In 2005, a determined and spirited floor hockey squad from Westchester, New York earned their biggest opportunity yet, to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Representing the United States.
A team from the special needs program, Northeast Special Recreation had played many great tournaments on the local and state levels, which earned them a spot to compete in these games.
Many of these athletes faced numerous challenges throughout their lives, as well as going into the World Winter Games. The team trained rigorously in the months leading up to the international competition.
With long travel days and the pressure of competition, the World Games proved to be their biggest challenge yet. Their dreams of winning the gold medal hang in the balance.
Directed and Produced by Greg Di Roma and Jeffrey Cobelli
Music by Amato Peace and ANTWONTSTOP
Full Crew
Greg Di Roma
Co-Director & Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Executive Producer
Jeffrey Cobelli
Co-Director & Producer, Cinematographer, Executive Producer
Amato Peace
Lead Composer, Sound Mixer & Engineer, Post Production Support
ANTWONTSTOP
Music Production Assistant and Advisor, Composer
Chris Lueck
Cinematographer
Amir Gordan-Nicholson
Production Assistant
Eric Greenberg
Communications Liason
Christina Di Roma
Additional Interviewer
C.J. Pareti
Additional Footage
Robin Wilson
Post-Production Support
Matt Lewis
Post-Production Support
Home footage Provided by Jim Smith and Paul Di Roma
VHS Tapes Transferred by Classic Memories and Everpresent
Special Thanks To
Northeast Special Recreation
Special Olympics
Special Olympics New York
New York Raptors Special Hockey
Westchester Skating Academy
Filmed on location in Peekskill, NY, Somers, NY, Elmsford, NY, Mt. Kisco, NY, Hawthorne, NY
Archival Footage Courtesy of
KDDI Tokyo
Special Olympics
News 12 Westchester
Livebarn