Adaptive Sports Empower Athletes of All Abilities
- Kathleen Ganster
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Until Hunter Seborowski’s family discovered PA West TOPSoccer, the 17-year-old didn’t participate in sports. Hunter has an autism diagnosis, so finding activities for him to participate in was difficult.
“Hunter needs to move a lot and doesn’t stay in one place for long. TOPS is able to harness all that energy and turn it into a productive game, letting the kids put their own spin on things,” his mother, Megan, said.
TOPSoccer is an inclusive soccer program that is adaptable and available to young people of all abilities and needs, according to Jim Turner, PA West TOPSoccer regional director and director/coach of the Harmar/Highlands TOPSoccer programs.
Turner began coaching when he was a young high school soccer player himself. “It was a way to share my love of the game with kids who could not be in a traditional soccer program. TOPSoccer was founded in the PA West region, and Highlands Area Soccer Club, my club, was one of the first clubs to start a program,” he said.
Thirty years later, Turner is still coaching. “I have stayed involved ever since because of the incredible kids I get to meet, and the joy we share doing something we love. To see how far this program has come both regionally and nationally is incredible, but what is most important and impactful to me are the simple things: the interactions I have had with my players, the laughs, the growth, and the sense of community built with these special athletes and their amazing families.”
The sense of community is important to Megan. “As a parent, while the participants are playing, we have the opportunity to chat. It’s a great opportunity to share current things and resources we have come across. Since our children are of varying ages, we may be able to give advice of what to expect in the future when it comes to schooling or other opportunities,” she said.
Turner said most participants are 6 to 18. “Play can be adapted for kids in wheelchairs or using walkers/other mobility aids. We have equipment to help us work with visually impaired athletes,” he explained. “Everything is adaptable and can be modified per the needs of the athlete.”
A key part of the TOPSoccer program are the “buddies,” Turner said. “Buddies really help provide one-on-one attention to the kids and are there for them for the whole session. Buddies are adults or other kids from the local club, or anyone who wants to help.”
The program is perfect for Hunter. “TOPS has given him an opportunity to be included on a team. And he has a sense of what it like being a part of a group,” Megan said. “He has also been able to meet teammates of all ages that he may not have met otherwise.”
For more information, visit: www.pawest-soccer.org/topsoccer/.
Mike Sherry and his wife, Chris, founded the Miracle League of Southwestern PA in 2007 to allow their daughter, Jordan, who has a rare genetic disorder, to play baseball.
The league provides children and adults with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to play organized baseball. The MLSWPA has four leagues that include children from age 5 through adults ages 18 and older.
The MLSWPA, a Pirates Charity Partner, built the Miracle League Field and complex in Cranberry Township in 2009. The field has an all-weather rubberized surface and is handicap accessible with no raised surfaces to interfere with crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs.
Like many nonprofit organizations, MLSWPA depends on volunteers to serve as buddy volunteers, coaches, managers, trainers, and more. Youth as young as 12 may volunteer.
“Our league is successful because of our volunteers. We have tremendous support from our high school students. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to provide the experience that we want our players and families to experience,” Sherry, president and founder, said.
Sherry said MLSWPA is important because it helps ensure all children and adults have the opportunity to participate in sports.
“It’s all about quality of life, inclusion and belonging to a community,” he said.
For more information, visit www.mlswpa.org.
The Pittsburgh Steelwheelers is an adaptive sport organization that helps empower adaptive athletes to pursue competitive and recreational sporting experiences in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and handcycling, according to Julie Gallagher, board member and team manager of the wheelchair rugby team.
“Our athletes compete in tournaments or races all over the U.S. Outside of competition, our athletes credit their team communities for empowering them to grow in all aspects of life,” she said.
The juniors basketball program is open to children in elementary through high school, and senior basketball is open to individuals in high school and beyond. Wheelchair rugby is open to individuals age 14 and older.
“Athletes are eligible to play wheelchair basketball if they have a disability that limits their ability to play standing up. They do not have to use a wheelchair for everyday mobility to play wheelchair basketball,” Gallagher explained. “Athletes are eligible to play wheelchair rugby if they have a physical impairment impacting at least three limbs. Handcycling ages and eligibility varies on level of competition, but we love helping folks of all ages enjoy cycling.”
Organizations such as Steelwheelers are important, Gallagher said, because their impact stretches far beyond the court, of course.
“The lessons and mentorship gained from participation in adaptive sport can spark independence and confidence in many more areas of life,” she said.
Visit www.steelwheelers.com or email pghsteelwheelers@gmail.com for more information.
The Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey program is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization founded in 1998 that provides individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play competitive ice hockey.
“We focus on building skill, confidence, and community — on and off the ice — while promoting inclusion and breaking down barriers in sports. From beginners to elite athletes, we create a place where everyone belongs and can compete at a high level,” said Melissa Everly, board president.
The Mighty Penguins share the ice with their sponsor, the Pittsburgh Penguins, at the UPMC Sports Complex in Cranberry. There are four divisions with five teams, including those from age 5 to players in their 70s.
Everly’s son has been playing with the Mighty Pens for eight years.
“There are so many benefits to sports which are well known, but I think they are even more important for those with disabilities. Organizations like ours are important because we create access, build confidence, and foster belonging for athletes who are often left out of traditional sports — while changing how our community understands inclusion,” she said.
Visit: www.penguinssledhockey.org/.
Three Rivers Adaptive Sports (TRAS) offers a variety of adaptive sports, including snow and water skiing, bowling, and biking, according to Mark Kulzer, a co-founder of the organization.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity for everyone to participate in sports,” he said.
A certified recreational specialist, Kulzer said they work with participants to evaluate their skills and needs and help them find adaptive equipment and instruction. Anywhere from one to more than a dozen athletes may participate in an event. Many of the sports are free or low-cost.
While the participants gain skills and confidence, Kulzer said that he gets as much out of volunteering as the athletes do.
“I have always had an interest in sports. It’s a passion of mine, and I want to share it for everyone,” he said.
For more information, visit www.traspa.org/.
Comments