Volt Hockey – Fast, Fierce, and Fully Inclusive
By Jennifer Russo
When we think of sports, we usually imagine professional or collegiate athletes who appear strong, with toned muscles - who run fast, throw far, jump high, and do everything they can to prove their physical ability. We are entertained by them competing with others of equal prowess, in part because we enjoy the excitement and perhaps a little because we admire them going over and above what the “average” person would ever consider themselves capable of.
Sports have the power to unite and inspire, but for far too long, people with certain disabilities have been left watching from the sidelines. Thankfully, that IS changing, as more and more adaptive sports become available and technology advances. From wheelchair basketball and tennis to sound-based sports that aid those with vision loss in playing baseball or soccer, modifications have been made to enable people with physical challenges to be able to play.
Though adaptive sports have come a long way, what if there are more severe limitations to physical movement, caused by an injury to the spine or a genetic or congenital factor that causes skeletal and muscle weakness or atrophy? What if someone has little to no ability to move their legs, arms, neck, or all three? Is a competitive team sport possible?
Yes, it is.
While many adaptive sports still require some strength and dexterity, Volt Hockey breaks these barriers. This form of indoor floor hockey uses motorized wheelchairs which are joystick operated, making it accessible for people with very limited mobility. The chairs are affixed with specially designed hockey sticks and can spin 360 degrees. Matches are played on a flat gym floor and players zip around at a fast speed, spinning and making turns to gain control of the ball. It requires a lot of strategy and is incredibly exciting to play.
Volt Hockey originated in Scandinavia back in the 1990s, when the Crowned Prince of Denmark made a donation to the Danish Disabled Sports Foundation. It quickly became popular across Europe and made its way to Canada in 2016. Massachusetts is the first, and so far, the only state that has Volt Hockey teams. In 2021, the first official team was established in Boston, called the Boston Whiplash.
Helena and Helge Liedtke, who had a daughter born with spinal muscular atrophy, quickly realized how far there was to go when it came to true inclusion and decided to take action by founding a nonprofit organization called Space2Thrive in 2015.
“Despite the progress I thought we’d made as a society, our daughter was often excluded from community life and meaningful peer interaction. I couldn’t find a space where she could simply belong - especially one where she could play alongside her sister or a friend. That painful gap drove my husband and me to start Space2Thrive, a place where kids and families with and without disabilities can connect, play, and grow together,” says Helena.
When they discovered Volt Hockey in 2022, they saw it as the perfect way to expand that mission. They created a second U.S. team, called the Rolling Warriors, named after a book by activist Judith Heumann. The team practices at the North Attleboro YMCA and takes part in scrimmages with the Boston team as well as tournaments overseas.
“Volt Hockey is so much more than a sport; it’s empowerment, independence, and belonging. It’s where ability meets opportunity,” Helena shares.
To cover expenses for the program, Space2Thrive relies on funding partners and supporters who want to help expand their impact, creating more equitable opportunities. They have their annual 5K fundraiser coming up on Saturday, June 14th at West Hill Dam in Uxbridge and hope that people will be inspired to become a part of their inclusion mission. People can choose to run, jog, walk, or wheel down the path, and there will also be a raffle and silent auction for some really great items, including gift cards to local businesses, signed sports memorabilia, and a vacation home stay.
Beyond the goals made, Volt Hockey also plays a powerful role in the push for true inclusion. It enables people to compete and be recognized, celebrating talent and drive, and inspires confidence. The Rolling Warriors are working on growing their team and reaching more youth and adults who could benefit from the transformative program. Long term, Helena hopes to have teams where everyone can play together, regardless of ability.
“Imagine a generation of children growing up alongside one another, learning to see each other’s strengths instead of their limitations. That’s the world I want to help build. That’s the power of Volt Hockey—and the mission at the heart of Space2Thrive,” she says.
To learn more about Space2Thrive and their Volt Hockey program, or to sign up for their upcoming 5K Fundraiser, visit www.space2thrive.org.
