2019 National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournaments

Lansing, Ill. – 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 Lincoln Special Recreation Association. Since 1976, LWSRA has provided adaptive and special recreation services for individuals with disabilities through a cooperative agreement with Frankfort, 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 LWSRA Hawks Varsity and Prep to work hard this season to earn spots to compete in our backyard.”

   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. We are excited to watch our Junior teams compete and do their best to earn a spot in postseason play.

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 were 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 accessibility 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 Visit Chicago Southland stated “We are excited to
 host the 2019 National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournaments in the Chicago Southland and are proud supporters
of adaptive recreation.”

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination management and marketing organization for Chicago’s 63 south and southwest suburbs. The Visit Chicago Southland markets the Chicago Southland region as a destination for meetings, conventions, group tour, sports events and leisure. For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com
 

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Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau

Loren Petrakis-Mueller - Communications Manager

2304 173^rd Street   Lansing, IL 60438

Phone: 708-895-8200 Fax: 708-895-8288 Toll-free: 888-895-8233

Loren@VisitChicagoSouthland.com     VisitChicagoSouthland.com

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