About OMM

Mission & Goals

Optimist Miracle Movers is a program focusing on our friends with disabilities, allowing them the opportunity to play organized sports, as others do.

Optimist Miracle Movers current sports programs include Basketball (Winter), Swimming (Spring and Fall), Soccer (Spring), Dance (Spring), Stretch/Yoga (Summer), Martial Arts (Summer and Winter) and Softball (Fall). Our programs are designed so that each athlete has a volunteer “buddy” to assist them throughout their practice and game time. Parents are able to serve as the “buddy” if they feel it is how their child will enjoy and get the most out of the activity. Parents and family may also choose to sit on the sidelines to watch and cheer along their athlete as they learn new skills and sports in a supportive environment. Registrations for each sport will open one month prior to the start of each individual sport season.

How It All Works

New to OMM? Here’s what you can expect from start to finish.

Getting Registered

Each of our sports has its own registration period that opens one month before the season begins. Head to the individual sport page on our website and look for the registration button. Not sure when registration opens? Check our calendar! Once you’ve registered your athlete, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know you’re all set.

The First Practice

In the first 15 minutes of the first practice, we pair each athlete with a volunteer buddy and hand out team shirts. Once everyone’s paired up, the rest of that first practice is really just about getting to know each other. Every athlete and every buddy brings something different to the table, and we want both of them to feel relaxed and comfortable before anything else. Talking about favorite movies, TV shows, music, sports teams… that kind of stuff. No pressure, just connection.

The Rest of the Season

From there, practices are a mix of skill-building and actually playing the sport. The atmosphere is intentionally low-key. Nobody is expected to perform beyond what they’re capable of, and there’s always encouragement regardless of what happens on the field or in the pool. Every moment is worth celebrating here, big or small.

Photos & Awards

Around the second or third practice, we gather everyone for group photos and individual athlete photos. And toward the end of the season, we recognize all of our athletes with awards. Because they’ve earned it.

Celebration of Miracles

At the end of the year, we bring everyone back together for our Celebration of Miracles event. Athletes, buddies, coaches, and families all gather for food, fun, and a chance to look back on everything that was accomplished throughout the year. It’s one of our favorite nights, and we think you’ll love it too.