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Health & Fitness

Alice E. Grady Students Participate in Youth Sports Program

For most students with disabilities, participation in traditional youth sports is limited, and can even be impossible. But for the past few weeks, the Elmsford Union Free School District's Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) has given children with special needs an opportunity to participate in a unique program called Backyard Sports Cares, the non-profit division of Backyard Sports, a leading provider of community team sports programs for kids of all ages and capabilities.

The initiative in the Elmsford Schools was spearheaded by parent Melissa Marino, whose child attends the Alice E. Grady Elementary School. Special education students in the school's second through fourth grades are currently participating in the program.

"This is such a positive, enriching experience for the children," said Mrs. Marino, who is the district's SEPTA Chairperson and is coordinating the seven-week initiative.

Backyard Sports Cares, established in 2005 to replace today's "win-at-all-costs" mentality of youth sports, partners with several school districts as well as area private schools. It also works with community agencies, such as the United States Tennis Association, The Carver Center in Port Chester, the YWCA of White Plains and the Westchester Jewish Community Services, to name a few.

On Wednesday, November 6th, ten to fifteen students from Alexander Hamilton High School joined the group of excited youngsters who were eager to learn some of the skills of soccer. Typically, Backyard Sports Cares uses a dedicated group of skilled teachers/coaches who serve as instructors and role models to the children. They are assisted by young athletes and student leaders who volunteer as peer mentors to the children, ages 4 to 16.

On the front lawn of the Grady School, the children learned to kick a ball, jump in and out of hula hoops that were laid on the ground and generally have a fun time playing together. The organization also holds clinics in other sports, including baseball, football and tennis.

For more information on Backyard Sports Cares, visit www.byardsportscares.org. The next clinic will be held at the Grady School on Wednesday, November 13th.

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