Paralympic Gold Medalist and Wheelchair Basketball Player Matt Scott to Surprise Six Athletes with Custom-Fit Adaptive Sports Equipment
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 1, 2026 – The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United, the largest and longest-running national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, or intellectual disability, returns to Grand Rapids, July 10-16. The event again will be hosted by the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) and Move United member organization, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports.
Athletes competing qualify 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 a high school athletic association sanctioned event. This year’s event will welcome 424 athletes and 146 coaches from 38 states and the District of Columbia, including 35 from Michigan (a record high for the state and up from 30 in 2025). Featured sports include archery, boccia, para powerlifting, paratriathlon and aquathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair and para standing tennis.
“What I love about this competition is that it is the origin story for so many Team USA Paralympians,” said Move United CEO Glenn Merry. “When the world stage returns to Los Angeles in just two years, we will trace their competitive transformation to The Hartford Nationals.”
The local organizing committee is spearheaded by the West Michigan Sports Commission, selected through a nationwide bid process to host the event in 2025 and 2026, with support from Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. Local venues hosting competition events throughout the week include Calvin University’s Gainey Athletic Facility (track & field and welcome ceremony), Calvin University’s Venema Aquatic Center (swimming), Mary Free Bed YMCA (archery and para powerlifting), Millennium Park (paratriathlon), MSA Fieldhouse (boccia and shooting), MVP Athletic Club (tennis) and the Grand Rapids Public Museum (closing celebration). Participants and their families will stay at hotels across the region, with the event generating an estimated economic impact of more than $2 million in direct visitor spending.
“The West Michigan Sports Commission is honored to again host The Hartford Nationals in Grand Rapids with Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports, and we look forward to building on the positive momentum of a successful 2025 event,” said West Michigan Sports Commission President Mike Guswiler. “We encourage even greater participation from the West Michigan community – whether volunteering or spectating, events are free and open to the public. We hope to welcome even more athletes from across the country.”
During the event, The Hartford, joined by Paralympic gold medalist and wheelchair basketball player Matt Scott, will surprise six athletes with custom-fit adaptive sports equipment. In addition, one athlete, nominated by their peers, will receive The Hartford’s Human Achievement Award. This honor recognizes an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the adaptive sports movement and serves as a role model to others. The award includes a $2,500 grant to support the recipient’s training and travel as they pursue their athletic goals.
“The Hartford Nationals is a powerful example of what is possible when adaptive athletes have greater access to sport,” said Claire Burns, chief marketing and customer officer at The Hartford. “Through our long-standing partnership with Move United, we’re helping make adaptive equipment and competitive opportunities more accessible. We’re proud to support an event that not only showcases elite talent but also helps build a more inclusive future for adaptive sports.”
In addition to the competitions taking place, clinics and educational sessions will include sports such as adaptive judo, field hockey, wheelchair softball, swimming, and tennis. Paralympians Daniel Romanchuk, Brian Siemann, and Eliaz Willis will also lead track clinics. Other Paralympic athletes, such as Amanda McGrory and four-time rugby medalist Chuck Aoki of Ypsilanti, will serve as announcers during the competitions.
Visitor Information
Visitors are encouraged to attend The Hartford Nationals, with all competition events open to the public, including the Opening Ceremony Friday, July 10, 6:30-7:15 p.m. at Gainey Athletic Complex at Calvin University, 1661 E. Paris Ave SE. For information about The Hartford Nationals, visit TheHartfordNationals.org. See a day by day schedule here or the schedule PDF for exact times of daily events.
More than 500 volunteers are needed to support the week-long competition, with various volunteer roles available. Those interested can learn more at TheHartfordNationals.org (see volunteer page) or https://signup.com/go/yTcagbU. Groups who wish to volunteer should contact Katy Tigchelaar (ktigchelaar@westmisports.com) at the West Michigan Sports Commission.
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 1,433 events attracting over 2.8 million athletes and visitors, generating over $822 million in total estimated economic impact. Visit westmisports.com Facebook.com/WestMichiganSportsCommission and @westmisports on Twitter and Instagram.
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.
About Move United
Move United is the national leader in community adaptive sports, empowering 131,000 youth and adults with disabilities each year to live to their fullest potential. Move United’s 250+ member organizations in 45 states and the District of Columbia 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 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.
About The Hartford
The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance and employee benefits. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com.
