Champions League Sports for Children with Disabilities

Soccer in the Spring, Baseball in the Summer, Flag Football in the Fall

This is 2011 and we have high hopes for the upcoming seasons. It looks like we will be adding a few more players, a couple from Huntington County and a few from the surrounding counties. Fortunately, some of the initial concerns parents had with the safety of our program have been overcome. I believe some of the skeptical parents are now sold and wish to include their children in our Champions League. As this happens, our numbers increase. We have between 35 to 45 kids playing Soccer. Our first game was April 17th! This has been a fantastic start for our Champions League.

This will be our 8th year playing baseball. Our players are “old veterans” to this league. When we first started, they ran the wrong direction…..had trouble “making contact” with the ball……and tired quickly of the time between pitches. Now they help set out the bases, align the outfield bleachers, play catch before the games, and hit the ball so hard I had to change to an indoor baseball! AWESOME!!! We have made a few changes since the beginning, but one thing has remained the same, WE HAVE A BLAST!! The incredible backing of this community has surprised both our parents and players. There are over 50 “Angel” volunteers. They assist each of our players, as they need it.

Champions League Flag Football will play its 5th year in 2011. What seemed like a “crazy idea” has blossomed into the favorite of all our Champions League parents. Our games are “chaotic” “exhilarating” “thrilling” “exciting”……and whole lot of fun. This program has become the fan favorite of our Y fans and our parents. As far as we can tell, this is the only Flag Football program for kids with disabilities of its kind. There may be others, but they have not simplified the rules as we have which encourages more scoring and less competitive stress. I am hoping to share the idea of this program with other YMCAs. If they can experience anything near the success and satisfaction as we have, it will be worth their time and effort.

Games this year will again be held on Sundays at the YMCA. All games begin at 1 pm. The Soccer Season begins play on April 18th. Baseball starts play June 26th and Flag Football will commence play on September 11th.

CALL THE Y (359-9622) AND SPEAK WITH TIM ALLEN IF YOU KNOW A CHILD THAT MAY BENEFIT FROM PLAYING IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, IF YOU WISH TO SPONSOR OUR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPORTS OR JUST WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT.