Inside the enormous, indoor Proehlific Park in Greensboro, just over a dozen young football enthusiasts are welcomed onto a field covered in artificial turf. Some use wheelchairs and some are nonverbal. Others play catch before practice begins. They shake hands and high five each other as they join the group.
The warm, collaborative spirit in the air doesn't go unnoticed by Valerie Spaeth. Her son, A.J., has been excited all week to be here.
“It's just nice to be able to come together and be with friends and be able to participate in things that, you know, he might not get the chance to otherwise,” says Spaeth. “The Challenger League has been great. It takes a village to bring everything together, and we're very thankful for it.”
The group is led by volunteer coaches, and instructors from the Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (or AIR) section at Parks and Rec. Coordinator Sharon Williams says their goal is to get rid of barriers that prevent some folks from participating in sports.
“Being able to promote recreation within the community regardless of ability [is important]. Everyone has an ability to share and to be successful,” she says. “They may be able to do it a little bit different, but they're still doing the exact same thing as everyone else. So, everyone deserves the opportunity to recreate.”
When Williams found out about the Carolina Panthers' Challenger League Flag Football and Cheerleading for Individuals with Disabilities, she saw an obvious fit, and more.
“[It's] an opportunity for all of these football players and cheerleaders to come out here and enjoy the sport. So, [it's] being able to develop social skills, being able to learn athletic skills as well, and just coming out and enjoying the sport that they absolutely love.”
The league is made possible by a $4,000-dollar grant from the Carolina Panthers. The 8-week season will feature intra-city games and conclude with a Jamboree for all Challenger Leagues statewide at the Panthers' practice facility in Charlotte.
Williams has high hopes for the program. “It's the first year we've had this,” she says. “So, we're looking forward to it becoming a sustaining and vital part of Greensboro Parks and Rec.”