Sponsorship Information

Your sponsorship will ensure that DAAA athletes have the opportunity to participate in developmental and elite athletic competitions at this year’s World Dwarf Games.

The World Dwarf Games is the only opportunity for dwarf athletes to compete eye-to-eye in a competitive environment. Most children, youth and adults in the United States have numerous opportunities to participate in sports. These same opportunities are not always available to people with dwarfism.

Click here for the 2023 Team USA Sponsorship Packet. 

Please share this with friends, family, community and companies that would be interested in promoting their brand while supporting Team USA. 

If you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, click here or contact me at [email protected] or 415-244-9756.


2023 World Dwarf Games
July 28-August 5, 2023

The 8th World Dwarf Games are being held in Cologne, Germany, from July 28th-August 5th, 2023. DAAA is excited to organize Team USA! Any American dwarf athlete is invited to attend; there is no limit on the number of athletes.

Team USA Leaders
Picture
 Equipment
Hello Team USA! As you are preparing for the games, please take note of the recommended equipment needed for each sport.  Some sports require mandatory safety equipment.  Please make arrangements now to get the necessary items, do not wait until arriving in Germany!
 
Soccer – Shin Guards are mandatory for all participants.  Long socks to cover shin guards are recommended.  Plastic soccer cleats are optional but encouraged.  Goalies should bring their own gloves. 

Floor hockey - – Shin guards and eye protection are mandatory for all participants. We recommend athletes bring their own but there will be some provided.  Hockey Sticks will be provided but you're welcome to bring your own. Basic goalie gear will be provided but we encourage athletes to bring their own equipment. 

Basketball – nothing required

Swimming - Bring your own swimsuit, cap, and goggles. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials. For males, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the knees. For females, the swimsuit shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below the knee. 

Track and Field- Equipment will be provided.  Athletes may bring their own throwing implements but it must be checked in and approved by officials before the competition.

Badminton – Rackets will be provided however you can also bring your own.

Boccia - Boccia sets will be provided.  Athletes may bring their own boccia sets to use but it must be checked in and approved by officials before the competition.

Kurling – nothing required

Table Tennis - Paddles will be provided, but you can also bring your own

Archery - Bows will be provided, you can also bring your own as long as it is checked in and approved by officials before the competition.  The use of finger tabs and arm guards is recommended. Field glasses and similar optical devices may be used for spotting arrows. Other equipment such as aiming devices, stabilizers, and compensators is not allowed.

Marksmanship –  Nothing required

Volleyball – Nothing required, however you are allowed to bring your own equipment (knee pads, etc.)

Powerlifting – Nothing is required.  Athletes can bring their own supports however they must be approved by the judges before the competition.

Current Timeline
March 2023 - Online registration was open and closed April 30, 2023. Team USA encourages athlete to register by April 1st. Late fees are added to registrations received after April 15th. Click here to register.
​
April 1, 2023 - All athletes must have a valid passport to travel to Canada.  If you do not have a valid passport, it can take up to 6 months to process passport applications. If you do NOT have a passport, click here. 

World Dwarf Games registration is now closed, as of April 15th, 2023. 
​
Passports
​For those who already have a passport, please make sure your passport does not expire before February 2024 as other countries like Germany can prevent you from entering the country if your passport expires within 6 months of travel (August 2023).

Teams
  • Athlete Teammate Preference form - click here
  • Team Roster form - click here
  • Team Roster forms (or preferred teammates)  are due May 1st.
  • Like previous WDGs, there will be multiple USA teams in each sport.  Start organizing your teams today and share them with us.
  • IDAF rules regulate no more than 2 teams per country are allowed to compete in the semi-finals so multiple Team USA teams will play each other to determine who goes to the semi-finals. 
  • The team sport rosters and seeds for bracketed competitions will be finalized by Lucy, Team USA Chef de Mission
Uniforms
  • Uniform orders are now closed.
  • Click here to learn which uniform pieces are required for each sport.
  • These uniforms will NOT be altered so athletes will be responsible for alterations to uniforms
  • The uniforms will be shipped to athletes several months before the games so everyone has time to alter them
 Things to expect
  • Athletes will need to register by deadlines in order to compete
  • Athletes will need to pay for uniforms, registration fees, transportation,  accommodations, travel costs, etc. out of their own pockets by the deadlines.
  • Athletes will be measured onsite for classification purposes so athletes will be competing against other dwarf athletes with similar proportions and ranges of ability. Click here for more information about classification 
  • We ask that athletes start booking their transportation to the Games soon including flights, car rentals
  • A $25 holding charge is part of WDG registration to ensure athletes attend the events they sign up for (or cancel within 48 hours of event).
  • ​For more information
 
We are excited to bring Team USA to the World Dwarf Games (and dominate) and we hope you all can be there.

Expected Costs
  • Flights: around $500 USD depending on origin
  • Rent a car: $400 USD depending on origin
  • Red Car Transportation shuttle: $30 roundtrip (discount code: WDG23)
  • University of Guelph is
              1.5 hour drive from Buffalo
              3 hour drive from Detroit
             45 min drive from Toronto
Accommodations
  • University of Guelph Dorm room, $275 USD per person per week
  • University of Guelph meal plan, $254 USD per person per week
  • Athletes under 18 years of age, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the dorms.
  • 9 days dorm room + meal plan, $725 USD
  • Reserve Today -Hotel - Delta Guelph (Marriott), $106.12 USD per night
  • Reserve Today -Hotel - Holiday Inn Guelph, $87.80 USD per night
  • Registration: $190 USD
  • Uniforms: $200 USD
  • Sport Deposit: $19 USD
  • Total cost per athlete: around $2,200 USD

Registration Fee (in GER)
Age Divisions:
Future: Age 6 years and younger as of December 31, 2023.
Junior: Age 7-15 years old as of December 31, 2023.

Age categories for swimming and track & field are 7-9,10-12, and 13-15.

Age categories for other sports are 
Junior A: 7–11 years old
Junior B: 12–15 years old.
Open: Athletes of any age may compete in any Open Division event.
Masters: 35 years and above as of December 31, 2023.


 Promote your journey to the Games! 
  • Promote your journey to the Games! Use this Press Release template and 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!
  • Let's build up the momentum for Team USA at the World Dwarf Games! We need your help to spread the word: keep talking about DAAA and Team USA and help with our fundraising efforts.  
  • As you train, promote it on social media with hashtags like #DAAA #Team USA #roadtoWDG #roadtoGuelph or add your own. Share this with other dwarf athletes so we can make the best Team USA. 

Team USA is looking for Corporate Sponsors!
Calling all athletes, family and friends of Team USA!
  • DAAA is actively looking for sponsors for Team USA but we need your help!  Take  this Team USA sponsorship request form with you into your community.   
  • Bring it to your employer and all of your favorite local businesses!  The more companies you can connect with the better!  
  • Have questions?  Reach out to your Asst. Chef de Mission and Head of Fundraising Ted Hannes ([email protected]).
​
Help with Fundraising
  • Check out 2017's World Dwarf Games page for tips on Personal Fundraising
  • We are looking for help with fundraising, especially if you have fundraising or development experience, please contact Lucy if you are interested!
Fundraising event ideas
Team USA Athletes will need to pay their own way to the games including registration, travel, accommodations, and meals.

We encourage people to start fundraising now to support their trips to the Games or donate to DAAA. 
 
Here are some ideas
  • Host a golf or mini golf event fundraiser - like the one Mike and Kevin Cekanor hosted - get hole sponsors or event sponsors
  • Boccia fundraiser - rent out a boccia place, invite friends and family, each team donates $100 to participate
  • Host a raffle and ask for donations from local area businesses for prizes
  • Hold a bake sale
  • Ask your local favorite bar or restaurant to host a fundraiser night
  • Ask your company or your parents' company if they have a corporate matching program
  • Run a 5k/half-marathon 
  • Have a bowling event fundraiser
  • Create a GoFundMe page to ask for donations to support your trip
  • Write a personalized letter to your friends, family and community about the Games that includes:
    • What the World Dwarf Games are
    • Why you want to help represent your country,
    • What sports you will compete in, if you can raise enough funds,
    • The amount of money you need to raise
  • Share this letter with:
    • Family friends & neighbors
    • Stores and restaurants where you shop
    • Professional services you have used: Banks, Credit Unions, Doctors, Dentists, Barbers & Beauticians,  Lawn Service, Teachers, Plumbers, anyone you or your family has paid for service.
    • Civic groups, where you or family or friends are members: Church, Temple, Mosque, Union Hall, Lions, Elks, Moose, Rotary, Optimists, Little People groups, etc.
    • People at your school and/or place of work (past and current),
    • People who spend their leisure time where you do: Gym, Spa, Roller Rink, Pool, Bowling Alley, Golf Course, Mini Golf, Mall, Movie Theater, Park, Paint Ball Court, Sports Arena, etc

Team USA Sport Managers
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer manager for the World Games for the open sports, please contact Lucy Woika.

Sport managers are also looking for volunteers to help, if you are interested in helping with a particular sport (training, coaching, team support), also contact Lucy.
Important Information about Registration: 
Athletes can register for multiple sports in the same day EVEN if it looks like they are overlapping (ex. floor hockey and swimming).

Saturday, August 5th:
*Please select a maximum of ONE event from the morning and a maximum of ONE even from the afternoon
Sunday, August 6th:
*Please select a maximum of ONE event from the morning and a maximum of ONE event from the afternoon
Monday, August 7th:
*Athletes can sign up for both Badminton and Archery, every effort will be made to schedule archery so conflicts are avoided.
Tuesday, August 8th:
*Athletes can sign up for both Soccer and Marksmanship, every effort will be made to schedule so conflicts are avoided.
Wednesday, August 9th:
*Athletes can sign up for both Swimming and Floor Hockey, every effort will be made to schedule so conflicts are avoided.
Friday, August 11th:
*Please select a maximum of ONE event from the morning and a maximum of ONE even from the afternoon
Saturday, August 12th:
*Athletes can sign up for both the Powerlifting Clinic and Kurling, every effort will be made to schedule so conflicts are avoided.
​
Athletes’ Village Accommodations Features

The Athletes’ Village offers the primary on-campus housing and meal package based in the East Residence. It includes:

1. An Athletes’ Village access card for after-hours entry.

2. One single bed in a single or double room within a 6, 8, 10 or 12 person suite with bathrooms, and lounge for 9 nights, arriving on Friday, August 4, 2017, departing Sunday, August 13, 2023.

3. Residence bedrooms are equipped with single beds [mattress size Standard Twin - 75"x 36"], desks, closets, book shelves and desk lamps.

4. One set of bed linens, and bathroom tissues. Please note: No toiletries will be provided. You must provide your own soap, shampoo, and any personal care products you may require.

5. Coin-operated laundry machines on site, but no housekeeping services.

6. All rooms are wired into the University of Guelph high speed internet network.

7. One large building lounge (Fireplace Lounge) allows for large scale activities to take place.

8. Pre-arranged boxed meal option when an event or practice session conflicts with a scheduled meal time.

9. A kitchen is included in each suite but does not come equipped with pots and dishes.

Copyright 2014 Dwarf Athletic Association of America

Contact Us                 Webmaster