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On Saturday, Rowdies Executive Vice President, Technical Director and Director of Player Development Perry Van Der Beck and midfielder Keith Savage were pleased to be a part of “No Limits” Sports: A Paralympic Experience at the All People’s Life Center in Tampa. The event was a day-long celebration of Paralympic sport and was hosted by Shriners Hospitals for Children - Tampa in conjunction with the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department’s Paralympic Sport -Tampa Bay Program.

“Our goal is to show how participating in physical activities not only promotes a healthy life style, but also increases independence, confidence, and self-esteem,” said Sandy Smith, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Support from community role models, such as professional sports figures, helps to encourage and mentor the participants. Also, the entire family benefits from the take away message that being active and participating is for everyone.”
 
There are more than 150 Paralympic Sport Clubs located across the U.S. who annually host this one-day Paralympic Experience event that exposes local participants to a variety of Paralympic sport opportunities available in the community. Saturday’s events included soccer, basketball, golf, field events, tennis, hand cycling and zumba.

Smith said the children will truly benefit from the experience.

“Children ages 6–21 years old with physical challenges will be introduced to sports and recreational activities,” said Smith. “Our goal is to show how participating in physical activities not only promotes a healthy lifestyle, but also increases independence, confidence, and self-esteem.”