Introducing the 2025 Sportable Award Winners
As Sportable continues to grow beyond two decades of empowering athletes of all abilities, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible community that fuels our mission. From athletes and volunteers to partners, donors, and supporters, each person plays a vital role in making adaptive sports and recreation accessible and life-changing. This year, we proudly carry on our tradition of honoring those who have gone above and beyond–our award winners who exemplify dedication, teamwork, and passion. Nominated by Sportable staff, these individuals and organizations have made remarkable contributions that inspire us to keep pushing forward, season after season. Together, we celebrate their achievements–and the unstoppable spirit that defines Sportable.
Dwayne Veney
Athlete of the Year
Dwayne Veney’s life has always been about speed and perseverance. A threesport athlete in high school, he rebuilt his life after a spinal cord injury by pouring himself into weightlifting, wheelchair basketball, and the family business. More than 20 years later, he leads a thriving HVAC company, develops accessible housing, and still puts in long hours on the court with the Sportable Spokes. A two-time Class 1 All-Tournament Team honoree and Sportable Board member, Dwayne embodies what it means to compete fiercely, give back generously, and push his team toward the next National Championship.
Wheelchair Lacrosse
Program of the Year
Since 2010, Sportable’s wheelchair lacrosse program has provided athletes with physical disabilities the opportunity to play and compete in lacrosse. Early practices were held on tennis and handball courts at Chesterfield’s Iron Bridge Park, and the eagerness to play competitively continued to grow until the Sportable Crush team was formed. The team began to compete in local tournaments in 2012. In the summer of 2025, the program was reinvigorated, and 16 athletes joined the roster. With weekly scrimmages, focused practice, and strong teamwork, the team returned to the Wheelchair Lacrosse USA Nationals for the first time since 2019, building on over a decade of growth and providing competitive opportunities for athletes in adaptive lacrosse.
Daronte Rollins
Young Adult Athlete of the Year
After a spinal cord injury left him unsure about what life in a wheelchair would look like, Daronte Rollins found his way to Sportable in 2018 and discovered a whole new level of competition and community. Wheelchair basketball and tennis became both challenges and sources of belonging, teaching him discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Over the years, he’s grown into a national-level competitor, a mentor, and a leader—on and off the court.
NWBA Nationals
Event of the Year
The 2025 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Championships marked a monumental achievement for Sportable, Richmond Region Tourism, Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority, and the NWBA. Over two weekends, Sportable, along with its partners, coordinated one of the largest adaptive sports events in the nation. The event welcomed 104 teams and more than 10,000 athletes, coaches, and fans from 31 states at the Henrico Sports & Events Center. With 192 games played across 12 courts, livestream coverage, and the support of hundreds of volunteers, the championships demonstrated Sportable’s capacity to deliver a world-class event and highlighted the power and importance of adaptive sports.
Alison Shapiro & Steve Fidrych
Coaching Team of the Year
After two life-altering brain stem strokes, Alison Shapiro discovered that mindfulness—rooted in focused attention, self-compassion, and sensory awareness—could transform recovery. She brought that passion to Sportable, creating a space where athletes with physical disabilities can embrace their lives with their whole hearts, adapt with confidence, and find joy in the present moment. Steve Fidrych never imagined mindfulness would become his passion—or his way of coaching at Sportable. After a spinal cord injury, Steve discovered the power of mindfulness through his mentor and now co-coach, Allison Shapiro. Since 2022, he has led Sportable athletes, helping them find calm, confidence, and community. What began as reading from a script has grown into teaching from the heart, guiding athletes toward the same “zone” every competitor knows and loves.
Romella Snedeker
Youth Athlete of the Year
At just 15, Romella Snedeker has become a stand-out in Sportable’s Spokes wheelchair basketball and archery programs. Since joining at age eight, she has grown from a shy newcomer to a confident leader, earning national tournament honors in wheelchair basketball and encouraging
every new teammate who walks through the door. Beyond the game, Romella’s resilience shines—after 28 surgeries, she made the decision to have her leg amputated at age 10, opening the door to new opportunities both on and off the court.
YMCA of Greater Richmond
Community Partner of the Year
For nearly 20 years, the YMCA of Greater Richmond has stood beside Sportable, opening doors to fitness, inclusion, and community for athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments. From providing complimentary family memberships to hosting programs, adapting facilities, and promoting awareness through campaigns and training, the YMCA has been a cornerstone partner. Their commitment has made it possible for hundreds of athletes to build confidence, stay active, and thrive both inside and outside of Sportable programs.
Marc Miller
Spirit Award
For more than 15 years, Marc Miller has been a dedicated competitor and teammate at Sportable, taking on tennis, wheelchair basketball, hand cycling, rowing, road racing, and pickleball with equal passion. He first discovered Sportable through a tennis clinic near his home, and over the years has embraced every opportunity to try new sports and connect with the community. Known for his light-hearted spirit, quick humor, and constant encouragement of others, Marc brings joy to every game, proving that the truest victories are measured in connection, not just in points.
Ashley Hart
Donor of the Year
For Ashley Hart, sports have always been more than a pastime—they’re a lifelong passion. From helping launch Sportable’s River City Slam Wheelchair Tennis Tournament to spearheading Burkwood community events that raised more than $60,000 in three years, Ashley has poured her love of competition and connection into making a lasting impact. Together with her husband, David, she has built bridges between athletes, neighbors, and supporters, ensuring that Sportable athletes have the same opportunities to compete and thrive as anyone else.
Josh Silverman
Volunteer of the Year
When cycling coach Lucille O’Neil invited Josh Silverman to a Sportable practice, he discovered more than just a new riding group—he found a community. Whether leading a session, helping with winter training, or side riding to support athletes like Ricky Jones and Scott Terry in achieving their goals, Josh is committed to meeting athletes where they are. Known for his humor, dedication, and love of Monday night rides, Josh brings energy and camaraderie to every mile.
Matt Reed
Veteran of the Year
After nearly 34 years in the U.S. Army, including a deployment to Afghanistan, Matt Reed faced vision loss that took him away from sports for more than a decade. That changed in 2024 when neighbor and fellow veteran Mike Brooks introduced him to Sportable. Since then, Matt has immersed himself in road racing, cycling, kayaking, rock climbing, and swimming—earning gold, silver, and gold medals at the National Veterans Golden Age Games and becoming a three-time USA Cycling gold medalist. For Matt, Sportable is more than training; it’s a community that removes both the physical and psychological barriers to participation, making every sport fun, welcoming, and worth coming back to week after week.
Sawyer Owens
Rookie of the Year
After losing their leg in August 2024, Sawyer Owens wondered if sports would still be part of their future. Just months later, they took their first steps with a prosthetic on the same day as their Sportable intake call. Since then, Sawyer has gone “all in” on nearly every Sportable sport— from climbing 5.11 routes to preparing for wheelchair lacrosse Nationals. Sportable has given Sawyer not just opportunities to compete, but also a renewed sense of confidence, community, and trust in their body.
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