Inclusive kickball game at Toms River's Field of Dreams perfect for teachers, students
TOMS RIVER -- What's so special about a humble game of kickball?
Well, the game at Toms River's RWJBarnabas Field of Dreams between Toms River High School East and Wall High School on Tuesday morning featured students receiving special services, combined with kids in the general population. It was an inclusive game played under the aegis of Unified Sports, an initiative of the Special Olympics.
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“This has been, is, and will continue to be an opportunity for children and students of all abilities to compete, to genuinely participate in athletics in ways that general population students do, through sanctioned events and against their peers and other schools,” said Christian Kane, a math teacher at Toms River High School North and the driving force behind the Field of Dreams.
Kane's son Gavin, now 12, experienced a traumatic brain injury at a young age and who inspired his father to create the Field of Dreams, which debuted in 2022 after years of relentless work and fundraising. Aligning the district with Unified Sports was the next step in Kane’s vision.
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At High School East, games of flag football, soccer, basketball, and kickball have taken place throughout the school year.
High School East teacher and coach Danielle Foran has played a critical role, hosting Unified Sports practices every Friday since March.
She also personally trained High School East's squad for the kickball game Tuesday, as well as another matchup on June 6. The school’s Board Certified Behavior Analyst Colleen O’Donnell has partnered with Dr. Alex Stribing from Kean University to run a sports training program at the complex from March 23 through April.
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“This has been an all-hands-on-deck initiative,” said Superintendent Mike Citta, “from our administrative support, to Christian’s work obviously, to the many meetings among many dedicated teachers and coaches, to community partnerships and parental support. And it’s all in the interest of making sure every student, of every ability, has the same opportunity to compete.
“That’s a truly beautiful thing," he said.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 39 years. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Inclusive kickball game held at Toms River's Field of Dreams
