The University of Lethbridge is hosting a powerchair soccer league, which was initiated by graduate student Chase Petruska. Petruska was inspired to start the league after finding that Lethbridge did not have any powerchair sports leagues; ULethbridge subsequently provided the league with funding, discounted gym access, space for powerchair storage, and support toward player recruitment. “I’ve had a lot of players come up to me and tell me how much powerchair sports and how much powerchair soccer means to them, because for them, it’s two hours where they’re no longer just an individual with a physical disability,” said Petruska. “They’re an individual that’s an athlete.” Some players are also helping Petruska with research on mental health and stress faced by people with disabilities.
