The Team: 

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Tom Petranoff:

2 x world record holder, inventor of Turbojav and creator of the Petranoff Training System. Tom is the brains and soul of TZA. After a career as an elite javelin thrower, his drive and vision led him to create the world-renowned Turbojav and a coaching system that is used worldwide which has produced the best results in youth-junior level in the world.

 

Mark Swiger: 

A decorated career educator, a successful former collegiate track and field and cross country coach, and a child literacy, food security, and community sustainability specialist. He has B.A. in History and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction/International Studies. Mark specializes in strategic planning, program design, environmental sustainability, business development, and curriculum design. 

 

Michael Musselmann: 

MBA Marketing/Ecommerce, joined the team in 2016 as Marketing & Export Manager. Creator of Indian Javelin Social Media initiative, with over 109,000 followers. His job is to expand the reach of sales and international relationships with athletes, organizations and distributors.

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Movement for All, Performance for Life

 

2026 Goals

In 2026, TZA is expanding its impact from throwing sports to total movement, recovery, and performance. Building on decades of innovation, we’re advancing bilateral and multidirectional training that improves coordination, strength, and injury resilience for people of all ages and all abilities—from beginners to elite athletes.

We’re deepening our collaboration with Special Olympics North America (SONA), expanding rehabilitation and hospital-based programs, and integrating Paralympic training models to ensure that every athlete, at every level, can reach their highest potential. Through Unified Sports in K–12 education and elite coaching systems rooted in inclusivity, TZA continues to bridge the worlds of therapy, training, and sport.

At every level, our mission is simple: meet people where they are—whether in recovery, development, or high performance—and help them move better, live stronger, and connect through movement.

 

Executive Summary: Circularity as a Catalyst for Regenerative Sport 

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Overview 

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Throwing Zone Athletics (TZA) stands at the crossroads of performance, inclusion, and sustainability. In partnership with Pangaea Strategies, TZA is advancing a regenerative model that merges athletic innovation with circular design principles—creating systems that enhance human performance while restoring environmental balance. This initiative draws on the insights of 'The Business Logic for Sustainability' and builds on active collaborations with Special Olympics North America (SONA), Inclusion on Ice, Unique Abilities on Ice, Project Green Schools (PGS), and the Green Sports Alliance Foundation (GSAF). 

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The Opportunity 

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As Interface’s Ray Anderson once proved, sustainability and profitability are not opposites—they are mutually reinforcing. By applying circular design principles, TZA can reduce waste, recover materials, and strengthen financial resilience. In doing so, TZA moves from being an adaptive equipment innovator to becoming a global model for sustainable athletic systems. 

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The Three Dimensions of Sustainability 

TZA’s approach rests on three integrated legs: 1) Environmental sustainability—recovering and reusing materials in Turbojavs, CoreWhip, and WhipCore sleeves; 2) Programmatic sustainability—building replicable, inclusive coaching systems for schools, rehab centers, and Unified Sports programs; and 3) Financial sustainability—proving that circularity and care drive both impact and profitability. If one leg of the stool is missing, the others collapse under their own weight. 

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Strategic Partnerships 

Through Project Green Schools, students learn how sustainability and sport intersect. GSAF connects TZA’s work to a global network of circular innovators. With SONA, TZA expands Unified Sports into sustainability education, while Inclusion on Ice and Unique Abilities on Ice extend these models into winter sports. Together, these partnerships create a regenerative coalition advancing education, inclusion, and climate awareness. 

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Next Steps 

1) Launch circular manufacturing pilots with Craig to recover and reuse plastics.

2) Partner with MIT’s Greg Norris to complete a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) quantifying TZA’s environmental and financial 

impact.

3) Develop curriculum modules for youth and adaptive programs integrating inclusion, movement, and sustainability.

4) Share findings at the 2026 Green Sports Alliance Summit to position TZA as a pioneer in regenerative sport design. 

 

 

Closing Thought 

TZA’s mission has always been about helping people throw farther—now it’s about helping the planet go further. By uniting environmental stewardship, inclusion, and education, TZA is redefining performance for the next generation of athletes and communities worldwide. 

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Mission Statement:
At TZA, we are dedicated to empowering communities through the transformative power of sports. By providing innovative tools like the Turbojav and comprehensive training programs, we inspire athletes of all abilities, foster healthy lifestyles, and create connections that transcend boundaries.

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Vision Statement:
We envision a world where every child, school, and community has access to sustainable sports programming and the resources to thrive. Through our initiatives, we aim to nurture a global network of empowered athletes, knowledgeable coaches, and supportive communities united by their passion for sport, health, and teamwork.

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Our Values:

• Inclusion: We believe in making sports accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or background.

• Innovation: We continuously develop cutting-edge tools and training methods to enhance athletic potential.

• Sustainability: We prioritize long-term impact, equipping communities with the knowledge and resources to maintain sports programs.

• Collaboration: We partner with world-class athletes, organizations, and communities to maximize our collective impact.

• Health and Wellness: We strive to combat childhood obesity and promote physical and mental well-being through active lifestyles.