Able Athletics

09/04/2026

🎉 Exciting news from Able Athletics!

We’re proud to announce James Synowiez has stepped into the role of Director of Community Programs and Partnerships. In this position, James will help grow Able Athletics programs and strengthen the community relationships that support them.

James has been part of Able Athletics since our earliest group sessions, helping us grow, build meaningful community connections, and shape our programming through his expertise as a coach and perspective as a parent.

James also serves as our Co-Director of Lacrosse and a member of our Board of Directors.

Congratulations, James, and welcome to your new role! 💙

09/03/2026

🏑 Proud moment for Able Athletics!

Our Chief Programming Officer and Director of Field Hockey, Melissa Ponzio, traveled to Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, where she accompanied Team USA’s first ever adaptive national team and attended the FIH Grow Para Hockey Workshop on behalf of Able Athletics, an official side event of the FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026.

While there, Melissa watched Team USA’s Para Hockey squad take the field against nations from around the world, a powerful reminder of how far adaptive hockey has come and how much further it can go when countries come together to grow the game. Watching that team compete on an international stage was a moving glimpse at what’s possible for our own athletes.

Held August 21 to 23, the workshop itself brought together coaches, volunteers, umpires, and hockey advocates from around the world to build a practical foundation for Para Hockey for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Melissa is bringing that knowledge and inspiration home to grow and strengthen our own Para Hockey programming here at Able Athletics. We are so grateful for her leadership and her commitment to expanding what’s possible for our athletes.

💙🏑

08/19/2026

🏈 Inclusive NFL Flag Football is back this fall!

Able Athletics’ Inclusive Flag Football program is designed for athletes of all abilities, including athletes with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.

Led by professional coaches and supported by volunteers, athletes build foundational football skills through small-group stations, adapted activities, and team play… all in a supportive environment focused on movement, communication, teamwork, confidence, and fun.

📍 Rippowam Cisqua School | Bedford, NY
📅 Sundays beginning September 27
⏰ 10:00–10:45 AM

Ready to play? Learn more and register at AbleAthletics.org.

SportsForAll WestchesterNY

07/30/2026

🏈 Inclusive Flag Football is back this fall! 🏈

Able Athletics' Inclusive Flag Football program returns this fall, designed for athletes of all abilities. Our professional coaches lead small-group station work to build fundamental flag football skills while developing:

✅ Agility & mobility
✅ Hand-eye coordination
✅ Visual tracking
✅ Teamwork & turn-taking
✅ Communication & spatial awareness
✅ Sportsmanship & patience

📍 Rippowam Cisqua School, 439 Cantitoe Street, Bedford, NY

📅 Dates: Sept 27, Oct 4, Oct 18, Oct 25, Nov 1, and Nov 8

Both Athlete and Volunteer registration is open!

Sign up today and join the team! 💙

07/22/2026

Thank you USA Lacrosse Magazine for sharing our story and mission.

How two brothers made lacrosse more inclusive and started a movement in New York.

06/15/2026

Help us measure our impact.

Able Athletics families, we see every day what inclusive sports mean for your athlete and your family. Now we want to prove it, and we need your voice to do it.

We’ve launched a research study to measure the real difference our programs make for families like yours. Your responses help us show funders, sponsors, and policymakers that adaptive sports are worth investing in, so we can keep growing and reach more families who need us.

The survey is anonymous and takes about 10 minutes. As a thank you for your time, the first 30 families to complete it receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

Take the survey via the link in our bio or at:
https://ableathletics.org/the-real-benefit-of-adaptive-sports-access-in-your-words

Made possible by the Katy Textor Farmer Grant, a 2026 Summer Service Grant Award from the Center for Service and Global Citizenship (CSGC) at Deerfield Academy.

06/13/2026

🏑🇺🇸 Able Athlete Spotlight: Walter 🇺🇸🏑

Last weekend, Able Athletics athlete Walter traveled to Philadelphia to attend the USA Field Hockey Para Hockey Development Camp, where he had the incredible opportunity to train alongside athletes and coaches from the USA Field Hockey Para Hockey World Cup National Team.

We are so proud of Walter for stepping outside of his comfort zone, embracing new challenges, and continuing to push his limits. His determination, hard work, and heart are an inspiration to everyone around him. Walter is a true example of what it means to believe in yourself, work hard, and never stop growing.

A special thank you to Laura Jones, Lindsay Jackson, Heidi Lewis, and everyone at USA Field Hockey for giving Walter this incredible opportunity. Your commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities is helping grow the game and change lives.

Walter, we are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next! 💙🏑

06/05/2026

This spring, our Able Lacrosse athletes were fortunate to learn from and play alongside some incredible role models. Every Sunday, athletes and coaches from Rye, Yorktown, and Scarsdale Boys Lacrosse dedicated their time to supporting our players, helping them grow their skills, confidence, and love for the game.

A special thank you to Co-Directors Jeremy Guski, Head Coach of Rye Boys Lacrosse, and James Synowiez, Head Coach of Scarsdale Boys Lacrosse, for their leadership and commitment to inclusion.

This week, all three programs found success in the Sectional Championships, and we couldn’t be prouder of our partners:

🏆 Congratulations to Yorktown Boys Lacrosse on capturing the Class B Sectional Championship!

🏆 Congratulations to Coach Jeremy Guski and Rye Boys Lacrosse on winning the Class C Sectional Championship!

👏 Congratulations to Coach James Synowiez and the Scarsdale Boys Lacrosse team on an outstanding season as Class A Sectional Finalists!

Thank you for showing our athletes what it means to be great teammates, leaders, and members of the lacrosse community. Your impact extends far beyond the scoreboard.

05/26/2026

One year ago today, we lost our friend Trevor, but his spirit continues to shine brightly throughout the Able Athletics community. 💙

Trevor’s joy, perseverance, and smile touched so many lives, and we continue to feel his presence in every practice, game, friendship, and moment of inclusion we share together.

Today and always, we are holding the Spano family close in our hearts. Trevor will forever be an Able Athlete and forever a part of our family. 💙

05/19/2026

USA Lacrosse featured members of our Able Athletics team in the May issue of USA Lacrosse Magazine, and we are so grateful for the recognition.

Congratulations again to Rowan Dias and Christian Dias, recipients of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award, and to James Synowiez and Jeremy Guski, recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Contribution to the Game Award.

These changemakers are selfless, dedicated, and constant in their commitment to making lacrosse more inclusive for every athlete.

Thank you to USA Lacrosse for recognizing the power of inclusive sport, and to Paul Ohanian for sharing this story.

Check your mailboxes for the May issue or visit usalacrosse.com/magazine/digital-editions to read it online.