The South Bay Wheelchair Athletic Program, together with the City of San Jose’s Office of Therapeutic Services, is devoted to enhancing the quality of life for persons with physical disabilities through recreation & competitive athletic and educational opportunities for all ages.

 The organization currently serves five wheelchair sports teams:

• "Wheels On Fire," Junior Wheelchair Sports Team.
• "Water Wheels," Swim Team.
• "San Jose Steam Rollers" Power Soccer Team.
• "San Jose Sting" Quad Rugby.
• "Pacific Spartans" Wheelchair Basketball.

 Active involvement can improve independence, self-esteem, peer and family support, physical strength, endurance, personal and physical fitness.

 There are over 100 active wheelchair athletes.

 There are over 40 competitions attended annually which include local, regional, national, and international events.

 There is no geographical limit. Because there are no similar programs offered, geographic representation currently runs from San Francisco to Monterey.

 There is no age limit. We are currently serving wheelchair athletes from five to sixty years of age.

 Ongoing practices for athletes are offered Monday through Saturday at the Branham Recreation and Aquatics Center for Persons with Disabilities.

 100% of all donations received go directly to the athletes. Administration, staffing, and in-kind support is provided by the City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, Office of Therapeutic Services.

 The South Bay Wheelchair Athletic Program is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.

The team is part of the "South Bay Wheelchair Athletic Program" which is sponsored in part by the City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, Office of Therapeutic Services. The team is a non-profit organization and all donations (which are tax deductible) go directly to the team for purchase of equipment, uniforms and to cover expenses incurred in competition (i.e. registration fees, travel expenses).

The team is always looking for new members. If you are interested, call the Office of Therapeutic Services at (408)267-0200 and ask for Liz Cartwright

A sports team comprised of youth between the ages of five and 18 with physical disabilities. Youth do not have to be a wheelchair user to participate on the team. Sports taught during the year include: tennis, archery, table tennis, track & field, slalom, basketball, floor hockey, and quad rugby.

Tournaments are held throughout the country during the various sport seasons. Members of the team are eligible to attend events such as the Jr. National Wheelchair Basketball tournament, the Far West Wheelchair Athletic Association Regional Games, and the National Wheelchair Athletic Association Junior National Games.

A swim team comprised of youth and adults with physical disabilities. Swimmers do not need to be wheelchair users to participate in the team. This team is open to any individual with a permanent physical disability. Individuals do not need to be "strong" swimmers, but should be able to swim one lap in a 25 yard pool independently. The City of San Jose’s Branham Aquatic Program also provides swimming lessons for individuals who wish to reach the goal of swimming 25 yards independently.

Members have the opportunity to compete, but it is optional. Annual competitions may include, but are not limited to: Far West Wheelchair Athletic Association Regional, Games, and the National Wheelchair Athletic Association National Games.

The team practices at the Branham Recreation and Aquatics Center located at 1570 Branham Lane near the corner of Branham Lane and Meridian Avenue.

Quad Rugby is a team sport for quadriplegics. It is played on a regulation basketball court using a regulation size volleyball. There are four players per team on the court at any one time and their classifications cannot exceed a total of eight points. The object of the game is to score goals by taking the ball across the opponents goal line. The ball can be passed, thrown, batted, rolled, dribbled or carried down the court.

Any quadriplegic using a manual wheelchair is eligible to play. Players are assigned a classification based on the United States Quad Rugby Association classification system. Athletes are currently classified as: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5 points. Higher classification numbers denote increased function. This classification system was developed to ensure that teams are playing with equal distribution of abilities during competition.

Tournaments are held throughout the country during the season which runs from fall through spring. The Regionals are typically held in March with the National Championships following in April.

The Pacific Spartans Wheelchair Basketball team is designed for men and women who push manual wheelchairs and enjoy the fast paced, competitive sport of basketball. the team is coached by Rod Williams and Assistant coach Mike Elix.

Any adult or teenager who has a permanent physical disability. Players must play from a manual wheelchair.

Tournaments are held throughout the country during the season which runs from fall through spring. The National Championships are usually held in April.

The sport - also known as motorsoccer was developed by a ten year old power chair user with Muscular Dystrophy. The game is played on a regulation basketball court with a large physioball. The object of the game is to push the ball down the court and across the opponents goal line. Teams are composed of four players each.

Any individual who uses a power wheelchair for mobility who is over the age of 5 is eligible to play.

As this is a relatively new sport there are only a few teams on the west coast. Currently, competitions typically include teams from Berkeley, San Diego and Vancouver, BC.