TOMS RIVER, NJ—The Field of Dreams Hawks, a team comprised of kids with special needs, will play a flag football game against Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Alumni on Monday, October 23rd. The game is set to take place from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams.
Founded by Christian and Mary Kane, the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams serves as a haven for the special needs community. The Kanes drew inspiration for the complex from their 12-year-old son Gavin, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident in 2012. Gavin will also be participating in the upcoming game.
Among those set to play in the game are Rani Abdulaziz, Parker Day, Lawrence Stevens, Keenan Reed, and Jameer Campbell, representing both the Rutgers alumni and the Field of Dreams Hawks.
The facility offers a multi-purpose field, basketball court, 9-hole miniature golf course, bocce, and shuffleboard courts. The playground area is specially designed to be accessible for wheelchairs and adaptive equipment. Additional features include a walking path with rehabilitative stations, a designated “quiet corner” for individuals with autism, and fully equipped bathrooms to assist caregivers. The complex also contains a temperature-controlled pavilion with charging stations for powered wheelchairs and a community garden.
The game aims to foster community ties and offer an inclusive sporting event for kids with special needs. With its unique facility features and inspirational founding story, the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams presents a significant step toward more inclusive recreational opportunities for the special needs community.