment time?

To change your classification time, contact Jessica Cloy at jessie.cloy@adaptivesportsusa.org. Do not book a new classification time in our system until you have been in contact with Jessica.

Do I need to bring my own equipment?

On most occasions, yes. Please note the sport specific needs:

  • Archery: Bring all necessary equipment.
  • Field: Please bring needed throwing chairs. Throwing implements are provided at the event. If you choose to use your own implements, they must be approved through weights and measures prior to the event during times marked “implement check in” on the schedule. Once the implements are weighed/measured, they will be impounded, and athletes should pick them up after the event at the implement check in area. Any personal implements used will also be available to others in your field pit.
  • Paratriathlon: Wheelchair athletes must bring their own racing chairs. All athletes should bring their own helmets. Bicycles (upright 2-wheel bicycle, tandem bicycle, handcycle, and recumbent tricycle) will be available to borrow on a first come first serve basis. Any athlete needing to borrow a bike should indicate this on his/her registration form. Move United will contact you if a bike is not available for you to borrow.
  • Powerlifting: Equipment will be provided for those registered in the event. Please ensure your competition gears meets the sport-specific requirements.
  • Shooting: Equipment will be provided for those registered in the event.
  • Swimming: Bring all necessary equipment to include suit, cap and goggles.
  • Track: Bring all necessary equipment to include a helmet, racing chair, track spikes, and/or guide runner vest. All spikes must be pyramids and not exceed ¼” (7mm). High jumpers and javelin throwers may use 3/8” (9mm) spikes. No Christmas tree or Need styled spikes will be allowed. Starting blocks will be provided.
  • General: Sunscreen, shade tents, and chairs advised for outdoor venues. A water bottle and athletic clothing advised.

Will equipment storage be available onsite?

Yes, equipment storage is available for track and field. Anything stored onsite is stored at your own risk.

Will there be medical support onsite?

Medical staff, emergency services, and/or first aid will be available at the venues during all scheduled hours of competition. Additionally, the nearest medical facility to the host hotel and competition venues will be identified.

How do I obtain heat sheets?

Heat sheets will be given out at the coaches’ meetings to those with a coach credential. The heat sheets will provide starting times, order of heats, and listing of all athletes within each heat.

When and where are results posted?

Results will be posted as soon as possible at each sport venue and at the host hotel as well as on the “awards and results” page.

Where do I get updates and announcements?

Please follow us on social media and share with your friends!

Facebook – @MoveUnitedSports
Twitter – @MoveUnitedSport
Instagram – @MoveUnitedSport
YouTube – @MoveUnited
LinkedIn – @MoveUnited

How can I donate to Move United Junior Nationals?

Every donation counts!

Would you like to support Move United Junior Nationals with an individual gift of any size? Please make a secure online tax deductible donation here:

https://moveunitedsport.org/donate/ 

Is there an emergency plan?

An emergency plan will be posted for each venue prior to competition on the “event venues” tab and available at the orientations and coaches meetings.

What happens in the case of inclement weather?

Weather announcements will be posted on Facebook and on this webpage as well as posted at the host hotel. If severe weather happens during a competition, an announcement will be made and the emergency plan will be followed. A rain day make up time frame exists on Friday.

Contacts

Local Sponsorship Info
Susan Rossi, Director of Competition
240-268-5379, srossi@moveunitedsport.org

 

Registration, Eligibility and Sports-Specific Info
Jessie Cloy, Competition Manager
240-268-5380, jcloy@moveunitedsport.org

 

National Sponsorship Info
Dave Simonson, Development Director
301-217-9837, dsimonson@moveunitedsport.org

 

Media Relations
Shuan Butcher, Communications Manager
240-268-2180, sbutcher@moveunitedsport.org

 

Volunteer Manager
Renée Lee
jrnationals@moveunitedsport.org

 

 

Sponsors

Group of smiling adaptive youth athletes
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Participating at nationals for the athletes is truly a growth experience not only from a travel perspective but also from the aspect of being a fierce competitor on the field of play and then putting that aside and supporting, cheering on and complimenting a fellow competitor. Learning from others and respecting others and their efforts and abilities to be the best they can be.

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I love the event very much because it brings out the best in me and makes me feel stronger and more empowered. I trained hard to get here but I know I could train harder

Group of athletes smiling at the camera
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It means we are a part of something greater and bigger than ourselves, while still being included in something that affects and encourages all of us individually.

Group of young athletes posed for a group picture holding a bennett blazers banner
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It was a good feeling to be a part of something so big. I liked watching the athletes compete hard. I liked being with my team. I made new friends and I really liked the competition. It took a lot of practice to get there.