New Hanover Special Olympics softball team ready to compete
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — There is no shortage of big swings, big plays or big smiles when New Hanover County Special Olympics athletes take the softball field. The athletes practice each week at Godwin Stadium in Wilmington, but for them, the game is about more than what happens between the bases.
New Hanover County Special Olympics Coordinator Brooke DeAmaral said the program has seen significant growth and community support over the past year.
“We have been seeing such crazy growth and support within the community in this past year. We currently have around 1,000 athletes now, and we do offer 27 sports,” DeAmaral said.
New Hanover County Special Olympics provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports and social programming. Its athletes range in age from 2 to 80. DeAmaral said coaches work to adapt activities so athletes of different abilities can participate.
“As you were seeing, they were using pool noodles to practice safe swinging. They use one hand to catch if they maybe don’t have full use. So I think quite literally anything in life can be adapted. We just have to be willing to put ourselves out there and try,” DeAmaral said.
Right now, the Seahawks are focused on softball. The team is in the middle of its season and preparing to travel to Charlotte, where it will compete against Special Olympics teams from across North Carolina.
“We’ve got some really heavy hitters out here, and we think this is our year,” DeAmaral said.
For athlete Emmie Stanley, the program is also about having the opportunity to compete and enjoy the game.
“We are not discriminated because we have a disability… we play for fun,” Stanley said.
Stanley has been playing Special Olympics softball for nine years and also serves on the Special Olympics council board. After nearly a decade on the diamond, one moment still stands out.
“I think it was like two years or three years ago I was able to make a home run. I hit the ball all the way to the fence. That felt good ’cause I’ve been working on hitting the ball that hard,” Stanley said.
But for Stanley, some of the biggest wins are not found on the scoreboard. They come from the friendships she has made with teammates, the volunteers who support the athletes and the opportunity to play a sport she loves. She also hopes people see Special Olympics athletes for exactly who they are.
“We are just like everybody else. Go Seahawks,” Stanley said.
DeAmaral said creating an environment where athletes feel supported is a rewarding part of the program.
“Seeing an environment where they are safe to come out to play and supported, and just feel like they are able to do what their peers can do, is really awesome to see,” DeAmaral said.
The team heads to Charlotte in November to compete for gold. Until then, the Seahawks will be at Godwin Stadium working on their swings. To learn more about New Hanover County Special Olympics or become a volunteer, visit SpecialOlympicsNHC.com
