VALENCIA, CA – July 13, 2016 – The Valencia based non-profit, SNAP Sports is pleased to announce the return of its Flag Football program, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with College of the Canyons, the host venue of the annual summer activity. Over the last decade the, SNAP Flag Football has brought one of the country’s favorite games to the special needs community in Santa Clarita. The SNAP Flag Football Kick-Off Day is planned for July 17 on the practice fields at the College of the Canyons. In addition to the flag football program, SNAP Sports offers athletes an opportunity to participate in Cheerleading and Distance Running.

SNAP (Special Needs Athletes & Peers) Flag Football is the brainchild of SNAP Sports Vice-President Rob Muir and veteran Coach Beckie Warloe. According to Muir, “We have been very fortunate to have the support of the College of the Canyons over the years. This program would struggle to exist without their generosity.” COC donates the use of its practice fields, as well as Cougar Stadium for an annual tournament. “The annual SNAP Bowl at Cougar Stadium is the centerpiece of our season. It brings athletes with special needs from all over Southern California together for a day of friendly competition, right here in Santa Clarita,” Muir added. In addition to the SNAP Bowl, athletes will travel to San Diego to compete in the annual S4EA Bowl in La Jolla.

SNAP Flag Football is open to athletes with special needs of all ages and gender. Footballs, uniforms and instruction are provided free of charge. According to Coach Warloe, “Play is designed to have a single peer athlete compete alongside a team made up of athletes with special needs. By providing on-field instruction during play, our athletes can more readily grasp a complex game.”

The activity utilizes experienced volunteers to develop, coach, mentor and supervise all players in the program, providing instruction on football fundamentals, sportsmanship and rules. Weekly practices are held on Sunday afternoons, July 17 through late-October at the College of the Canyons. Coach Warloe adds, “This activity provides a weekly opportunity for participants to exercise vigorously, improving their overall health and well-being. Players have shown marked improvements in confidence and poise by mastering a sport like flag football. The results have been nothing short of amazing.”

In addition to the Flag Football program, SNAP Sports is proud to offer both Cheerleading and Distance Running in its summer/fall calendar. There are no age or experience requirements for these sports, and instruction, equipment and uniforms are provided free of charge.

SNAP Cheer was developed for athletes who wish to expand, or develop their cheerleading skills. Participants perfect a variety of cheers, coached by experienced former cheerleaders. SNAP Cheerleaders practice weekly in conjunction with the Flag Football program (Sundays, July through October) and perform at SNAP Sports Tournaments and functions.

SNAP Roadrunners are entering their second season of competition. An exciting program that integrates athletes with special needs into neuro-typical sporting activities, runners will train for a variety of public distance runs. Experienced marathon runners will train athletes for various competitions throughout the Fall.

For more information about these or any sport that SNAP Sports offers, please go to www.snaphockey.org for all the details on these exciting programs for athletes with special needs in our community.