YMCA of Greenwich Hosts Basketball Program for Athletes with Special Needs
For the second year in a row John Clarke, a 16 year old Junior at Greenwich High School and a group of his friends with teach and play basketball with a group of athletes with special needs.
Long a staple of YMCA fall and winter sessions, the program was in danger of being eliminated last year. Its long term coach had retired and there was no one to take his place. John, whose brother Danny has been participating in the program for several years, did not want to see that happen. He volunteered to run the program and enlisted a group of his high school friends to help out as well.
John Clarke said: “My older brother Danny has been playing for several years and really loves it. I did not want to see it end. So my friends and I decided to help out and we have a blast doing it. We pair up players with coaches so everyone is able to play and they play at their own level. It’s a lot of fun for everyone involved.”
Challenger Basketball begins November 3rd and continues through March 2013. It is held each Saturday for one hour at the YMCA. If interested in participating please contact Victoria Martin at 203-869-1630 or via email vmartin@gwymca.org.
Danny Clarke, a Challenger Basketball player, stated: “This is a great way for us to play basketball. We have a lot of fun as a group with a lot of laughing. I am really happy the program is continuing.”
The YMCA of Greenwich was founded more than 95 years ago in 1916. Today, it is the largest community-based organization in Greenwich with more than 5,000 members dedicated to healthy living, youth development and social responsibility through athletics and life-long learning programs in order to nurture the potential of all in our community. To learn more about the YMCA of Greenwich, membership and its numerous wellness programs, visit: www.greenwichymca.org.
