Wheelchair hockey tourney July 17-19
By Staff Reports
Published in News on July 8, 2009 1:43 PM
RALEIGH -- Carolina Fury, an area electric wheelchair hockey team, will participate in the first Carolina Powerhockey Invitational Tournament, taking place in Raleigh July 17-19.
Preliminary games will be held at Millbrook High School. The RBC will host the third place and championship games.
Sanctioned by the N.C. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association, or NCEWHA, Carolina Fury will represent North Carolina in the event and face off against teams from Minnesota, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
NCEWHA founder Jonathan Greeson of Pikeville said the organization provides a quality hockey program for those who require the use of an electric wheelchair in daily life. Players of all ages are able to participate, he said, and there are plans to eventually expand the league to different parts of the state.
The upcoming tournament is one more way to promote awareness of the sport, said Greeson, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 2. He founded the organization for disabled athletes in 2003.
"I'm very excited that North Carolina has the opportunity to host this event," he said. "It is a huge step for us as we try to grow our program. We have traveled to tournaments before but by hosting, we will be able to actually show new recruits this amazing game. Hopefully, by seeing the game, they will decide to play. Then we can start new teams and develop our own league."
The public is invited to attend the support the local wheelchair hockey team. Sponsors are also needed for the event.
For more informationa about the upcoming tournament, call Greeson at 394-0700, or visit the Website at www.ncpowerhockey.com.