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Junior Division Nationals heads to New Lenox for 2019

By NWBA, 11/09/18, 5:01PM CST

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Junior Nationals Dates & Location Set

NWBA and LWSRA Announce New Lenox, IL as Host of the 2019 National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournaments

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The National Wheelchair Basketball Association Board of Directors is excited to announce that the 2019 NWBA National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NJWBT) presented by ABC Medical, will be held in New Lenox, Illinois (a southwest suburb of Chicago) March 29-31, 2019. This tournament will host the three postseason competitions for our Junior Division:

* National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NJWBT)

* National Junior Invitational Tournament (NJIT)

* National Prep Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NPWBT)

The bid to host the 2019 NJWBT was submitted by Lincolnway Special Recreation Association. Since 1976, LWSRA has provided adaptive and special recreation services for individuals with disabilities through a cooperative agreement with Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, Peotone, and Wilmington Island park districts. “LWSRA is humbled by the opportunity to host such an important event for the NWBA community,” said Keith Wallace, LWSRA Executive Director. “We are excited for our local teams to work hard this season to earn spots to compete in our backyard. Illinois was the birthplace for wheelchair basketball it is only fitting that the four local youth programs with have an opportunity to showcase their talents."

The top 16 ranked teams for Varsity level of play in the Junior Division will earn an invite to compete in the National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NJWBT), based on their performance throughout the season. Varsity teams ranked 17-32 will receive an invite to participate in the NJIT. Similarly, for the Prep Division, the top 16 ranked teams from Prep earn an invitation to participate in the NPWBT. 

Sarah Castle, NWBA President said: “We are excited for the 27th installment of Junior Division Nationals, and we are grateful to LWSRA for their willingness to put on what we know will be a high-quality tournament for Junior Division. I’d also like to thank the NWBT Committee for their tireless efforts to secure a host in our first year post-Louisville.”

This will mark the fourth time that the Prairie State has hosted the NJWBT for the NWBA; the first time dates back to 1994. “LWSRA submitted a compelling bid that will definitely showcase the talent in the Junior Division”, said Mike Bauler, Commissioner of the Junior Division. “I am excited to see the entire Junior Division to converge on the Midwest where the roots of our great sport were formed.”

NWBA members will be welcomed to the 2019 NJWBT by the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau. Chicago Southland is comprised of 63 South and Southwest suburbs of Chicago. Chicago Southland encompasses over 400 square miles of urban and open area Chicago’s most affordable region, offering 70 plus hotels you know and trust. There is easy access to and through O’Hare or Midway Airports and the several major interstates (including I-55, I-57, I-80, I-94, I-294, and I-355). 

Jim Garrett, President/CEO of the Chicago Southland CVB shared his e “We are excited to host the 2019 National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournaments in the Chicago Southland and are proud supporters of adaptive recreation.”

Click here to read all the pertinent information for the Junior Division Postseason Timeline.