Buddy League offers year-round sports experience for special needs youth

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg Buddy League is making a positive impact in the community by giving children with special needs an opportunity to play basketball and interact with others in a supportive environment.

The program, which is held at the YMCA twice a month, allows children with special needs to participate in basketball activities alongside volunteers who serve as “team buddies.” The volunteers work one-on-one with the athletes while parents are given the opportunity to relax and enjoy watching their children participate.

The idea for the Buddy League came after a parent support meeting when Melissa Nolan suggested creating a local program for children with special needs.

“We have a special needs daughter and as a sports family there wasn’t much for her age, so I mentioned an organization with Ashton Hotard and we got with Phillip at the YMCA,” Nolan said.

The Buddy League is a year-round program for children ages 5-11. The only requirement for participation is having a child with special needs. Nolan said the program was designed to give parents a chance to simply enjoy being spectators while their children participate in sports activities.

The group meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month from 6 to 7 p.m. at the YMCA. Participation is free of charge.

For more information about the Buddy League, Nolan can be reached at melissanolan03@gmail.com.