<![CDATA[Dwarf Athletic Association of America - President\'s Message]]>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:02:56 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Thank You & Introducing your new DAAA President!]]>Mon, 28 Aug 2017 23:38:04 GMThttp://www.daaa.org/presidents-message/thank-you-introducing-your-new-daaa-presidentAugust 28, 2017
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Dear DAAA community,

Thank you for the opportunity to lead DAAA for the past three years. It has been an honor and privilege serving as your DAAA President, Chef de Mission and board member. Growing up in DAAA, it was always a dream of mine to engage the world and leading DAAA has been perfect. It was a joy to participate as your leader at all levels of sport and competition.

I'm happy to report we were active at the regional level. More and more chapters and regions are connecting with DAAA and hosting their own boccia events, swim clinics, soccer games and other sporting events.  

If you're interested in seeing more regional events, or better yet organizing one, the possibilities are endless. We are currently looking to add more events, but we need local and passionate volunteers to make it happen.
 
At LPA National in Denver, we hosted boccia, revived the East vs. West softball game and organized an information workshop, introducing DAAA to new parents and featuring dwarf Paralympian, Sophia Herzog.
 
It was moving to lead Team USA at the World Dwarf Games in Guelph, Canada. Our team was one hundred sixty-two athletes and over three hundred Team USA spectators. We dominated the medal count (293!), lived and breathed sportsmanship, reconnected with old friends and made new international friendships. I am so proud our representation of the USA both at home and abroad!

In 2016, it was an honor organizing and hosting the 30th National Games at Boston University with over 200 athletes competing and in St. Louis the year before that! Both were great years with fantastic athlete participation and support.

The path to Paralympics is reviving with opportunities for dwarfs to compete in field throwing events, swimming, powerlifting, badminton and more.  

Most importantly, I would not have been able to do it without volunteers and donors like all of you. Thank you for showing up at 6 am to tape boccia courts, thank you for organizing swimmers before their race, thank you for coaching a new independent junior team and showing them how to work together and have fun. Thank you for baking cakes to support DAAA and fund your journey to the Games, thank you for asking for donations to DAAA in lieu of birthday presents. You make DAAA happen and you are the reason DAAA continues to grow and thrive.

Thanks to our corporate sponsors and donors who support the DAAA in all these endeavors and fund the level playing field so vital to our mission.

DAAA is such a wonderful organization where I learned confidence and had the time of my life competing and playing sports with athletes my size. It inspired me to go home and train; running alongside my average height peers, coming in last but persevering knowing that my goal was to compete with peers and hopefully win a medal.
 
DAAA is a fantastic organization that supports and empowers athletes of all ages. If you need another reason to believe in DAAA, watch the Futures 40m dash or Futures Soccer game.

I loved being your President but now I'm getting ready for the toughest event of all: parenting. My husband, Ben, and I are expecting a baby boy with Achondroplasia in January 2018. We are excited to cheer everyone on in the Orlando Games next summer and can't wait for 2022 when he will be able to compete in Future events.

Great news is you are in good hands. I'd like to introduce you to your new DAAA President,Amy Morris, a fellow DAAA athlete with a heart of gold and strong passion for DAAA. She prepared for this role as LPA Liaison on the DAAA board previously and already has plans to help DAAA grow and flourish. I can't wait to see what she does!
 
Congratulations also to your new DAAA board: Vice President - Ted Hannes, Athletic Director - Mike Krajewski, Treasurer - Jennifer Hamill, Fundraising Chair - Brandi Van Anne, Secretary - Sarah Crouch, Athlete Manager - Amy Freeman, IT/PR/Marketing -Jeremy Harrison, Board Member - Jeni Brown.

I'd also like to give a big thank you to the amazing outgoing DAAA board members, Megan Schimmel and Jessica Markbreiter, who did a wonderful job keeping DAAA organized and financially secure.

Thank you again to all of your for your amazing support, participation and hard work.
 
I wish you all the best in the rest of 2017 and in the years to come and I look forward to seeing you all in Orlando or at a regional event.

Thanks again! GO USA!

Best wishes,

Lucy Woika
415-244-9756
​lucywoika@gmail.com

 
PS. Appreciation to all of the volunteers and coaches who jumped in and helped out! Also, our amazing hosts for the World Dwarf Games, Heather Last Anderson, Derek Ferguson and their wonderful team of volunteers.

Huge thank you to the Team USA Leadership who made it happen - Assistant Chef- Ted Hannes, Mike Krajewski (Athletic Director/badminton), Amy Freeman (athlete housing/apparel), Jeremy Harrison (IT/coaching), Amy Morris, Brandi Van Anne and our amazing Team USA sport techs - Joann Cekanor (badminton), Pam Danberg (swimming), Scott Danberg (field), Shonna Schroedl (soccer and track), Pat and Julie Green (volleyball), Joe Foos (table tennis), Lynsie Pouliot (kurling), Neal Jones (soccer), Mike Cekanor (basketball), Darla and Alan Weststyn (boccia), Roger Pouliot (Denver boccia), Aric Smith (archery), Chris Kostas (powerlifting), Colin Kraft (floor hockey). I also want to thank our USA Flag Bearers, Amy Andrews and Connor Giofredda.

GO USA! Thank you also to our Team USA Sponsors:
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]]><![CDATA[World Dwarf Games Team USA Update - Hotels, Teams, Sports Managers needed!]]>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.daaa.org/presidents-message/world-dwarf-games-team-usa-update-hotels-teams-sports-managers-neededDecember 16, 2016

Hi everyone, 
 
Happy Holidays! I can't believe it's already December. 
 
With less than 9 months to go until the World Dwarf Games, I wanted to connect and provide some important updates and reminders. 
 
Team USA Update
Accommodations:
  • The hotels are FILLING UP! If you're interested in staying at the Delta or Holiday Inn, please make your reservation soon. 
  • Delta includes breakfast
  • Holiday Inn has a pool in the hotel
  • Athletes can stay in the dorms or hotel. Majority of athletes typically stay in dorms. Families typically choose hotel. 
  • Athletes under 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian to stay in the dorms.  
  • Dorm reservations (and dorm meal plan options) will be available in January. 
Sports Managers
  • We are still looking for Team USA sports managers for Archery, Shooting, Track & Field, Table Tennis. 
  • We're looking for people who are knowledgeable about the sport and have good training advice who can lead the Team USA contingent for each sport. 
  • This person must be over 18 and can be a little person or average height. 
Passport:
  • All American athletes and their families need to get their passport ASAP in order to get in and out of Canada smoothly. Click here for more info. This process can take up to 6 months!
  • Passport cards are an alternative, more affordable option. 
Teams:
  • JANUARY - Team USA Roster forms will be available to fill out. 
  • MAY 1 - Team USA team rosters (or teammate preference) are due to Team USA Leadership team.   
  • Team USA Leadership will compile rosters to finalize teams. 
  • Team USA Leadership reserves the right to change rosters, move players around and add independent players to teams to create the final rosters. 
  • All American athletes that register for the World Dwarf Games on time will be placed on a team. 
  • Please note, a maximum of 2 teams from each country are allowed to advance to the semi-finals so multiple Team USAs will play each other to determine which teams will advance to the semi-finals.
Registration:
  • JANUARY 15 - Online registration opens to compete at the 2017 World Dwarf Games WorldDwarfGames2017.org. Team USA registration closes April 1st. 
  • All athletes under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 
  • There will be NO onsite registration and no applications will be accepted after April 30th. No exceptions. 
  • The 2017 World Dwarf Games will have events for athletes of all ages including Futures (4-6 year olds), Juniors (8-15 year olds), Open (any age), and Master (35+ years old).
Uniforms:
  • Team USA uniforms will be available for individual purchase in January. 
  • These uniforms will NOT be altered but will be shipped out soon after you order them so you'll have plenty of time to alter them. 
Transportation:
  • Book your travel (flights, rental car, shuttle, etc.) to Guelph, Canada ASAP! 
  • If you fly into Toronto, there is a Red Car Transportation shuttle available to bring you to dorms/hotel from airport.
Training:
  • Athletes - start your training and conditioning NOW!
  • Check out the Overall Fitness Guide created by Assistant Chef de Mission and DAAA Vice President, Ted Hannes. 
  • Check out the specific training guides for each sport. 
  • Contact the sports managers about questions pertaining to rules, drills and skills. 
  • Promote your journey to the Games! Contact your local news and share your training journey with your friends, family and community. Send us a link and we'll promote it on Facebook and the website.
Denver 2017
  • DAAA will host a boccia event for all ages and abilities one day during the LPA National Conference June 30th-July 6th in Denver, CO and co-host the casual East vs. West Softball game. 
  • DAAA will not host any other sporting events in Denver. 
Fundraising: 
  • Donate today to support future DAAA National Games and Team USA by helping us hit our fundraising goal of $30,000. Every dollar helps.
  • Click HERE to donate to DAAA now!
  • Amazon purchases: go to smile.amazon.com, select DAAA, and every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation.
  • Mail a check to Dwarf Athletic Association of America, 300 Center Drive, Suite G #150, Superior, CO 80027
  • Ask if your company has a corporate matching gift/donation program. Double your donation today!
  • Want to create your own local fundraiser for DAAA?  Reach out to our Head of Fundraising Ted Hannes for examples and ideas.    
Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, feedback, suggestions, ideas or if you would like to get more involved in DAAA. 
 
Go Team USA!
 
Have a great day! 
 
Best, 
 Lucy Woika
Team USA Chef de Mission
DAAA President

Click here to donate to the 
Dwarf Athletic Association of America. ​]]><![CDATA[Happy #GivingTuesday! Support DAAA!]]>Wed, 30 Nov 2016 06:28:36 GMThttp://www.daaa.org/presidents-message/november-29th-2016Go Team USA!

November 29th, 2016 

Hi everyone, 

I hope you all are doing well and you had a nice Thanksgiving holiday. 

With less than 10 months to go until World Dwarf Games, I wanted to connect and provide some important updates and reminders. 

Fundraising: 

Today is #GivingTuesday. Donate today to support future DAAA National Games and Team USA by helping us hit our fundraising goal of $30,000. We've raised $16,063 so far. Only $14,937 to go! Every dollar helps.

Ways to donate: 
  • Click HERE to donate to DAAA now!
  • Amazon purchases: go to smile.amazon.com, select DAAA, and every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation.
  • Mail a check to Dwarf Athletic Association of America, 300 Center Drive, Suite G #150, Superior, CO 80027
  • Ask if your company has a corporate matching gift/donation program. Double your donation today!
  • Want to create your own local fundraiser for DAAA?  Reach out to our Head of Fundraising Ted Hannes for past examples and ideas.    

Team USA Update

Registration:
  • Online registration to compete at the 2017 World Dwarf Games will open at WorldDwarfGames2017.org on January 15th and close April 1st. 
  • All athletes under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 
  • There will be NO onsite registration and no applications will be accepted after April 30th. No exceptions. 
  • The 2017 World Dwarf Games will have events for athletes of all ages including Futures (4-6 year olds), Juniors (8-15 year olds), Open (16-35 year olds), and Master (35+ years old).
Uniforms:
  • Team USA uniforms will be available for individual purchase in January. 
  • These uniforms will NOT be altered but will be shipped out soon after you order them so you'll have plenty of time to alter them. 
Passport:
  • All American athletes and their families need to get their passport ASAP in order to get in and out of Canada smoothly. This process can take 6 months!
  • Passport cards are an alternative, more affordable option. 
Transportation:
  • Book your travel (flights, rental car, shuttle, etc.) to Guelph, Canada ASAP! 
  • If you fly into Toronto, there is a Red Car Transportation available to bring you to dorms/hotel from airport.
Accommodations:
  • Athletes can stay in the dorms or hotel. 
  • Majority of athletes will stay in the dorm.
  • Athletes under 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian to stay in the dorms. 
  • Hotel reservations are now open.
  • Dorm reservations (and dorm meal plan options) will be available in January. 
Teams:
  • All American athletes that register for the World Dwarf Games on time will be placed on a team. 
  • Please note, only 2 teams from each country are allowed to advance to the semi-finals so multiple Team USAs will play each other to determine which teams will advance to the semi-finals.
  • Athletes are invited to start creating your teams now. However, Team USA Leadership reserves the right to change these teams to create the final rosters. 
Training:
  • Athletes - start your training and conditioning NOW!
  • Check out the Overall Fitness Guide created by Assistant Chef de Mission and DAAA Vice President, Ted Hannes. 
  • Check out the specific training guides for each sport and contact the sports managers about questions pertaining to rules, drills and skills. 
  • Contact your local news and share your training journey with your friends, family and community. Then send DAAA a link and we'll promote it on Facebook and the website!


Denver 2017
  • DAAA will host a boccia event for all ages and abilities one day during the LPA National Conference June 30th-July 6th in Denver, CO and co-host the casual East vs. West Softball game. 
  • DAAA will not host any other sporting events in Denver. 
Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, feedback, suggestions, ideas or if you would like to get more involved in DAAA. 

Go Team USA!

Have a great day! 

Best, 

Lucy Woika

DAAA President
Chef de Mission, Team USA

daaa.lucy.woika@gmail.com
415-244-9756
]]><![CDATA[President's Message]]>Sun, 30 Oct 2016 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.daaa.org/presidents-message/presidents-messageHi everyone,

I hope you all had a great summer. The 30th National Games at Boston University were a huge success with over 150 athletes competing and the support of countless volunteers! Followed by an amazing performance by four of our own dwarf athletes, Sophia Herzog, Haley Beranbaum, Reilly Boyt, and Emily Frederick, competed in Rio at the Paralympic Games! Sophia Herzog won silver in the 100 Breaststroke! Congratulations everyone!
 
Now onto 2017! DAAA is excited to host boccia at the LPA National Conference in Denver in July 2017 and then support Team USA to compete at the World Dwarf Games  August 5th - 12th in Guelph, Canada! For more information, click here. Right now, athletes should check the website for important information such as key dates (online registration opens January 1st) and hotels are now available to book. Dorms will open registration with the Games registration in January. More details to follow, including a glimpse at the Team USA uniforms! Be sure to start training today!
 
Also, I would like to introduce your new DAAA Board: 
  • President - Lucy Woika
  • Vice President - Ted Hannes 
  • Treasurer - Megan Schimmel
  • Secretary - Jessica Markbreiter
  • Bookkeeper - Brandi Van Anne
  • Athletic Director - Mike Krajewski
  • Sports Manager - Amy Welch
  • LPA Liaison - Amy Morris
 
They are already working hard on organizing a few events for the Denver LPA conference and helping to prepare and fundraise for Team USA. Huge thank you to the board! Feel free to reach out to them today with questions and ideas! Want to get involved? DAAA is always in need of hardworking volunteers interested in helping bring DAAA and Team USA to the next level.  Reach out today and see how you can help.
 
We are still seeking a Fundraising/Development Coordinator. Please contact me if you have fundraising or development experience (especially in nonprofits) and you're interested in getting more involved. 
 
Additionally, I would like to introduce your Team USA Support Staff Leaders
  • Chef de Mission - Lucy Woika
  • Assistant Chef de Mission - Ted Hannes
  • Team USA Sports Performance Manager - Mike Krajewski
  • Athlete Accommodations/Uniform Manager - Amy Welch
    • Team USA Basketball manager - Mike Cekanor
    • Team USA Boccia managers - Alan and Darla Weststyn
    • Team USA Badminton manager - JoAnn Cekanor
    • Team USA Powerlifting manager - Chris Kostas
    • Team USA Field manager - Scott Danberg
    • Team USA Swimming manager - Sarah Ely
    • Team USA Kurling manager - Lynsie (Pouliot) Robbins
    •  Team USA Archery manager - Open
    • Team USA Track manager - Open
    • Team USA Table Tennis manager - Open
    • Team USA Shooting manager - Open
    • Team USA Volleyball manager - Ali Colon
We welcome all of the help we can get, especially with fundraising and organizing local and regional sporting events. To get more involved or for more information, please contact me (daaa.lucy.woika@gmail.com or 415 244 9756).

Also, take note: The DAAA mailing address has changed to 300 Center Drive, Suite G #150, Superior, CO 80027.
 
Next month, we are kicking off our fundraising process to support DAAA and Team USA with our Annual Appeal, new and improved thanks to our awesome new board! Get ready to donate!
 
We are so excited for this next year! Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to get more involved. 
Have a great day! 
 
Best,   Lucy]]>