The Wheelchair Mavericks - Four Time National Champions of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association

National Wheelchair Basketball Association Champions 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997

It's ability, not disability that counts

Journey of the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks

The Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks have been in existence since 1972. Originally started as the Dallas Raiders by two Vietnam Veterans, the team changed its name in 1981 under a publicity agreement with the emergent NBA Dallas Mavericks. On a national level the Wheelchair Mavericks are one of the top teams winning the National Wheelchair Basketball Association's Championship for four consecutive years from 1996-97 - 2000-2001 when the association had to change the rules specifically to make competition more equitable for the other teams!!.

Internationally, the team has traveled to Japan, Britain, Canada and Mexico in their pursuit of wheelchair basketball excellence and have returned home undefeated from each trip. In 1997, as a result of their NWBA championship, the Mavericks were invited to Madrid, Spain to compete in what is still the only world club championship ever held. In the semi-final game the Mavericks defeated the European Champions, Auxerre from France. In the championship game the Mavericks defeated the host team Fundacion who had, in turn, beaten the Australian champions in the other semi-final.

The Wheelchair Mavericks roster approximately 12 athletes each year. The overall organization also supports a Division 2 team, and a woman's team (see below). The cost of fulfilling the competitive requirements of the team are well in excess of $100,000 provided by sponsors such as American Airlines, and the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. The Mavericks are always looking for sponsors who can help the organization fulfill its mission.

In addition to their prowess on the court, the Wheelchair Mavericks' personnel have worked to improve the image of individuals with disabilities in the Metroplex community. From providing educational scholarships at the University of Texas at Arlington, and the Texas Woman's University; to providing speakers and demonstrations that assist the community in understanding the capabilities of the disabled; the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks are working in our community. The Wheelchair Mavericks are proud to work with the NBA Mavericks in their Adopt-a-school and Read-to-Achieve initiatives

MISSION STATEMENT The Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks endeavor to: Use our resources to help improve the condition of the lives of individuals with disabilities. Use our resources to support agencies working to help improve the condition of the lives of individuals with disabilities. Use our resources to maintain a competitive wheelchair basketball team and demonstrate that: ABILITY, NOT DISABILITY,COUNTS.

The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) has approximately 200 teams in 5 divisions including one woman's division, and one junior division. The three male adult divisions are open to any person with a permanent disability of the lower limbs that prevent the athlete from competing equally in "stand-up" basketball. Members of the junior and women's divisions are eligible to play in the male adult leagues. The three divisions are: Division 3: Local, recreational, with highly regional competition. This division is meant for small organizations who have developing players and older players who do not want to undertake the rigors of competition. Division 2: Based on NCAA conference type competition. Players are local and the game is conducted according to NCAA rule Division 1: Based on national competition with players being recruited nationally (with certain restriction). The game is played according to NBA rules with minor variations. Division 1 represents the top of the competitive pyramid for the NWBA.

National Wheelchair Basketball Association Champions 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 *It's ability, not disability that counts* Journey of the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks The Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks have been in existence since 1972. Originally started as the Dallas Raiders by two Vietnam Veterans, the team changed its name in 1981 under a publicity agreement with the emergent NBA Dallas Mavericks. On a national level the Wheelchair Mavericks are one of the top teams winning the National Wheelchair Basketball Association's Championship for four consecutive years from 1996-97 - 2000-2001 when the association had to change the rules specifically to make competition more equitable for the other teams!!. Internationally, the team has traveled to Japan, Britain, Canada and Mexico in their pursuit of wheelchair basketball excellence and have returned home undefeated from each trip. In 1997, as a result of their NWBA championship, the Mavericks were invited to Madrid, Spain to compete in what is still the only world club championship ever held. In the semi-final game the Mavericks defeated the European Champions, Auxerre from France. In the championship game the Mavericks defeated the host team Fundacion who had, in turn, beaten the Australian champions in the other semi-final. The Wheelchair Mavericks roster approximately 12 athletes each year. The overall organization also supports a Division 2 team, and a woman's team (see below). The cost of fulfilling the competitive requirements of the team are well in excess of $100,000 provided by sponsors such as American Airlines, and the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. The Mavericks are always looking for sponsors who can help the organization fulfill its mission. In addition to their prowess on the court, the Wheelchair Mavericks' personnel have worked to improve the image of individuals with disabilities in the Metroplex community. From providing educational scholarships at the University of Texas at Arlington, and the Texas Woman's University; to providing speakers and demonstrations that assist the community in understanding the capabilities of the disabled; the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks are working in our community. The Wheelchair Mavericks are proud to work with the NBA Mavericks in their Adopt-a-school and Read-to-Achieve initiatives MISSION STATEMENT The Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks endeavor to: Use our resources to help improve the condition of the lives of individuals with disabilities. Use our resources to support agencies working to help improve the condition of the lives of individuals with disabilities. Use our resources to maintain a competitive wheelchair basketball team and demonstrate that: ABILITY, NOT DISABILITY,COUNTS. The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) has approximately 200 teams in 5 divisions including one woman's division, and one junior division. The three male adult divisions are open to any person with a permanent disability of the lower limbs that prevent the athlete from competing equally in "stand-up" basketball. Members of the junior and women's divisions are eligible to play in the male adult leagues. The three divisions are: Division 3: Local, recreational, with highly regional competition. This division is meant for small organizations who have developing players and older players who do not want to undertake the rigors of competition. Division 2: Based on NCAA conference type competition. Players are local and the game is conducted according to NCAA rule Division 1: Based on national competition with players being recruited nationally (with certain restriction). The game is played according to NBA rules with minor variations. Division 1 represents the top of the competitive pyramid for the NWBA.
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