By Steve Sears

Hackettstown’s Kerry Boyle on April 18, 2021 posted on Facebook, seeking individuals to start a mentoring or sponsorship program through sports in hers and surrounding towns for physically disabled kids.

Call it being a junior part of the team, not participating in the playing of the sport, but the individual would love to be loved by the team and love and support the team themselves.

A win-win. 

Boyle explains the premise behind her idea. “I had seen a page on Facebook called Team Impact. They run up and down the east coast, and they pair up kids with sports teams, which is what I’m trying to do, just to give some kids inclusivity.” Boyle applied to the program for her son Teddy, who will be 18 in October. “Unfortunately, I just found out about this program, and because they go to colleges and high schools there’s NCAA rules they have to follow, so their program has to terminate at age 18.” Therefore, she with her start-up program has instead opted to focus on the local area. “I’m looking to do it with just local high schools or colleges in the area that want to their sports team to be a big brother to a physically handicapped kid.” 

Boyle mentioned in her post coaches of teams, but also students who study in the area of special needs to aid in the start-up phase when ready. She has thus far approached West Morris Central High School, and the local Elks club has offered to help out with t-shirts and banners.

Boyle explains what she hopes the physically disabled will get out of the program, using Teddy as an example. “He loves sports, which is why I went in this direction. He’s got his TV on ESPN and he loves it, so even if he was sitting on the sidelines at a football game in his wheelchair to cheer on the team and if they get a touchdown they can be like, ‘Hey Teddy, we did it!’ A feeling of inclusivity.”

“There’s plenty of programs for autism and stuff like that,” Boyle adds, “but really nothing for just physically disabled kids who are in there.”

While currently looking at Hackettstown, Long Valley, Mount Olive, and the Washington Township communities, Boyle says if the idea works and does gain traction and there’s a lot of involvement, she’d hope to expand outside that area with something bigger, and maybe even further grow a program at a current school with her idea. “Maybe we can expand those to include what I want to include – make it better for everyone.”

For now, loving baby steps. “There’s plenty of handicapped kids around here and you don’t see them because they go to different schools,” says Boyle, “and they’re hard to get out into public with equipment and such. He (Teddy) is home a lot and he can definitely cheer up some kids.”

Those interested in getting involved should contact Boyle at kerryboyle6@gmail.com.