Richmond Region Tourism Foundation invests $25,000 in local sports organizations
A new Richmond Region Tourism Foundation grant program designed to help local sports organizations create or expand local tournaments or events in the region recently awarded $25,000 to 15 entities.
A new Richmond Region Tourism Foundation grant program designed to help local sports organizations create or expand local tournaments or events in the region recently awarded $25,000 to 15 entities.
The funding, provided through the philanthropic arm of Richmond Region Tourism, aims to increase the number of potential visitors through new teams, participants, or spectators engaging in the events and is sponsored by The 288 Group.
Grants will support a total of 36 events and were awarded to the following organizations:
Futsal RVA
Gridiron Select Events
Richmond Hawks Lacrosse
Metropolitan Junior Baseball League
Premier Sporting Events
XII Brands
Softball Nation
Sportable
USA Softball of Central VA
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
Virginia Pickleball
Live Red Foundation
Legacy Park
Swim RVA
Swim Across America
Recipients received grants ranging from $500-$2,500 and can use the funding to market events or enhance the visitor experience.
“We’re proud to invest in these organizations as they work to plan events that attract new and returning visitors to the region,” said Dan Schmitt, Richmond Region Tourism Foundation Board Chair. “Sports tournaments and events, along with meeting and convention bookings, will be an important part of the region’s economic rebound as COVID-19 vaccines become more readily available and restrictions are eased. These grants are an opportunity to introduce more visitors to the region and encourage more event attendees to return and explore the region.”
The grant program supports the Foundation’s mission to advance the impact and benefit of tourism in the region by supporting and investing in local education, diversity and inclusion and sports tourism programs.
Sports tournaments are important to the region’s economy: In 2019, sports tourism represented 60 percent of all event bookings through Richmond Region Tourism and produced $62 million in economic impact across the region.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant to enhance our events,” said Hunter Leemon, Executive Director of Sportable. “The Foundation’s partnership demonstrates their commitment to inclusion and accessibility in our region. We are honored to partner with them and can’t wait to work with their staff in showcasing our athletes and bringing awareness to adaptive sports.”
Grants will support the following events:
Futsal RVA
2021 US Youth Futsal Mid Atlantic Regional Championships
Gridiron Select Events
7v7 1-Day Shootout (April 10)
7v7 May Madness (March 1-2)
7v7 Summer Showdown (June 12-13)
Preseason National Championship (Aug. 13-15)
Richmond Hawks Lacrosse
2021 Honor Our Heroes – Lacrosse Tournament
Metropolitan Junior Baseball League
2021 MJBL Inner City Classic
Premier Sporting Events
2021 Visit Henrico Classic 9u Baseball Tournament
XII Brands
2021 XII Brands College Combine (Ultimate Frisbee)
2021 River City Invitational Adult Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
USA Softball of Central VA
2021 18U Gold National Qualifier (Fastpitch Softball)
2021 Virginia State Championship (Fastpitch Softball)
2021 East Coast Showdown (Fastpitch Softball)
2021 Mid-Atlantic Nationals (Fastpitch Softball)
2021 Fall State Championship (Fastpitch Softball)
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
2021 Cap2Cap Bike Ride
2021 Cap Trail 10-miler and 5k
2021 Complete the Capital Trail Challenge
Virginia Pickleball
2021 Virginia Pickleball Classic
2021 Virginia Pickleboo Classic (Halloween Tournament)
Live Red Foundation
2021 East Coast Triathlon Festival
Legacy Park
2021 Shot Heard ‘Round the World (Youth Baseball)
2021 Give Me Liberty (Youth Baseball)
2021 The Battle of the Potomac (Youth Baseball)
2021 Operation Overload (Youth Baseball)
2021 The Eagles Claw (Youth Baseball)
Swim RVA
2021 DownRiver Rip
Swim Across America
2021 Swim Across America – Richmond
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A changing of the guard appears to be afoot on Broad Street, and with it may come a new era of VCU basketball under a leader with history in the commonwealth.
Amid widespread reports that Pennsylvania native Mike Rhoades is set to accept an offer in excess of $3 million annually from Penn State, Utah State coach and former Hampden-Sydney captain and Virginia Tech assistant Ryan Odom has emerged as his likely replacement.
College basketball fans around the state may remember Odom well.
The former University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) coach led the Retrievers to their historic, 74-54 upset win over Virginia in the first round of the 2018 NCAA tournament. UMBC became the first No. 16 seed to ever take town a No. 1 seed.
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The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA), Sportable, Central Virginia’s premier adaptive sports club, Richmond Region Tourism, and Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority are proud to host the 2024 Adult and Junior Division Wheelchair Basketball National Tournaments. To be held over the first two weekends in April, the Championships will be held at the state-of-the-art Henrico Sports & Event Center in Henrico, Virginia.
“We are thrilled to announce that Junior & Adult Wheelchair Basketball Championships will be held in Richmond, VA in 2024,” commented Matt Pierre, NWBA Board of Directors, and National Tournaments Evaluation Team member. “The team in Richmond – Richmond Region Tourism, Sportable, and the Henrico Sports Authority – put together an impressive bid, and are committed to elevating our championship events to the next level. We are excited for this opportunity, and believe our members will love the experience that will be offered.”
“We are grateful for the support of the NWBA, Richmond Region Tourism, and Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority to bring the 2024 Wheelchair Basketball National Championships to Richmond,” commented Hunter Leemon, Sportable Executive Director. “We have the infrastructure in place to execute a world class event, and we are confident that our community will embrace the NWBA – athletes, families, staff, volunteers, and supporters – and create the best championship experience possible.”
The top 16 ranked wheelchair basketball teams for each Adult Division (I, II, III) will earn an invitation to their respective divisions’ national tournament April 12-14, 2024. The top 32 ranked teams for Varsity level and the top 16 ranked teams from Prep level will earn an invitation to participate in the NWBA Varsity and Prep Wheelchair Basketball National Championships one week prior, April 5-7, 2024. In total, 96 teams and over 1,100 wheelchair basketball players will compete for a coveted national title during the two events.
“It is an honor to be selected by the NWBA leadership team to host the NWBA National Championship Series,” said Jerrine Lee, Vice President of Sales for Richmond Region Tourism. “This a great opportunity for our region to showcase our outstanding facilities and attractions, and showcase our pride and commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive destination where everyone can play. We are honored to partner with Sportable and the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority to provide a world-class experience for the athletes, coaches and fans.”
The host venue, Henrico Sports & Event Center, is set to open in September 2023 and features more than 115,000-square feet of adaptable event space with 12 basketball courts.
“We’re very excited to welcome the NWBA and its athletes to our new indoor sports and events center,” said Dennis Bickmeier, Executive Director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority. “This tournament will be a signature event in the early history of the facility. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver this showcase event to our community and witnessing the athleticism and teamwork that will happen over the two weeks of competition.”
Founded in 1981, the Rim Riders wheelchair basketball team has been a mainstay in Richmond for more than 40 years. The team merged with Sportable in 2017 and is a Division II member of the NWBA. The Rim Riders are currently ranked 14th in the country, and will compete in the 2023 NWBA National Championships in Wichita, Kansas March 31-April 2.
About Sportable For nearly 18 years, Sportable has created opportunities and transformed lives through sport for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments. The non-profit organization provides sporting opportunities to more than 400 athletes of all ages by offering competitive and recreational adaptive sports programs year-round. By fostering a fun, inclusive, competitive, and accessible environment, Sportable transforms the lives of athletes and frees them to see beyond their disabilities, enhances their peer relationships and helps them to reach their personal finish line. To make an impact today, visit Sportable.com/donate.
About the National Wheelchair Basketball Association The National Wheelchair Basketball Association is the recognized National Organization for Wheelchair Basketball by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation and the High Performance Management Organization by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The NWBA trains and selects teams for participation in the Paralympic Games, World Championships, and other international competitions. The NWBA was founded in 1949, and today consists of seven divisions including: Adult Division (I, II and III), Women’s Division, Intercollegiate Men’s Division, Intercollegiate Women’s Division and Junior Division. For more information, visit: www.nwba.org.
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The Richmond Kickers (0-1-0) earned a hard-fought point on the road at fellow 2022 USL League One playoff team, Charlotte Independence (0-1-0), to open the 2023 USL League One season, Saturday night.
Akira Fitzgerald made history when he stepped out onto the pitch becoming the first player in league history to reach 100 regular-season appearances. The iron man between the pipes marked the occasion with his first clean sheet of the season.
In front of Fitzgerald was a Richmond backline that picked up where it left off last season when it conceded the second-fewest goals in the league. Despite Charlotte attempting 16 shots, the Kickers limited the Jacks to only four on target and Fitzgerald was there to keep the net clear.
Defense was a team effort for the Roos as midfielder Justin Sukow tied defender Michael Hornsby with four tackles won apiece which led the team.
Meanwhile, the Kickers dictated the flow of the match, earning nearly 56 percent possession.
Nil Vinyals delivered the Kickers’ best scoring opportunity of the match in the 22nd minute. Hornsby gathered the ball on the left wing before passing it off to the Spaniard who cut in toward the box. Vinyals darted through three defenders, running parallel to the goalline, before cutting a shot back towards the near post that required the Charlotte goalkeeper to make a diving save.
The Kickers return to RVA for a week of training before heading back to Greenville, S.C. to face Triumph SC for the second match of the season on March 25 at 7 p.m.
The Roos then prepare for their home opener at City Stadium on April 1 at 6 p.m. when they will host Independence for a rematch. It will be during the match against Independence that the Kickers will debut their 2023 primary jersey, The Red Night Kit.
Tickets for the match are still available but are selling fast. For a cost as low as $10 per match, Kickers fans can save the most with Season Tickets while unlocking exclusive perks and experiences. With one additional regular season match and two new opponents joining USL League One in 2023, City Stadium will be the place to be! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/seasontickets.
Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers mobile app for news, contests, and more!
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