Sports & Rec Outcomes 2012

The Sports and Recreation program provides opportunities to be involved in lifetime sports such as hand cycling, downhill skiing and waterskiing. They also offer competitive team sports such as basketball, quad rugby, golf, archery, power soccer and softball. Courage Center Sports and Recreation programs are available at Golden Valley and Duluth.

The advantages of sports and recreational activity have been well documented in several areas and go beyond becoming more active in the community. Sport participation for people with disabilities can provide positive physical, emotional and social benefits[i]. The health and well-being of children with disabilities can be positively impacted through sports and recreation opportunities and can include: physical strength, cardiovascular health, weight control and psychological health[ii]. 

There were 444 clients in the Sports and Recreation Program. Of the 181 completed surveys, 126 were clients at Golden Valley and 55 participated in Duluth. The following data is from both Golden Valley and Duluth.

Sports and Recreation Client Demographics from Reported Data

• 70% Male, 30% Female
• 46% were between 11-20 years old and 32% were between 21-40 years old
• 83% of clients were Caucasian, 4% Asian, 2% African American and the remaining ethnicities were reported as less than 2%
• 44% reported congenital or developmental diagnoses, 13% reported spinal cord injuries and 9% reported autism as their primary diagnosis

Sports and Recreation Reported Outcomes

• 97% had fun.
• 96% would recommend Sports and Recreation to others.
• 85% felt Sports and Recreation played a part in helping them reach their goals for improving or maintaining skills.
• 86% felt better about themselves or have a better self image.
• 84% felt better emotionally and more connected to their community.
• 84% felt better physically.

Sports and Recreation Outcomes Golden Valley

• 97% had fun
• 97% felt safe when participating
• 92% had improved quality of life
• 86% felt better about themselves or have a better self image
• 84% felt better emotionally and more connected to their community
• 85% felt better physically

Sports and Recreation Outcomes Duluth 

• 98% had fun
• 96% felt safe when participating
• 87% had improved quality of life
• 82% felt better physically
• 85% felt better about themselves or have a better self image
• 83% felt better emotionally and more connected to their community

[1] Wilhite, B., & Shank, J. (2009). In praise of sport: Promoting sport participation as mechanism of health among persons with a disability. Disability and Health Journal, 2, 116-127.

2  Wilson, P. E. (2002). Exercise and sports for children who have disabilities. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 13, 907-923.

For more information on outcomes, please call 763-520-0763 or email outcomes@couragecenter.org. For more information on Sports and Recreation programs, please call 763-520-0594.