SAVANNAH — Angela Jameson only saw both her sons play soccer on the same field because of Unstoppables Youth Sports.
Her son, Brady, a 13-year-old, is on the autism spectrum. Jameson said he plays Minecraft and enjoys art, but sports wasn’t something she thought he’d really have a chance to be involved in until they found Unstoppables.
The organization, started in 2018, offers children with special needs an opportunity to play sports alongside their “typical peers.” It’s free, and the organization works to offer equipment and help to make sure participation is barrier-free.
Lindsay Roberts, the president of Unstoppables’ board, said she started it after her two sons — both of whom have autism — aged out of t-ball. There weren’t really any other options for them to play, she said.
Unstoppables started with Clear Fork’s youth baseball league. They made a team of students with disabilities, and the league allowed them to play against “typical” youth teams, Roberts said.
Over the years, it’s gained traction. Unstoppables expanded from only baseball to basketball and soccer, and more schools and leagues in Richland County started hosting teams. Last year in baseball alone, 94 students registered to play, and between 60-70 volunteers helped with the program.
The organization’s reach is about to expand again.
Building a team
Jameson and her family live in the Crestview district. Her son played baseball with Unstoppables last summer, but the family had to drive back and forth to Bellville for games and practices.
They wanted something closer to home, so Jameson and her husband, Jim, took up the mantle of starting a team in Ashland County.
Jim played baseball from t-ball all the way through when he turned 18, and has coached before.
“We wanted to make sure baseball was something kids in our area had more access to and could participate in,” Angela said.
They talked to the Savannah Youth League’s board. Angela said they quickly jumped on board with the idea.
Now, the Jamesons are recruiting for Ashland County’s first Unstoppables baseball team.
Getting started
Roberts said the two hardest parts of starting a new team are finding a coach and getting equipment donated. With the Jamesons stepping up to coach, it took care of half the battle.
Since the organization operates as a nonprofit, the children all play for free, and equipment comes from donations and sponsorships.
But, Roberts said, getting those donations has also been an easy feat in Ashland. She made an Amazon wish list for the team, and said people have already begun purchasing equipment.
The team is still looking for sponsors to pay for hats, shirts and to help with an end-of-year party for all the Unstoppables teams in the area.
Jim said it’s been easy to find the help the team needs. The Savannah Youth League, he said, offered to sponsor uniforms, and there’s already at least one other business in Ashland that he’s talked with about the sponsorship too.
“I have faith that as we figure out what we need, Ashland will step up,” Jim said.
Signing up
Registration for the team ends March 4. The goal for the first season is to have 13-16 students join the team.
As of Feb. 22, Angela said eight students have signed up to play.
Players range in age from third graders to eighth graders currently. Roberts said with Unstoppables, anyone from age four to 21 is eligible to participate.
Unstoppables Youth Sports has put together flyers and advertised the team on its own website and social media pages. Angela said she’s been grateful for Roberts and the legwork she’s done to make the organization well known.
Angela has also talked with athletic directors at Crestview and Mapleton, and plans to share the opportunity with New London and South Central.
The team also needs the help of volunteers, according to Jim. Those volunteer duties range from helping students one-on-one with playing the game to running music at the games.
Angela said she’ll be working to make sure there are enough volunteers. It’s already on the list of volunteer opportunities for the National Honor Society at Crestview, she said.
A meaningful experience
The benefits of participating in Unstoppables goes beyond just sports, said Roberts and the Jamesons.
It offers our kids a chance to be kids.
Jim Jameson, Unstoppables parent and coach
Roberts said it started with providing an opportunity for her children and others like them. She didn’t realize the impact it might also have on others.
As she continued with Unstoppables, she realized a large part of it was also about education. Before students play an Unstoppables team, Roberts said she gives them a talk about inclusion.
“You may not have somebody that has a disability in your family,” Roberts said. “But at some point in your life, it might be a nephew, it might be your kid, it might be a cousin — you know, at some point, you’ll meet somebody and this will be important for you that you remember this.
“… I always give the young people that spiel, and I hope it sticks with somebody.”
Angela agreed that inclusion really matters. She said she’s grateful for the experiences and opportunities her son has received thanks to programs like Unstoppables.
Angela said in her experience with Unstoppables and watching other teams interact with her son’s, children learn that they can have friendships with students with disabilities, too.
“They’re different, but they’re not,” she said.
For Jim, too, it comes down to education and inclusion.
“It offers our kids a chance to be kids,” Jim said.
For parents interested in the Savannah Youth League’s Unstoppables baseball team, you can sign up your student here: https://unstoppablesports.org/.
For more information or any questions, you can private message the Unstoppables Facebook page or message UYSports31@gmail.com.
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