Northeast Adaptive Recreation Basketball League comes to RARE

ROSEVILLE/EASTPOINTE — The Recreation Authority of Roseville and Eastpointe is kicking off 2025 with a slam dunk.

For the first time, RARE has joined the Northeast Adaptive Recreation Basketball League, which consists of teenagers and adults with special needs who play basketball with teams from surrounding communities. The team will be known as the RARE Penguins.

The team’s first game of the season — against the Shelby Pistons — is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Recreation Authority Center. The Pistons have been a part of the league for many years. In 2012, current RARE Deputy Director Sara Frederick assisted with practices with the Shelby Pistons when she interned for the Shelby Township Parks and Recreation Department.

Working with athletes with special needs is a passion for Frederick, who has interned for Special Olympics Michigan. When Frederick worked for Waterford Township Parks and Recreation, she introduced a social club for individuals with special needs.

RARE has added several programs for those with special needs, Upcoming events include a walking group, a social game club, a St. Patrick’s Day dance and a bingo night.

Anyone interested in finding out more about RARE’s “therapeutic recreation” for residents with special needs is encouraged to attend a resource fair from 5 to 6 p.m. Jan. 8 at the RARE center, located at 18185 Sycamore St. in Roseville.

For more information on RARE, visit rare-mi.org or call (586) 445-5480.