Bennett Blazers Blazing Wheelchair Lacrosse
Gwena Herman is truly a lacrosse visionary. She runs a sports program known as the Bennett Blazers for children living with physical disabilities. The Blazers are a part of the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Physically Challenged Sports Program, which provides year-round, competitive, and recreational activities to those in the greater Baltimore area. The Blazers offer a multitude of sports including ice skating, swimming, football, volleyball, and, of course, lacrosse!
Building Confidence Through Lacrosse
We asked Gwena about her decision to incorporate lacrosse into their repertoire of sports.
“We like our athletes to have the same opportunities as their peers that they go to school with and lacrosse is so big in Maryland. We offered it on and off for several years and last year one of our kids who loved it, asked us to offer a lacrosse program this year.
As with all sports, lacrosse teaches teamwork, sportsmanship, focus, confidence. When athletes can feel good about playing a sport, they feel better about themselves.”
To help build athletic confidence, The Bennett Blazers have been using Swax Lax balls at their practices!
Gwena says, “The kids have really enjoyed the addition of the Swax Lax balls. We have used lighter weight balls in past years and that did not bring about the same control and feel. I think the kids are gaining better control of their shots as a result of a true weighted ball.”
A True Bennett Blazer Athlete
The Bennett Blazers were founded on Gwena’s devotion to helping others. She and her husband, Gerry, have built a competitive and elite program for athletes. Some Blazers have gone on to compete in the Paralympics and play at the college level. The athletes come from all different backgrounds but share a passion at their core. Gwena describes who a true Bennett Blazer is:
We wish the Bennett Blazers success both on and off the lacrosse field, and thank them for growing the game of lacrosse!
