City of Burbank Launches Wheelchair Fencing Program

Burbank, CA (August 12, 2024) – On Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, the Parks and Recreation Department, in collaboration with Coach Geoff Russell, United Fencing Academy, and Swordplay LA, invite the community to take part in welcoming Wheelchair Fencing to the City of Burbank. This event is free and open to the public and will take place at the McCambridge Recreation Center at 1515 North Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91504.

The sport of Wheelchair Fencing was developed by Sir Ludwig Gutmann, founder of the Paralympic Movement. Wheelchair Fencing was featured at the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, and at every Paralympics since. Sir Ludwig Gutmann, recognized and believed in the therapeutic benefits of Wheelchair Fencing to assist the recovery of spinal cord injury patients.

"The City of Burbank is honored to partner with Coach Geoff to offer this fun and exciting opportunity to our community,” said Marisa Garcia, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director for the City of Burbank. “Wheelchair Fencing is a wonderful Burbank-based drop-in play opportunity that will promote accessible and inclusive sports for athletes living in the Greater San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and San Gabriel Valley.”

Coach Geoff is a US Fencing certified and SafeSport trained coach with 40 years of experience as a competitor, coach, and business owner. “Enabling Participation, Enriching Lives, and Elevating Communities is the mission of my Foundation. I am thrilled to partner with the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department to add Wheelchair Fencing to the burgeoning adaptive sports programming being championed by the City of Burbank!”

Through programs like this, the Parks and Recreation Department aims to contribute to the mental wellness and self-esteem of individuals with disabilities. This adaptive drop-in sports program will allow participants to feel a sense of camaraderie and fellowship among teammates and find a sense of purpose through sport.

The Parks and Recreation Department will offer Wheelchair Fencing as an ongoing drop-in sport. Wheelchair Fencing drop-in play will take place from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Sundays at McCambridge Recreation Center Gym. More information on drop-in sports can be found at www.burbankca.gov/drop-in-sports or by calling 818-238-5300.

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