Interested in assisting athletes with special needs?

The YMCA Challenger is for boys and girls ages 5 through 18, with physical and mental disabilities. The most fundamental goal of the Challenger program is to give everyone a chance to play regardless of limitation. Challenger is about more than playing a game. It's about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated just like other kids. To help athletes, we use a "buddy" system and pair each player with a volunteer that is at least 9 years of age through adult.

Sports include aquatics, basketball, baseball, bowling,soccer and tennis.

To become a Challenger Buddy volunteer, fill out an online application today:

http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/OD?FROM=29779

Questions? Email Molly Turner, mollyturner@kansascityymca.org

• YMCA Challenger Volunteer: Minimum age to volunteer: 9 years of age Must be available to attend all games of a given sports season KNOW YOUR PLAYER Talk with family members and read your players bio. Talk with your player-find out what he or she likes, what elicits a smile, what he or she can do if encouraged and supported, and what the cues are for you to back off PROTECT YOUR PLAYER Your role as a buddy involves being a friend, cheerleader, coach, and helper, but, above all, you must be a protector. Be alert at all times to the location of the ball, base runners, other players, etc. so you can do what is necessary to ensure the safety of your athlete. BRING A GLOVE(Baseball season) Be sure to bring a glove to all practices and games. You will sometimes need to protect your player by deflecting balls that are hit toward the two of you. Your safety is important, too! Let your coaches know if you need to borrow a glove. ENCOURAGE YOUR PLAYER'S INVOLVEMENT AND INDEPENDENCE Remember ... it is THEIR game! Do everything possible to encourage your athlete to be involved at his or her level of ability. Focus on what your player is able to do and recognize all positive efforts. MODEL AN ATTITUDE OF RESPECT AND ACCEPTANCE FOR EACH PLAYER Encourage and support the development of friendships among players. Some will know each other, but for others, everyone and everything will be new. Let the coaches know if you observe teasing or comments that may cause hurt feelings. BE OPEN Sometimes the coaches or other adults will make suggestions on how you can be more helpful to your player. Don't take this as criticism. We are all learning together. BE FLEXIBLE In some situations, buddies will be assigned in pairs. If both are present, a coach may ask one to help in another way in order to avoid overwhelming the player.