Flag football just for fun

BY ANN MEAD ASH

Teresa Wiedemer, who coordinates the Challenger Football and Cheerleading program for United Disability Services (UDS), can sum up the goal of the program in one sentence.

“It’s a great way for kids with disabilities to meet other kids (with disabilities),” she said. Wiedemer, who took over the program in 2022, recalled the story of a young man who joined the flag football league last year. “In the beginning, the boy didn’t realize how active it was,” said Wiedemer. “He would play a few minutes and then sit down, but by the end of the season, he was playing the whole game.”

UDS Challenger Football and Cheerleading will hold games in the gym at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, on Saturdays from Aug. 5 through Oct. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to noon each session. No game will be held on Sept. 2, just prior to Labor Day.

Non-contact flag football is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 21. “We have volunteer coaches and buddies so each kid who needs one has a helper,” said Wiedemer. “Each kid gets to score, and each gets to kick, and we don’t keep track of the score.”

Cheerleading is open to boys and girls of any age. Coach Sophon Bowman works with the team members on cheers, and they cheer for the flag football teams and then perform during a break between games and at the end of the game. Wiedemer has connected with the World Cup Jupiter special needs cheering team, which practices at Spooky Nook, for a visit with the Challenger team.

“The (World Cup Jupiter cheerleaders) will come and do their routine,” said Wiedemer, who is also working to bring the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders to a game to do a clinic with the cheer team. “I try to have guests each week,” said Wiedemer, who is also in touch with an internationally known magician from Philadelphia about a guest appearance.

Wiedemer first got involved in the program about seven years ago, noting that she and her husband had often talked about doing this type of volunteer work. She said that 10 volunteers per game are needed for a successful program. Individuals who wish to volunteer may email teresaw@uds f oundation.org or call 717715-8775.

There is no cost for individuals with disabilities to take part in Challenger football or cheerleading. Registration is now open at www.udservices .org/Challenger. Those who register by Friday, June 9, will receive a free T-shirt. A parent or guardian must remain at Calvary with the participant throughout the program. Wiedemer said in 2022, about 45 participants joined the program. This year, she would like to have 60 participants to have plenty of players for each team. Wiedemer noted that the program is open to participants from within and outside Lancaster County.

Manheim Community Blood Drive

Tuesday, June 6th

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