May 7, 2008, Yarmouth, Maine: North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) is hosting Special Olympics Maine’s Motor Activities Training Day (MAT) on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 from 9:30 until noon in Travis Roy Arena (497 US Route 1, Yarmouth). Special Olympic athletes with severe to profound intellectual disabilities will have the opportunity to participate in this exciting and inspiring sports event. Athletes will compete in mobility, dexterity, striking, kicking, and wheelchair events.
North Yarmouth Academy Middle School students (grades 6 – 8) run the event as part of their ongoing service commitment to the community. Students make signs, help with setup and run each activity.
A record number of teams and athletes will be competing in this year's event. There will be 15 teams and 70 athletes including: Boothbay, Community Partners, Group Mainstream, Lutheran Social Services, MCD-Norway, Oxford Hills, Residential Resources, Waban Projects, Cottage Hill, Day Street, Lifeworks, Morrills Mills, Sunny Lane, Windmill Farm, and Yarmouth.
The MAT event is a great opportunity for persons with severe to profound intellectual disabilities to display skills that most were never expected to achieve. The MAT is very adaptable, utilizing a variety of types of adaptable equipment and means for achieving the greatest level of participation. These athletes have been training hard for this event and they are ready to show their stuff.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and events will run from 10:30-11:45. Special Olympics is a year-round athletic training and competition program for persons with intellectual disabilities of all ages. In Maine, there are nearly 3,000 athletes who participate.
North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational day school serving students in grades 6 through 12. NYA is dedicated to fostering integrity, character and intellect in young adults.
For more information, please contact:
Kristi Belesca
Director of Community Development and Communications
North Yarmouth Academy
148 Main Street
Yarmouth, ME 04096
207-846-2380 ext. 9327
kbelesca@nya.org