As a sports fanatic from a young age, I spent most of my formative years on an ice rink, soccer field, tennis court or baseball field. My involvement in sports has been an integral part of my social life and has also provided me with the opportunity to learn leadership skills and develop camaraderie with my teammates. Sports teachs us lessons that extend into our everyday lives, such as perseverance, communication and integrity. It is important to make sports accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, socioeconomic status or skill level.
Sports advocacy is defined as “the act of supporting the rights and responsible practices of athletes and the fair treatment of all participants in sports.” Sports advocacy can include raising awareness, supporting human rights, campaigning, and promoting fair play. Fortunately, there is a growing number of organizations that are focusing on sports advocacy and making sports available to everyone.
Northern Bravehearts Hockey is an organization whose mission is to create a safe and nurturing environment for special needs individuals to develop their hockey skills while fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. They promote inclusivity, boost self-confidence, and provide valuable resources to support growth and well-being. Bravehearts was founded by Max Maksimyadis, a hockey goalie who has cerebral palsy. Max is passionate about making hockey available to everyone, no matter what their disability may be. I have been an on-ice coach with Bravehearts for four years and it has been a wonderful experience. Bravehearts includes children and adults, and we provide equipment for participants. There is no charge for ice time or equipment, so it is truly accessible to everyone! Each participant is paired with a coach and given the opportunity to develop their skating and hockey skills.
I spoke with Kyle Helm, a Chappaqua resident whose 17-year-old son Jabril is a Bravehearts participant with special needs. Kyle shared, “The Bravehearts program has been an excellent experience for Jabril, as he enjoys activities that are challenging, such as ice skating. Jabril thrives with structure, so having Bravehearts has been a very uplifting experience for him. He also enjoys working with the caring volunteer coaches within the Bravehearts program.” Jabril also participates in modified basketball, bowling, and wrestling at Greeley. It is always a blast to spend time with him on the ice at the Bravehearts practice sessions!
AYSO EPIC is a program whose mission is to provide athletes with disabilities the additional support they need to fully participate in a quality soccer experience. Volunteer buddies help the athletes participate and excel in the program. The goals for all players are to have fun playing soccer, increase self-esteem, become more physically fit. Also to meet and be comfortable with new people, understand the fundamentals of the game, and learn teamwork. I began volunteering as a buddy with AYSO EPIC in the fall of 2024 and was thrilled to see many of my peers participating.
I spoke with Danielle Gootzeit, a Chappaqua resident whose 20-year-old son Spencer participates in AYSO EPIC. Danielle noted that Spencer loves the program, and that it’s very nice for kids with disabilities to have this opportunity. She said “Spencer enjoys playing soccer with the volunteers and has expanded his social circle as a result of AYSO EPIC. Danielle emphasized the importance of opportunities like AYSO EPIC, as many special needs kids would be unable to play sports without programs like this.
Josh Lurie, a local father with three daughters, founded the AYSO EPIC program in Chappaqua about 15 years ago. Josh’s middle daughter has special needs, and the traditional AYSO soccer model wasn’t an appropriate fit for her. Josh went to the school board in Chappaqua and advocated for AYSO EPIC. He noted how incredibly supportive AYSO in Chappaqua and the community have been throughout the years – many have made time for their kids to participate and volunteer, thereby allowing the program to be offered to everybody interested, regardless of their disability.
Josh emphasized how the program has changed over time. “For the players, this program spread through word of mouth and has expanded into other sports like basketball, tennis and dance. Many of the volunteers interact with the special needs players at school, which is very meaningful. The buddy system has even led to many great careers involving disabilities.” Although the program began with just high school buddies, it has since expanded to middle school and younger kids getting exposure to volunteering.
I hope I have made it evident that sports are important for everyone. I encourage anyone who has a special needs individual in their life to consider having them participate in the Northern Bravehearts Hockey Club and AYSO EPIC; both programs are remarkable. By making sports accessible to everyone, we can build confidence and create new friendships.
