Junior Orange Bowl Ready for 2011 Sports Ability Games

For the past 30 years one of the most inspirational South Florida youth sporting events has been the Junior Orange Bowl Committee’s (JOBC) Sports Ability Games. A three-day series of events for physically disabled youths, the Sports Ability Games, includes one day each of sailing, swimming and track & field events. The theme for this year’s JOBC festival season is “Soaring To New Heights!” and the Sports Ability Games provides the perfect environment for these young athletes to do just that.

The event, which is celebrating its 30 year anniversary, gets under way with a sailing regatta at Shake-A-Leg Miami on Thursday, December 1 and is followed by swimming events at Miami Springs Aquatic Center on December 2. The Games conclude with track & field events at Tropical Park Stadium on Saturday, December 3. Each event location provides a venue for disabled children to compete in sporting events at their own developmental level, while meeting and interacting with other children who may share similar physical challenges.

The events are designed to accommodate children with a wide range of physical disabilities including amputation, blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, spinal lesions, dwarfism and les autres. “Our games are developmental in nature so participants can take on new challenges in a non-threatening environment with the appropriate encouragement and support,” said Richard Naue, Chairperson of the event. “It also provides our volunteer community with the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life even for just one day or event.”

The event typically draws over 300 athletes, more than 200 volunteers and hundreds of family members and friends who come out to support the athletes and witness this amazing event. For information on how to participate or volunteer at the Sports Ability Games please visit www.jrorangebowl.org/sports-ability-gamesor call the JOBC office at 305-662-1210.

“What inspires me are the tears of joy from both parent and participant at the finish line of an event or race by what they have accomplished in spite of their physical challenges,” said Naue.  “To be able to say, ‘yes I can’ to those who think ‘no you can’t.’’” For many parents, the Sports Ability Games is the first time that they are able to witness what their children can accomplish and this contributes to an exceptionally upbeat and positive environment surrounding the event.

The three days of athletic events are followed by an awards ceremony, which will be held on Saturday night at Melreese Country Club, that celebrates the athletes’ tremendous accomplishments. A dinner and dance party held after the awards ceremony, gives the athletes an opportunity to socialize and is a fun way to conclude the three-day long event.

The Sports Ability Games provides the first opportunity for many of the athletes to participate in competitive sports. The essence of the event does not revolve around winning, but instead focuses on sportsmanship and motivating the children to realize their true potential.Children who participate aren’t measured against each other, but are encouraged to push themselves beyond their own personal boundaries. It seems that the children overwhelmingly exceed expectations and according to Richard Naue, there are moments where there is not a dry eye in the house.

“I am extremely proud that the Sports Ability Games has been able to provide youths the chance to participate in these athletic events for the past 30 years,” said Naue. “The inspiration that the kids provide is sometimes overwhelming for everyone involved as they are able to accomplish so much despite their physical challenges. The ability to believe in themselves and push through the finish line when so many have doubted what they can accomplish is truly an emotional scene.”