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An international sport designed for athletes with disabilities is now growing right here in Massachusetts, and the game that’s new to the U.S. is unlocking opportunity for people who once thought sports were out of reach.
It’s called volt hockey, and this weekend players from across the region wrapped up a four-day training clinic with help from world class Norwegian coaches.
It’s fast, it’s physical and for these athletes, volt hockey is life-changing.
“Everyone here has some sort of physical disability, a lot have muscular dystrophy,” said Boston Whiplash player Marley Robinson. “It opens up a whole new community and friendships and enthusiasm and competition for people who have never really experienced that before.”
Originating in Denmark back in the 80s, volt hockey uses specially-designed chairs that can reach speeds of 10 mph — faster than most everyday wheelchairs — equipped with paddles. It combines elements of go-karting and hockey.
Players navigate a sturdy whiffle ball around a basketball court.
“We take all the necessary precautions and it’s more exciting when there’s more you know adrenaline involved,” Robinson said.
Carlo Basile Jr. loves feeling that rush.
“It gives us disabled folks a chance to play a high impact sport, really get our emotions going out on the court,” said Basile Jr., who plays for the Boston Whiplash — the first American volt hockey team that started about four years ago.
At this weekend’s training clinic, the Boston Whiplash were joined by the Rolling Warriors out of North Attleborough.
“The feeling of camaraderie with people that are just like you, that have the same disabilities as you,” Basile Jr. explaind.
The impact goes well beyond the court.
“My son is typically a very shy, reclusive person and when he joined the Boston Whiplash it just turned his confidence around,” Carlo Basile said of his son.
Every goal is about more than a scoreboard — it’s about proving what’s possible.
“I think about all those kids that don’t have the opportunity to play this sport yet that hopefully one day you will,” Basile Jr. said.
The teams at the training clinic this week are headed to Sweden in a couple of weeks for the volt hockey world cup.
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