Dwarf Athletic Association of America
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  • Home
  • History of DAAA
  • DAAA Events
    • DAAA National Games >
      • 2023 Austin DAAA National Games
      • 2022 Spokane DAAA National Games
      • 2021 Balitmore DAAA National Games
      • 2020 Austin DAAA National Games
      • 2019 San Francisco DAAA National Games
      • 2018 Orlando DAAA National Games
      • 2017 Denver - Boccia
      • 2016 National Games, Boston
      • 2015 National Games, St. Louis
      • 2014 San Diego DAAA National Games
    • World Dwarf Games >
      • 2023 World Dwarf Games - Team USA
      • 2017 World Dwarf Games - Team USA >
        • Archery, World Games
        • Badminton, World Games
        • Boccia, World Games
        • Field/Throwing, World Games
        • Indoor Hockey, World Dwarf Games
        • Kurling, World Dwarf Games
        • Powerlifting, World Games
        • Soccer, World Games
        • Swimming
        • Table Tennis, World Games
        • Volleyball, World Games
        • World Game Volunteer Roles
    • Regional Events
  • FAQ
  • Sport Rules
  • Disabled Sports organizations
  • U. S. Paralympics
    • Badminton, Paralympics
    • Field Events, Paralympics
    • Powerlifting, Paralympics
    • Swimming, World Games
  • Videos
  • Donate
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Links

Yes, you can participate!

DAAA encourages all people with dwarfism to participate in sports. Any and every level of skill and ability is welcomed and supported.

Everyone of every stature and ability is welcomed to assist DAAA as a volunteer during amateur athletic competitions – both at the sporting venues and in the on-site offices.

Athletes

Competitors of every body type, ability and age are encouraged to register and participate in DAAA sporting events. Registration to participate as an athlete is open to everyone of every ability who has a form of dwarfism. There is no DAAA membership requirement.

Athletes competing in individual events will place and medal according to their age, gender, body type and functional ability. For example, a track race could have competitors of different divisions and classes running in the same race but not necessarily competing against each other. The scores and medals will be awarded according to athlete class and division, not racing group.

For team events, athletes of various classifications compete on the same team according to age group. Teams may be composed of females and males having a range of body types and skill sets.
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Divisions

DAAA events accommodate four age divisions: Future, Junior, Open and Master. DAAA requires that during DAAA Games, each athlete must compete in only one division for all events entered.

6 yr. and under
:
Future division sporting events are non-competitive. Every athlete receives encouragement for competing, playing fairly, and doing their best. Sports are limited to selected track, field, swimming, and soccer events (all sports will be non-medal, instructional events at which athletes receive participation ribbons).

7-15 yr:
Junior division events emphasize achieving personal best above winning. Individual performances are judged separately according to gender, age, and official classification. Due to the wide age range within the junior division and the resulting competitive concerns, athletes in the junior division compete in the following age classifications for these sports.

16-39 yr:
Open division athletes. Individual performances are judged according to the official rules and regulations for each sport. Some Junior aged athletes may compete in track & field and swimming in the Open division (as identified below).

40 yr. and above:
Master division athletes.

Athletes should use their age as of December 31 in the year of competition to determine which age classification they will participate in. For team sports, all team members are required to meet the age classification for the team as identified above. 

Parents

Parents are most important to the athleticism, physical health and emotional well-being of our children with dwarfism. Please continue to encourage your children to participate in sports, to do their best, to have fun trying to improve their current "personal best" achievements, and to keep trying. With your support and guidance you will certainly see your youngsters and teens become healthier, happier and more confident young adults.

Parents not only provide important support for individual athletes, but also invaluable support for all our competitors whenever taking part in DAAA events as spectators and volunteers.

Family & Friends, Volunteers and Spectators

DAAA encourages participation of athletes, family, friends and supporters as volunteers and spectators at athletic events. We appreciate any commitment that attendees can make to volunteer time while attending the National Games.  In support of our athletes, DAAA usually needs about 100 volunteers at the National Games to assist with the organization and operation of the events. Volunteers can help with any number of activities:

At registration
  •  Athlete check-in
  •  On Site registrations
At the sporting venues
  •   Sport venue Set-Up
  •   Event logisitics
  •   Coaches and officials
  •   Officials award medals
  •   Photographs of athletes and events
  •   Sport Venue break-down
In the back-office
  • uploading photo images
  • printing-out and posting portraits each day
  • updating team competition schedules

Coaches, Trainers and Referees

 DAAA appreciates and needs the participation of sports professionals and amateurs with experience guiding athletes and officiating events. To offer your help, please contact Mike Krajewski, DAAA Sports Technical Director.

Sports Businesses

Sporting goods businesses can help DAAA continue to provide quality athletic events for dwarf athletes by becoming a sponsor or contributor. If you would like to learn more about participation by contributing sporting goods or by sponsoring DAAA Games. For more information, contact Lucky Woika.

All Golfers

At every National Games, DAAA holds a golf tournament that is open to everyone who is interested in participating. Golfers of short and average stature of every golfing level, from beginner to expert, are welcome to play. All proceeds generated from the golf tournament support DAAA.
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Copyright 2014 Dwarf Athletic Association of America

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