Who We Are

A COMMUNITY WHERE ATHLETES WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THRIVE!

Spirit League is a year-round sports league for athletes with developmental disabilities in Orange County, California. We emphasize learning sports fundamentals and social skills for boys and girls, ages 6-32, with youth and adult programs.

At Spirit League, it is more than the score. Our goals for our athletes are to foster self-esteem, enhance social skills, and build friendships. Our goals for our families are to strengthen relationships, provide support, and develop community.

Our Programs

BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM, MAKING FRIENDS

Our athletes are typically unable to fully participate in their local neighborhood youth sports program due to one or more of the following challenges:

Autism Spectrum Disorders;
Learning Disabilities;
Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy; and/or
Other mild physical & emotional disabilities.

Our co-ed programs offer participants an opportunity to build self-esteem, create friendships, experience teamwork, and have lots of fun. Sports activities for individuals with autism and children with other developmental disabilities can have a profound impact on their overall development and well-being. Athletes are ambulatory.

Parent participation is encouraged, so plan for an enjoyable experience for the entire family. Long-lasting friendships will be formed, and everyone will have fun and grow together.

Youth Program: For athletes ages 6 – 22, our youth program includes three sports per year: basketball, baseball, and soccer. Online registration for each season generally occurs two months before games start. See the Sports tab on our website for more information on each sport. Typical seasons are ten weeks long, and athletes enjoy personalized jerseys, picture day, and a season-end celebration with trophies/medals. Field/court equipment is provided.

Games are organized according to the athlete’s age, as described below. The three age divisions typically play on Saturdays but at different times throughout the day.

Division 3: Ages 6 to 9 years with 60-minute sessions
Division 2: Ages 9 to 13 years with 90-minute sessions
Division 1: Ages 13 to 22 years with 90-minute sessions

Adult Program: For athletes ages 18-32 years, our Adult Program includes five sports per year, including bowling (Winter), baseball(Winter), basketball (Spring), volleyball (Summer), and flag football (Fall). While the fundamentals of the sport are taught, our Adult Program focuses on practicing social skills typical of a young adult playing a “pick-up” style game without names on jerseys, trophies, and picture day. Athletes have fun playing with their peers and make new friendships lasting beyond the field.