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 personal 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
Behind the Scenes
Let’s Celebrate Together
The 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in Nagano, Japan from February 26, 2005-March 5, 2005. Special Olympics chose Japan to expand their reach in Asia. Nagano would become the first city to host every variation of the Olympic games, having previously hosted the 1998 Olympics and Paralympics. This also would be the first Special Olympics World Games held in Asia. The sports that were played in these games were floor hockey, figure skating, speedskating, alpine skiing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. 84 countries participated with 1829 Athletes and 746 Coaches. The games also had 932 officials, 9935 volunteers, 1200 media personnel and approximately 91,000 spectators.
Team USA-A Northeast Knights
Northeast Special Recreation, an agency for people with special needs based out of Hawthorne, NY, built their Special Olympics program from the ground up. Their floor hockey team was put together around 2003-2004. In 2004 they entered into the Special Olympics New York State Winter Games in the Nevele in the Catskills, where they would win gold. Little did they know that the tournament was a World Winter Games qualifier. They would be selected to be one of two floor hockey teams representing the United States in the 2005 World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. With that, they would also have to expand their roster from 11 to 16 players. For the next 6 months from late 2004 to early 2005, Northeast trained rigorously for Japan. Once they arrived, they met their biggest challenge yet.
Team USA-A/Northeast Knights Roster
From left to right
First Row: Paul Ryder, Rick Dammann
Second Row: Anna Charitou, Mousy Lewis, Will Smith, Andrew Stawicki, Max Maksimyadis, Nicole Wagg, Richard Bouman
Third Row: Ricky Hunt, Frank Ragusa, Annemarie O’Sullivan, Greg Di Roma, Keith Caminiti, Troy Ackerly,
Mike Danko
Press
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Meet the Crew
Greg Di Roma
Co-Director and Producer
Jeffrey Cobelli
Co-Director and Producer
Amato Peace
Composer
ANTWONTSTOP
Additional Composer
Co-Director’s Statement
This film is the culmination of just about every aspect of my life. When I joined Northeast Special Recreation over 25 years ago as a kid, that was one of the first pivotal moments of my life because they helped me come out of my shell. I was very shy and afraid to take on new experiences but Northeast’s programs changed all of that. I realized the talents and interests that I had and it helped me branch off into many different opportunities, sports being one of those.
When I first started competing in Special Olympics, I played many sports I never thought I would. Being picked to play on Northeast’s floor hockey team to play in Japan and represent the USA was a lifechanging moment I would never forget.
My hockey career spans over 20 years playing different variations of it, first being floor hockey then making the transition to ice hockey in which I would start off playing Special Hockey with the New York Raptors then branching off to adult league hockey, having played on many teams and leagues, with over 100 career ice hockey goals throughout along with 2 more championships.
As I was in college, I realized my passion for film and now have had a career spanning over 10 years, having made 2 award winning films. These experiences I’ve had throughout my life are the result of Northeast Special Recreation’s programs and dedication for helping those with special needs. I definitely wouldn’t be the athlete and man I am today without the agency. Everything comes full circle now with this film.
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, Additional Music
Chris Lueck
Cinematographer
Amir Gordan-Nicholson
Production Assistant
Eric Greenberg
Communications Liaison
Christina Di Roma
Additional Interviewer
C.J. Pareti
Additional Footage and Post-Production Support
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
