Little Bears League Brings Football to All

Teamwork. Sportsmanship. Athleticism.

These are the lessons that children who participate in the freshly minted Somerset Little Bears Challenger League are learning with every pass, and every yard run and cheer shouted. 

The league, which is currently gearing up for its second season at the end the summer, was created so that children in second through eighth grade with special needs can find a niche of their own to play football [for the boys] and cheerlead [for the girls].

And according to Ken DiGraziano, president of the Mountain Valley Conference Pop Warner, those who participated in the program last year are very excited about the upcoming season.

The goal, said DiGraziano, isn’t really to focus on the score of the game—in fact, he added, games aren’t scored—but instead to keep the children actively engaged in learning throughout the process.

“They just enjoy being out there, catching the ball and running, and it’s just a beautiful thing to watch,” he said.

Occasionally, the Little Bears get to stretch and warm up with the semi-professional Somerset Bears football team, a time that DiGraziano describes as a “real treat for both the kids and the athletes.”

Games usually last about an hour and a half, and the same goes for practices. DiGraziano added that children are never pushed, and participation is contingent on the parent or guardian’s request. Games are played on Sundays on high school football fields throughout the region.

Last year, the league saw its inaugural year start off with six boys playing football and two cheerleaders, By the end of that season, the number of football players had doubled and the team included 12 cheerleaders.

The desire to create the league, said Pam Biondo, commissioner of the league, grew out of a lack of availability of special needs leagues readily around.

That need was proven when, last year, the league started attracting new participants from not only Hillsborough, but also from Chester, Bridgewater and Somerville, added Pam.

Since the creation of the league, Pam described the effort as a “win-win, with kids making new friends, learning new skills, and having a great time.”

Girls who participate in the cheerleading program of the Pop Warner league don’t do “builds,” or do extensive gymnastics, but do get to learn cheers and some choreography.

Coaches are volunteers and are not paid. All are background checked and certified and most have experience working directly with children who have special needs, many who have children with special needs of their own.

Currently, the league is taking registration for football players and cheerleaders who would be interested in the 2011 season of the league.

The cost is $50 per player, and includes all equipment needed, as well as jerseys, flags, and, for girls, the cheerleading uniform.

The goal, DiGraziano said, is for more teams to be created in the Mountain Valley Conference so the Little Bears can play against other teams.

Given the progress and growth that the team saw during its opening year, DiGraziano is positive that the same excitement will be carried into this season as well.

“The Little Bears really came a long way last year from beginning to end," he said. "The children do need a little more time to learn, but once they’re engaged, they’re good to go.”

For information on the Little Bears Football Pop Warner league, visit littlebearsfootball.webs.com.  For registration information, click on the ‘documents’ tab.