Who Benefits?
Team Sports at Youth Challenge
Youth Challenge offers team sports for athletes with physical disabilities who want a more competitive experience and to further develop their sports skills alongside teammates. Youth Challenge teams practice weekly during their designated season and travel as a team to compete each year against other athletes. Teen volunteers are also involved as Sports Assistants who assist with practices and help out at competitions.
Team Sports offered at YC:
Boccia: Precision ball sport, similar to bocce ball, for athletes with cerebral palsy and other disabilities severely affecting motor skills. Designed for all individuals, no matter how limited their functional mobility is. Team YC Boccia programs are held year round. Team YC Boccia, aka Team YC Narwhals, practices regularly and competes in tournaments throughout Ohio and the Midwest region.
Goalball: A sport that is played by athletes who are blind or visually impaired where the objective is to throw a ball with bells embedded into the opponent’s goal. Team YC Goalball programs are held during the Winter/Spring.
7-a-side Soccer: Soccer for ambulatory athletes with cerebral palsy. Team YC Soccer programs are held during the Fall.
Other competitive sports program opportunities are available to individuals in Archery, Cycling, Powerlifting Sled Hockey, and Track & Field.
In addition to competitive team sports, Youth Challenge also offers recreational sports competitions throughout the year, such as basketball in March, baseball in May, and football in October. These include a series of skill-building and practice sessions that culminate in a “YC Showdown” tournament.