On Saturday, July 22, Manalapan Township Committee candidate Ben Samara facilitated a track and field program for special needs athletes at Princeton High School.
Samara, the head track and field coach at Princeton High School, teamed with Thomas Harrington - a former assistant coach at Princeton University and Technical Director for the NJ Special Olympics - to run the program for special needs athletes of all ages. Athletes learned "frisbee discus", sprint and hurdle technique, and had the opportunity to long jump as well.
"We've been running these adaptive clinics for several years in Princeton, where I coach," said Samara. "As a school counselor, educator, and coach, this is something I'm extremely passionate about. The special needs students in our communities don't always have access to the same opportunities as their peers. These programs offer them a chance to get out there and experience some success with the sport on a beautiful morning. You couldn’t ask for a better day!”
Samara, a longtime champion of special needs programming, hopes to work with the Manalapan Recreation Department as a member of the Township Committee to expand special needs programming.
“We’re making some great progress in Manalapan in terms of offering opportunities for this important population,” said Samara. “The Dreyer Playground special needs expansion is a great step forward, as is the planned special needs housing within the Manalapan Crossing project. I’m looking forward to the possibility of partnering with the Council on Special Needs to continue looking at ways to expand both physical spaces and programming options for our special needs youth.”
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