UNION CITY, Ga. – May 28, 2026 – With the 2026 Warrior Games lower than a month away, Team Army opponents are transferring ahead with confidence after finishing Army Team Sports Camp earlier this month, the place they sharpened expertise in wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.
Throughout the coaching camp, Team Army opponents skilled collectively in adaptive group sports activities that required communication, belief and resilience, qualities many opponents stated mirrored their army expertise.
While the bodily calls for of camp examined endurance and flexibility, opponents stated the expertise strengthened one thing equally vital: connection.
Inside the health club, the sounds of wheelchairs colliding throughout wheelchair rugby drills, teammates calling out performs throughout wheelchair basketball and opponents encouraging each other throughout the sitting volleyball court docket mirrored the camaraderie constructed all through the week.
“The time spent together has helped us build chemistry as a team,” stated Sgt. Elon Smith. “At trials, everything was random. Here, we learned each other’s strengths and how to work together.”
Team sports activities camp introduced collectively Team Army opponents from throughout the nation to sharpen expertise forward of the Warrior Games, scheduled for June 13-20 in San Antonio. Beyond making ready for competitors, opponents shared that the week strengthened confidence, accountability and the significance of counting on teammates all through restoration.
Unlike particular person sports activities, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball require teammates to continually talk, adapt and belief each other.
For 1st Lt. Jake Malven, sports activities coaching camp required him to belief his teammates whereas additionally strengthening his sense of belonging and objective past the challenges he confronted at a Soldier Recovery Unit.
“Trials and sports camp reminded me my illness does not define me,” Malven stated. “Watching other Soldiers push themselves motivated me to step outside my comfort zone and grow alongside them.”
The environment all through camp balanced competitiveness with encouragement. Competitors exchanged recommendation between drills, helped teammates modify gear and constructed chemistry that continued to develop with every apply session.
For many opponents, the relationships shaped throughout camp turned simply as significant because the preparation itself.
“I enjoyed every minute of playing alongside my teammates,” stated Sgt. Tukiau Salanoa-Tuioti. “The camaraderie stayed strong throughout the entire camp.”
For Salanoa-Tuioti, the expertise additionally marked her first time taking part in adaptive group sports activities.
“This was my first time playing these sports, and it’s been inspirational,” she stated.
As Team Army continues making ready for the Warrior Games, opponents collectively share that the teachings discovered throughout group sports activities camp will lengthen far past competitors.
Through adaptive group sports activities, many opponents strengthened not solely their aggressive expertise, but in addition the belief, connection and help methods that proceed to hold them ahead collectively.