ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 The Orlando Magic Dreamers, the youth wheelchair basketball team, received two grants totaling $22,500 to support the team. <\/p>\n
It will help cover the costs of travel, wheelchair equipment, uniforms, and basketballs. <\/p>\n
The players love the support, just like their love for the game. <\/p>\n
\u201cWheelchair basketball is really fun for me,\u201d Chance Kern said, one of the players on the Orlando Magic Dreamers. \u201cI get to be myself around all of my friends and showcase my skills in the sport I love.\u201d<\/p>\n
A new teammate of Kern\u2019s, Riley Cameron, just started playing basketball.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom and my dad used to play basketball,\u201d Cameron said. \u201cIt sounded fun, and I just wanted to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chance\u2019s mom, Amanda Kern, was instrumental in helping Dreamplex secure the two grants for the wheelchair basketball team. One grant is from Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods for $7,500, and the other is $15,000 from Orange County. <\/p>\n
Kern said athletic wheelchairs can cost up to $7,000 alone. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to offset some of those costs and make it a little more affordable is huge to us,\u201d Kern said. \u201cIt helps us build a program that just shows these kids in Central Florida that there\u2019s opportunities right here in Orlando that they can play wheelchair basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n
The financial support helps kids like Cameron the chance to enjoy basketball.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just fun when you get to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Chance Kern, playing on the Orlando Magic Dreamers keeps him dreaming big.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to play in the Olympics,\u201d Kern said. \u201cThat\u2019s probably my number one goal.\u201d<\/p>\n