By John Chambless
Staff Writer

A new community recreational basketball league for children with disabilities is taking its first steps this month, and the public is being asked to lend a hand.

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District superintendent John Sanville sent an email to district parents last week outlining the new program and soliciting help.

“Our schools and our community are focused on a common aim of doing what is best for children,” Sanville wrote. “We feel strongly that every child needs space and time to grow, nurtured by great opportunities and loving support.”

The new program, which is being run by KAU Little League and Unionville Recreation Association, will provide an opportunity for children with cognitive and developmental disabilities, between the ages of 6 and 18, to play basketball. Each team will have an assigned coach and volunteers. The school district is looking for “Buddies” to assist team members at practices and games.

The season is just beginning and will last six weeks, until about March 17. Three games will be played at Kennett and three games will be played at Unionville facilities. Games will be played either on a Saturday or Sunday. Based on the enrollment numbers, teams will be matched or evenly distributed by age.

Sanville said that each game will require six volunteers, in addition to coaches. Needed are two referees (“preferably high school basketball players,” Sanville wrote), two scorers – one for the book and one for the time clock, and two game helpers. The helper will be on the court to guide and instruct players as needed.

The teams will practice once a week, either at Kennett or Unionville High School.

“Each game will be in eight-minute quarters, with a running clock and an eight-minute half time,” Sanville explained. “Referees are instructed to call fouls but manage the flow of the game to the best of their abilities. Game basketballs will be supplied by the league.”

Each participant will get a jersey, and the league fee will be $25 per player.

“This is the first year for this program and we will need volunteers, coaches and supporters and sponsors to get this program up and running,” Sanville wrote, adding that students can get service hours for volunteering.

For more information, contact Matt Patterson at Kennett Conoslidated School District at 610-613 8558, or John Daly of the Unionville Recreation Association at 302-650 9027. More information is also available at www.urasports.com.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].