Grand Rapids Gears Up to Host The Hartford Nationals Conducted by Move United July 11-17
West Michigan Sports Commission Seeks 600 Volunteers Plus Vendors and Sponsors in the Largest and Longest-Running National Adaptive Sports Competition
(GRAND RAPIDS, MI – MAY 13, 2025) In two months, Grand Rapids will host The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United, the largest and longest-running national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, and/or intellectual disability. Scheduled July 11-17, the competition is hosted locally by the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) and Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports, who are seeking hundreds of community members now to get involved.
Attracting over 400 of the best adaptive athletes in the country, this national championship held in Grand Rapids in 2025 and 2026 (won through a nationwide bid process) includes competitions in archery, boccia, para powerlifting, paratriathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair tennis, as well as clinics, educational sessions, and social opportunities. Athletes competing in Grand Rapids must have qualified through one of more than 35 sanctioned competitions that took place across the country throughout the Move United member network, a national governing body, or High School Athletic Association sanctioned event. This national competition has been a steppingstone for many athletes to progress and compete at an international level, including the Paralympic Games.
“We are thrilled to host this prestigious national event in Grand Rapids in 2025 and 2026, and we invite our business and community members to get involved in helping welcome hundreds of athletes from around the country to compete in West Michigan,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the WMSC.
Volunteer Opportunities
More than 600 volunteers are needed for the week-long competition to support the hundreds of participating athletes and coaches. At the 2024 The Hartford Nationals, nearly 400 youth and adult athletes with disabilities and over 150 coaches from 34 states and the District of Columbia participated, which is expected to increase this year.
Various volunteer roles are available, including but not limited to announcing, sport timing, logistics set up and break down, athlete check in, food and beverage support, and more. Volunteer opportunities exist during the day and evening, and groups are encouraged to sign up together. Volunteers must be at least sixteen years of age and will receive a free T-shirt. Those interested in participating can learn more at TheHartfordNationals.org (visit the official volunteer page tinyurl.com/hartfordnationals for schedule and sign-up information). Groups of 10 or more who wish to volunteer together should contact Sam Romero at the West Michigan Sports Commission.
Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities
Vendors and event sponsors are also being sought. Vendors have multiple opportunities to showcase their services and products, either as a day or weeklong vendor. Limited space is available, with a deadline of May 30 to submit interest. Contact Susan Rossi with questions.
Sponsors also are essential to the event’s success, with financial support enhancing the quality of the experience for athletes and offsetting the cost of developing, planning, promoting and facilitating the event. Sponsorship levels and benefits vary, starting at $1,000, along with in-kind donation opportunities. Contact Barb Benda with the West Michigan Sports Commission to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
For more information about being a vendor or sponsor, visit TheHartfordNationals.org.
The local organizing committee is being spearheaded by the West Michigan Sports Commission with support from Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports.
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 240 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 more than 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 moveunitedsport.org.
ABOUT THE WEST MICHIGAN SPORTS COMMISSION
The non-profit West Michigan Sports Commission identifies, secures and hosts youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the economy and quality of life in West Michigan. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 1,328 sporting events and tournaments that attracted more than 2.4 million athletes and visitors, generating over $738 million in estimated economic impact. Visit westmisports.com, Facebook.com/WestMichiganSportsCommission and Instagram.com/westmisports for more information.
ABOUT MARY FREE BED WHEELCHAIR AND ADAPTIVE SPORTS
Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is one of the largest programs of its kind in the country. Every year, Mary Free Bed provides enriching recreational opportunities to hundreds of people with disabilities – last year it totaled over 1,700 participants. Athletes of all ages and abilities participated in over 40 different classes, clinics and teams – including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, handcycling and wheelchair softball. Visit maryfreebed.com/sports for more information.
