The Dwarf Athletic Association of America will be hosting the 28^th National Games during the 2014 Little People of America’s National Conference in San Diego, California.

Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) was founded in 1985 as a non-profit organization with the mission to provide athletic competition, guidance, support and information to people of short stature and to their families. DAAA organizes a competition annually in conjunction with the Little People of America’s National Conference to provide sports in a safe and controlled competition as part of their mission. Our competition has been growing yearly with over 300 athletes competing is a variety of sports during the week of the conference.

Some of the athletes who started out with DAAA and continue to compete with DAAA are currently training and competing with Team USA in the Paralympics.  DAAA was a starting ground for these elite athletes.   

There is no membership requirement to participate in the DAAA National Games.  DAAA encourages all athletes of short stature, no matter the level of ability and skill to join the competition. It is very rewarding to compete with other athletes who are of similar height, size and ability in a safe and controlled competition.

There are sports for every comfort zone and ability.  DAAA offers individual competitions and team sports.  The sports we are offering for individual competition this year are Track & Field, Swimming, Boccia, Table Tennis, Kurling and Badminton.  Our team sports will be Soccer, Basketball, Team Boccia, Volleyball and the newest addition of Touch Football.

All athletes who wish to participate are required to register for the National Games. 

For those who are not able to compete or want to be involved, DAAA usually needs about 100 volunteers to assist with the organization and execution of each year’s National Games. Without the many volunteers we have every year we would not be able to provide the level of competition that we do.  We have many long term volunteers that enjoy the time spent with the athletes as well as being involved in providing something these athletes cannot get anywhere else, a competitive sporting event.  The form can be accessed here or at daaa.org.

  DAAA is looking forward to a great National Games in San Diego and hopes you will be a part of the fun.  

IMPORTANT NOTICES – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Medical Evaluations:  

All Athletes are required to complete a current Medical Evaluation. Medical Evaluations are good for two years. A 2013 Medical Evaluation submitted for the World Dwarf Games will be valid for the 2014 National Games. If you did not complete a new Medical Evaluation in 2013 you will need to have a new Medical Evaluation completed this year. Questions regarding the status of your Medical Evaluation should be directed to daaa@flash.net.  Athletes who are only participating in Boccia do not need a Medical Evaluation.

 The form can be accessed here or at daaa.org.

Event Times:

Times indicated on the schedule are the check-in times for the event.   Busses will leave 30 minutes prior to check in times. All times are subject to change. Please verify event times at DAAA registration room when arriving on site in San Diego and during the week of the National Games.

Check In at Conference:

All Athletes must check in at the DAAA office on-site in San Diego to sign waivers, sign code of conducts and pick up participation numbers. All Athletes will be assigned a Participation Number that must be presented at check-in for all events.

Registration Deadline for Individual Events:

Registration deadline for individual events is 24 hours prior to the event.  Events can be added on-site as long as it is before the final deadlines.  There will be no on-site additions for Track and Field events on July 5, 2014.

Classification:

Open and Master athletes participating in swimming and/or track and field must complete the Classification measurement requirements.

Team Rosters:

Team Captains only are allowed to submit team rosters. Team Roster Forms are due June 15, 2014. Minimum team size for touch football, volleyball and basketball is ten players per team with a maximum team size of twelve players.  Minimum team size for soccer is twelve players per team with a maximum team size of fifteen players per team.   DAAA maintains the right to fill incomplete team rosters with independent players at DAAA’s discretion. You can access the Roster form here or at daaa.org

Registration will be open in San Diego at 12:00 noon on Friday July 4, 2014. (need to confirm time)

 

Eligibility

You are eligible for competition if you are a disproportionate dwarf (diagnosed with chondroplasia) that is less than or equal to five feet in height, or a proportionate dwarf less than or equal to 4 foot 10 inches in height. 

Divisions

• Future: Age 4 to 6 years as of December 31, 2014 (Able to Participate in Swimming, Track, Field, Kurling & Soccer)           
• Junior A: 7-11 years old as of December 31, 2014 (Track/Field/Swimming will use 7-9 years old, 10-12 years old, 13-15 years as of December 31, 2014 for the participation categories) Junior Athletes may compete in Open Individual events but athletes cannot compete in more than 1 age division per event. Junior athletes MAY NOT compete in Open Team Events.
• Junior B: 12-15 years old as of December 31, 2014 (Track/Field/Swimming will use 7-9 years old, 10-12 years old, 13-15 years as of December 31, 2014 for the participation categories) Junior Athletes may compete in Open Individual events but athletes cannot compete in more than 1 age division per event. Junior athletes MAY NOT compete in Open Team Events. 
• Open: 16 - 34 years as of December 31, 2014
• Masters: 35 years and above as of December 31, 2014 (Masters Athletes may compete in Open events but athletes cannot compete in more than 1 age division per event. Master Athletes will play with open athletes in team events.)