Mobile hockey rink brings inclusive sports experience to Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A unique hockey experience brought athletes of all abilities together in Wilmington on Thursday, highlighting efforts to make sports more accessible and inclusive.

Access of Wilmington partnered with the Wilmington Arena Project to bring a mobile hockey rink to participants in the Access Fit program.

The event took place at the Miracle League of Wilmington field, where around a dozen participants took part in hockey activities with help from members of the UNCW men’s hockey team.

Access Fit Program Director Natalia Beaumont said the event provided an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of making recreational activities accessible to everyone.

“It definitely brings awareness for even just the players who are helping us, who needs help and who needs access to these kind of sports and events and unfortunately, our participants don’t really get that access all the time so just providing them with any opportunity to do any sports, events or any kind of exercise is key and that’s our goal and our mission.”

Beaumont said this was the first time in several years that hockey had been offered to participants in the program.

She hopes the event will lead to more opportunities for people of all abilities to participate in sports and recreational activities in the future.