From the Court to the Track
YMCA Offers Inclusion with
the No Boundaries Games
Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
The Ashland Area YMCA hosted its second annual No Boundaries Games over the weekend. The No Boundaries Games serve as a competitive celebration that brings together individuals with special abilities to showcase their athletic skills, build friendships, and experience the joy of inclusion.
Inspired by a member’s vision, the event has rapidly become a fan favorite, growing in size and significance since its inception. This year’s games saw a remarkable increase in participation, with 106 individuals competing – up from 70 last year – demonstrating the event’s deepening impact on the community.
The No Boundaries Games came about because of a simple yet profound idea: to give everyone the opportunity to shine! This event came about because of the compassion that one of the YMCA’s own members had for the area’s special youth. From there, the YMCA staff worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life. What started as a small gathering has now turned into an annual tradition, and it’s clear that the community has embraced it wholeheartedly.
Alan O’Such, owner and race director of O’Such Tri-State Race Planners was thrilled to be part of making the No Boundaries Games a success. O’Such shared his personal reflections on the event, stating, “Seeing the look of pure enjoyment on their faces makes this event so rewarding.” That sentiment resonated throughout the entire event, as participants, volunteers, and staff shared in the joy of inclusion and a healthy dose of friendly competition.
The No Boundaries Games offer more than just athletic competition; they are a platform for participants to shine and experience what it feels like to be involved. For many, it provides them with the opportunity to engage in activities that they might not otherwise have access to. From basketball to track events, and even swimming, the games are a chance for everyone to participate in sports they love and develop new skills.
Ricky Fooce, a participant in the event, expressed his excitement about his favorite event, saying, “I really like the basketball events. They are my favorite and I like being able to be here with my friends.”
Similarly, Lindsey Newland shared her enjoyment of The Games: “I really like these special games. It’s outside of our normal activities … so anything outside of the normal is a good day.” Lindsey, who has a background in basketball, added, “So far, I like basketball because basketball was what I played in high school so it's what I relate to the best.”
The basketball courts were clearly a highlight of the day, with Tyler Peters adding to the excitement: “I’m having so much fun here today. I like it because I get to play basketball and work on making my threes. I used to play in high school, and I even got a buzzer beater for my team.” The energy and excitement were high as participants not only competed but cheered one another on, exemplifying true sportsmanship.
The success of the No Boundaries Games is not just about the athletes – it’s about the entire community coming together to make the event possible. Julie Vinson, the Ashland Area YMCA’s HR Director, shared her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “This is our absolute favorite event of the year and we're so excited to be able to have this here at the YMCA and I'm looking forward to being able to do it for many years to come.”
Brooke Yanik, Fitness and Wellness Supervisor at the YMCA, expressed the significance of the event in a deeply personal way: “Being able to play a part in this is just so special to me. We are witnessing these amazing individuals with special abilities shine on their own platform right now! They are all champions, and they all deserve to be seen and heard, and the No Boundaries Games gives them that opportunity.”
Max Hunter, the YMCA’s Athletic Director, noted, “Working for the Ashland Area YMCA is honestly the best life decision I've ever made! My family's a part of the Y, my coworkers are basically like my family, and we just love supporting our community in any way we can.” Hunter also shared how the YMCA continues to strive for greater inclusion, stating, “We try to involve all special needs schools around the area and anybody who wants to participate. Here at the YMCA, we try to do inclusion whenever we can. We're looking to add more events and things for our special needs kids to do in the near future.”
The growth of the event has truly shown the importance of inclusion in the community. This year’s turnout was nothing short of incredible, with over 100 participants registered up from 70 last year. The increased participation speaks to the event’s success in fostering a welcoming environment for individuals with special needs, as well as the community’s recognition of the event’s value.
“We have had such a great turnout and so many people are here. Everyone is so excited we are just so happy that everything’s going so well,” noted Vinson, reflecting on the day’s success. It’s clear that the No Boundaries Games have become more than just a competition – they have become a celebration of the strength, perseverance, and spirit of the competitive warriors that lay within all the participants.
With the success of this year’s event, the Ashland Area YMCA is looking to expand the No Boundaries Games even further in the coming years. Plans for additional events and activities are already in the works to ensure that the YMCA remains a place of inclusion and opportunity for everyone, regardless of ability.
The No Boundaries Games stand as an shining example of what can be achieved when communities come together to celebrate one another’s differences. For everyone involved, it’s clear that the event is more than just a day of sports – it’s an affirmation that no one should ever be excluded from the joy of participation.
“Events like the YMCA’s No Boundaries Games are so important because it spreads awareness of inclusion, and it arouses the participants intellect and sportsmanship. It also gives them an opportunity to do what everybody else gets to do and that's all they want … they just want to feel involved and like they are a part of something.” Noted Pastor, JD Crockel, who was present at the event to open it up in prayer.
One thing is certain: the No Boundaries Games will continue to be a cherished tradition, providing a space where everyone, regardless of ability, can shine.
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