National non-profit World T.E.A.M. Sports announced today that MetLife, Inc., a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management, has joined as presenting sponsor for the inaugural Adventure Team Challenge North Carolina inclusive sporting event taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 2-4, 2015.
Hosted at the U.S. National Whitewater Center southwest of the city, teams of five athletes will undertake stages including whitewater rafting, off-road bicycling, rock climbing, orienteering and other physical and technical challenges. Similar to the successful Adventure Team Challenge in Colorado’s high Rocky Mountains. The Challenge will bring together athletes with disabilities and those who are able-bodied. Each participating team will include two persons with disabilities, one being a wheelchair user.
“MetLife is proud to help bring the Adventure Team Challenge to North Carolina,” said Eric Steigerwalt, executive VP, MetLife’s U.S. Retail division, which is headquartered in Charlotte. “At MetLife, we are committed to improving the lives of those with disabilities, through both advice and product solutions, as well as our community outreach and philanthropic efforts. The Challenge aligns with those goals, and we look forward to supporting it.”
In the Challenge, self-sufficient teams travel together, solve technical issues on the course and strategically determine best practices to efficiently and safely traverse the challenges at the Whitewater Center. The cooperation and camaraderie of the participating teams provides an unforgettable experience for both athletes and for spectators.
“World T.E.A.M. Sports is proud to partner with MetLife and bring our Adventure Team Challenge event to Charlotte, North Carolina. Expanding this unique event gives us another opportunity to pursue our mission of changing lives through sports,” said World T.E.A.M. Sports President and CEO Van Brinson. “Partnering with a stalwart sponsor such as MetLife further strengthens us as an organization. We look forward to this event for years to come.”
Located along the Catawba River in the wooded, low rolling hills of the Carolina Piedmont, the 700-acre U.S. National Whitewater Center will provide participants and spectators a more accessible location than the September 18-20 Adventure Team Challenge Colorado, held in the secluded wilderness northwest of Vail. Although the NC terrain may be less remote, it will be equally as challenging for the athletes as teams participate together in each stage.
Since the initial Adventure Team Challenge Colorado in 2007, athletes with blindness, Post-Traumatic Stress, paralysis, loss of limb and Traumatic Brain Injuries have successfully participated alongside those who are able-bodied. Significantly, all competing teams have finished the Challenge.
At least ten teams, including military veterans and civilians, are anticipated to compete in the inaugural Challenge, including a MetLife team. Additional partners and sponsors will be announced.
World T.E.A.M. Sports is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered in NC and headquartered in Holbrook, NY. Since 1993, World T.E.A.M. Sports has organized athletic events for disabled and able bodied citizens, including mountain climbing, water sports, bicycling and more. Their events change lives through sports by building self-confidence and physical fitness for the disabled participants. Participating disabled athletes provide a role model for other individuals with disabilities, encouraging them to take up physical activities. The disabled become a moving inspiration to other participants and spectators when they see that individuals with disabilities can meet challenges beyond anyone’s imagination. Disabled and able-bodied participants also learn to work as a team to overcome physical, emotional and technical challenges.
MetLife, Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the U.S., Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
