Introducing the 2024 Sportable Award Winners
As we celebrate Sportable's 20th anniversary, we are reminded of the incredible community that has made two decades of impact in the wonderful world of adaptive sports possible. From athletes to volunteers, sponsors, community partners, donors, and staff, every individual has played a vital role in pushing our mission forward. This milestone year, we are especially thrilled to continue our tradition of recognizing those who have gone above and beyond in the past year. Nominated by Sportable staff, the individuals featured here have significantly contributed to our success, giving us countless reasons to celebrate, throughout all seasons.
Jennifer Taylor
Athlete of the Year
After surviving a stroke in 2020, Jennifer Taylor lost much of the use of her right side. Encouraged by her lifelong friend Sheila, a wheelchair-user, Jennifer began participating in adaptive sports with Sportable. She started with archery and, despite initial doubts, went on to excel in cycling, rock climbing, kayaking, and more. Before Sportable, Jennifer hadn’t done sports for over 40 years. Now, Sportable’s Athlete of the Year stays active, has made new friends, and is living a healthier, more fulfilling life as she continues to grow as an athlete and person.
Rock Climbing
Program of the Year
Since 2019, Sportable’s Rock Climbing program has empowered athletes with physical disabilities through a partnership with Peak Experiences and Beyond Boundaries. Peak’s staff embraced adaptive techniques to create an accessible environment, while Beyond Boundaries brought expertise in adventure-based experiences. Together, they’ve made climbing more inclusive, with specialized equipment and tailored techniques. The program offers empowering challenges for athletes of all abilities, becoming one of Sportable’s most transformative initiatives.
Olivia Lewis
Young Adult Athlete of the Year
At 21, Olivia Lewis’s life changed when a brain-stem stroke left her with locked-in syndrome, able to move only her eyes. Recovery was slow, requiring her to relearn every function. Though doctors predicted limited progress beyond the first 18 months after her stroke, adaptive sports through Sportable reignited her mobility and sense of self. Initially seeking to volunteer, Olivia discovered she could thrive as an athlete—reclaiming her love of movement through cycling and pickleball. Now pursuing a graduate degree in rehabilitation counseling, Olivia mentors other survivors, proving that life after disability is filled with new possibilities and deep connections.
Keith Roberts
Volunteer of the Year
Keith Roberts has been an integral part of Sportable for six years, combining his passion for problem-solving with his love of sports. A retired IT professional, Keith discovered Sportable through a friend and quickly became involved in programs like rock climbing, archery, and cycling. Though a self-described introvert, Keith finds fulfillment in hands-on volunteering, from belaying athletes on rock walls to supporting cycling events. Outside of Sportable, you’ll often find Keith on his motorcycle, embodying his adventurous spirit and commitment to helping others push their limits.
Karl Cover, Mark Fines, & David Richardson
Coaches of the Year
Karl Cover, one of Sportable’s 2024 Coaches of the Year, has spent 50 years running and now shares his passion through coaching Sportable’s road racing program. He works alongside fellow coaches and award winners Mark Fines and David Richardson, blending his expertise in running with Mark’s background in cycling and David’s experience as a chair athlete. Their combined years as Sportable volunteers exceed 20 years. Their collective efforts create opportunities for Sportable athletes to push their limits and enjoy the thrill of road racing.
Christina Stankavich
Youth Athlete of the Year
At 8, Christina Stankavich’s seizures led to brain surgeries that left her with limited use of her right side. At 10, she joined Sportable, where supportive teammates and coaches helped her learn play wheelchair basketball. With the help of Sportable, Christina gained confidence, lasting friendships, and improved use of her right hand. Now 16, Christina plays many adaptive sports and plans to become an orthotist. She’s also volunteering at Sheltering Arms and learning American Sign Language, determined to use her life experiences to help others.
Virginia Ventura
Rookie of the Year
Virginia Ventura joined Sportable in2024, encouraged by her friend and Sportable athlete Jamon. Initially hesitant, she found her passion for hand cycling at Dorey Park with the companionship of cycling volunteer Mary. Virginia soon embraced kayaking with Sportable, discovering a newfound sense of peace and empowerment. Although she never considered herself an athlete prior to joining Sportable, she set personal goals, achieving a ten-mile ride. Now eager to try golf and archery, she balances work and school while volunteering in her community. Since relocating to RVA, Virginia has become more independent and is embracing the opportunities that Sportable has opened up to her.
Samuel Kimani
Spirit Award
Despite a childhood spinal cord injury, Samuel Kimani stayed active throughout his life, playing high school sports and building a successful career. At 35, back surgery forced him to confront his disability. Soon he discovered adaptive sports through Sportable. Samuel now thrives in wheelchair rugby, lacrosse, pickleball, and more. His supportive spirit has earned him the Spirit Award, as he encourages teammates while staying physically and mentally strong. Sportable has been key in supporting his roles as a husband, father, and athlete.
“I need to be around people who understand what I’ve been through, but most of all, I need to stay active. Sportable has filled that void for me” - Samuel Kimani
“I need to be around people who understand what I’ve been through, but most of all, I need to stay active. Sportable has filled that void for me” - Samuel Kimani
NOVA of Virginia Aquatics
Community Partner of the Year
Sportable is proud to name NOVA of Virginia Aquatics as our Community Partner of the Year for their dedication to inclusivity. Since fall 2023, NOVA has provided high-quality facilities, expert instruction, and a welcoming environment for adaptive athletes. Their coaches, Matt Bailey and Wyatt Haas, completed Paralympic swimming certification, ensuring an inclusive program. With strong volunteer support from NOVA’s community, this partnership offers adaptive athletes opportunities to grow within NOVA’s programs. Through three 8-week programs in 2023 and 2024, Sportable and NOVA are breaking down barriers in aquatics, creating new possibilities for athletes of all abilities.
Allianz Partners
Corporate Partner of the Year
Allianz Partners, a global leader in travel insurance, has been a vital partner to Sportable, enhancing adaptive athletes' experiences. As the Official Travel Sponsor of the 2024 NWBA Junior & Adult National Championships, Allianz Partners supported over 1,200 athletes traveling to Richmond, Virginia, by sponsoring webinars, providing branded luggage tags, and staffing welcome centers at the airport. Their volunteers helped teams with equipment transportation, streamlining logistics and reducing travel stress. Allianz Partners' continued support, including past events like the River City Classic, reflects their commitment to accessible travel and adaptive sports. They will return as the Official Travel Sponsor for the 2025 NWBA Championships.
Carol L'Italien
Veteran of the Year
Carol L’Italien, a U.S. Army veteran, sustained a life-altering foot injury while stationed in Germany in 1987. Despite years of surgeries, chronic pain persisted, leading to her decision to have her foot amputated in 2013. In 2015, she discovered adaptive sports through Sportable. Following bariatric surgery, Sportable pickleball and cycling helped her lose 156 pounds and dig her way out of depression. Staying active with Sportable helped Carol regain her health, happiness, and a sense of community.
Brie Kilmartin
Donor of the Year
When Sportable’s Tailgates became home- and neighborhood-based during the 2020 pandemic, Brie Kilmartin and her friends hosted a block party in the Fan District of Richmond. A therapy manager at Sheltering Arms Institute, Brie first connected with Sportable in 2015, driving her patients to our adaptive sports programs. Her neighborhood tailgate has since become an annual event, raising nearly$10,000 and introducing many to Sportable’s mission. Brie credits the event’s success to her supportive community and believes deeply in Sportable’s powerful impact on individuals with physical disabilities and the Richmond community.
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