Special Needs Players take to the Courts

I find it very interesting to read the recent article on how Dorothy Wagaskys is getting young adults involved in this great game of shuffleboard. I am sure Dorothy has devoted a lot of time and effort into making this program successful and her payback and rewards will be from watching these young adults enjoy the game of shuffleboard.
We in Coldwater Ontario Canada embarked on a similar program over 2 years ago when we began a league for the “Special Needs Individuals”.

 

My wife Barbara and I, along with our Zephyrhills Florida winter resident Shirley Monger began the program on a trial bases with about six individuals and it has tripled in size as of Sept 2011.
The gratification and enjoyment we receive from having these Special Needs Individuals learn this fascinating game of shuffleboard has been overwhelming. They all know that to win you must get discs into the scoring zone, but winning is not everything for them. They get a big thrill if their disc or the opposition’s disc should end up in the kitchen. The result of their game is about having fun and enjoying good fellowship and not so much about who won or lost.  “What a fine example for others to follow”. There are some excellent players among these individuals, who in my opinion would have no difficulty competing with some of the amateur players I have saw playing in tournaments (including myself).   We have been asked if there is any possibility of us entering Shuffleboard into the Special Olympics, but that is another step and we will take it one step at a time for now.
We recommend however that other shuffleboard clubs around the world consider a similar program in their town.  It can be the start of something new for shuffleboard and the rewards are never ending.