Getting the hang of handcycling!

From Ashley Thomas- Bridge II Sports Founder and CEO:

This past Saturday Bridge II Sports was filled with the energy of kids playing and smiles all around (under our masks) at our Youth Adapted Sports Day.

Since COVID-19 put a halt to our youth wheelchair basketball practices, our Programs team wanted to find a way to get our young athletes active and engaged.  They took advantage of this time and our space at Bridge II Sports to invite youth and families to come in person and broaden their horizons trying other adapted sports.  During a full morning athletes rotated in small groups through 5 stations across the 5 acres we are housed on enabling social distancing.  All tried archery, air rifle, handcycling, boccia and even shot put and javelin!  Eyes were open to new experiences and perhaps a new passion!

It was great to see so many familiar faces AND some new athletes that came out to see what Bridge II Sports is all about.  We are GROWING during this time- reinforcing what we’ve know all along– adapted sports are important, needed, and make a difference in people’s lives.

Parents shared with us that their children needed this experience and many of their eyes were opened as well to the potential of their children.  Depression and withdrawal were setting in for some. They drove from multiple counties, as far as from Greenville and over from Greeensboro.

For this group of athletes, it is more than just ‘going out to play’ or ‘riding your bike’.  Needing an adapted piece of equipment to play that costs $2500 is prohibitive for many families on top of medical expenses that accompanies disability.  This leaves no options to be active in sport.

I felt a burst of hope this past Saturday. Join us in keeping that hope alive – we need your help.  Funding has not been the same this year with COVID-19.  We need your financial support to keep this much needed program going.  It does not exist anywhere else in the state.  Please consider joining the 360 Club.

Thank you,
Ashley

Collage picture of youth athletes with disabilities playing sports including handcycling, air rifle, archery, boccia and javelin from a seated position.

Looking at the future of adapted sports in NC!