DAAA Logo

The Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) is an American athletic organization that sponsors and organizes athletic events for people with dwarfism.

History

Founded in 1985,[1] the DAAA's purpose is to develop, promote, and provide little people athletes with organized and quality amateur athletics in a supportive environment. DAAA holds the idea that there is a lack of sports opportunity for little people in America and they look to fill the void and provide an environment that rewards dwarf athletes by taking their potential seriously and giving them a realistic opportunity to succeed through hard work and dedication. The DAAA also believes that "the dream of honoring America in international competition should be as real for a dwarf athlete as it is for any other in the country."[2]

Mission

According to its website,[2] the DAAA's mission is: "To encourage people with dwarfism to participate in sports regardless of their level of skills." It is also to help dwarfs realize their true potential in life.

Sports and eligibility

The DAAA organizes and promotes dwarf athletics in a variety of sports for a variety of ages. They also sponsor clinics and development events around the United States.

List of amateur sports

The DAAA has athletes that compete in the following sports:

Eligibility

Due to the medical nature of dwarfism, the DAAA has certain requirements that must be met for eligibility.[3] These requirements include (but are not limited to):

  • Disproportionate dwarves (usually with achondrodysplasia who are less than (or equal to) five feet tall) and proportionate dwarves with a height that is less than or equal to four feet ten inches are usually eligible to compete[3]
  • All participants must meet a special medical clearance and file a current medical release form (except those participating in Boccia)[3]
  • All athletes must also sign a "Waiver and Release of Liability and Publicity Release" in order to participate[3]

Events

In addition to the development of youth and adult dwarf athletes, the DAAA also organizes a number of local, regional, and national events to promote healthy competition among other little people.

National Dwarf Games

The National Dwarf Games is a yearly amateur competition organized by the DAAA (and local organizations) and only open to little people. Athletes are divided on the basis of age, gender, and functional ability classifications.[4] There are also events for ages 8–15, but these are meant to emphasize the achievement of personal best. Also, youth seven and under can participate in special (non-competitive) programs where everybody wins.[4] In 2007, the National Dwarf Games were held in Seattle, Washington,[5] in conjunction with the 2007 Little People of America conference.

World Dwarf Games

The World Dwarf Games are an international competition (similar to the Paralympics) that allows little people to compete at an international level. The games are held every four years at locations around the world. Athletes that have shown outstanding athleticism during the National Dwarf Games are chosen to participate in the World Dwarf Games.[6]

The World Dwarf Games were first held in Chicago in 1993 and were hosted by the DCCC.[7] During this inaugural games, the International Dwarf Athletic Federation (IDAF) was conceived.[8] Since then, the World Dwarf Games have been held every four years at cities around the world.

Edition Year City Host Countries Athletes
1 1993 Chicago  United States 10 165
2 1997 Peterborough  England 6 83
3 2001 Toronto  Canada 8 250
4 2005 Paris  France 14 136
5 2009 Belfast[9]  Northern Ireland 12 250
6 2013 East Lansing  United States 16 395
7 2017 Guelph  Canada
8 2023 Cologne[10]  Germany
9 2027  Australia[11]

Affiliations

The DAAA maintains affiliations and relationships with the following organizations:[12]

In the media

The DAAA has been featured in a number of episodes on the American television series Little People, Big World on TLC. The show, centered around the dwarf members of the Roloff family, has included a number of episodes where members of the family have participated in events sponsored by the DAAA. Zach Roloff competes in soccer regularly, and in 2006, Amy competed in Bocce.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "History of the DAAA". DAAA Website. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  2. 1 2 "Mission of the DAAA". DAAA Website. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Eligibility for Participation". DAAA website. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  4. 1 2 "National Dwarf Games". Mobility International USA. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  5. ↑ Clarridge, Christine (1 July 2007). "National Dwarf Games Seattle in 2007". Seattle Times. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
  6. ↑ "World Dwarf Games Selection Process". The National Center on Physical Activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the University of Illinois at Chicago's Dept. of Disability and Human Development. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  7. ↑ "World Dwarf Games History". The National Center on Physical Activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the University of Illinois at Chicago's Dept. of Disability and Human Development. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  8. ↑ "World Dwarf Games and the International Dwarf Athletic Foundation". The National Center on Physical Activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the University of Illinois at Chicago's Dept. of Disability and Human Development. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  9. ↑ "2009 World Dwarf Games". Dwarf Athletic Association of the UK. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
  10. ↑ "Update: World Dwarf Games". International Dwarf Sports Federation. 2021-01-30. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  11. ↑ "Update: World Dwarf Games". International Dwarf Sports Federation. 2021-01-30. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  12. ↑ "DAAA Affiliations and Relationships". Mobility International USA. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
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