Hanover Deputy Supervisor Bernie Feldman and Town Clerk Elizabeth VanCheri worked with Janet Decker, Silver Creek Unified Coach and Youth Advisory Committee Advisor, to develop a Unified Sports Clinic at Silver Creek Central School. The clinic was sponsored by the Silver Creek Athletic Booster Club.

Earlier this month, students in third through seventh grade from Forestville and Silver Creek schools came together several times over multiple weeks to learn more about Unified sports and soccer. In the first two weeks, May 3 and May 10, the clinic focused on working together as partners, learning soccer skills, and being good teammates.

On May 17, the clinic focused on reinforcing the skills learned and playing a full game in front of family and friends. The students received a T-shirt and enjoyed a pizza party after their game.

The entire clinic was free of charge, thanks to generous donations from Bri-Mic Construction, Ehmke Well Drillers, Hanford Country Market, Dana & Donna Gibbon, Donna Leavell Long Lesinski, Jen & Wes Johnson, and Brian Boedo.

Pictured are participants of the Unified Sports Clinic held at Silver Creek Central School earlier this month.

The Town of Hanover declared March as “Choose to Include Month” in the town. Choose to Include is a Special Olympics movement, aimed at promoting inclusion of everyone no matter their abilities. Unified sports involve students with and without disabilities coming together to play together and build friendships.

With the clinic being deemed “a tremendous success,” the Booster Club is looking to plan more clinics in the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

Forestville and Silver Creek students grades 3 to 7 met multiple times this month at a clinic to learn more about Unified sports and soccer.