Empower Sports Network: Building Inclusion Through Athletics

At Empower Sports Network (ESN), we believe athletics is more than competition — it’s a vehicle for growth, teamwork, and opportunity. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to create an inclusive community where athletes of all abilities can train, compete, and develop skills that carry far beyond the playing field.

A Vision of Inclusion

What makes ESN unique is that everyone trains under one roof. Adaptive athletes and mainstream athletes work side by side, learning from one another and striving toward shared goals. “This world is not separated,” says our leadership. “It doesn’t matter what someone’s ability is — we all have to learn how to work together to accomplish the task at hand.”

This philosophy drives everything we do. For us, inclusion in athletics isn’t optional — it’s essential. It reflects the reality of the world we live in and prepares our athletes to thrive in it.

Celebrating Growth & Impact

In just a short time, ESN has celebrated remarkable milestones. One of the proudest moments came when Dante Canzona, a powerlifting athlete, was selected to represent Team New Jersey at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. His journey shows the power of training, confidence, and community support.

Our annual Pickleball Fundraiser was another milestone, where adaptive athletes competed right alongside everyone else — a living example of what inclusion truly looks like. Beyond events, our programs in Track & Field and Powerlifting have helped athletes come out of their shells, celebrate one another’s achievements, and discover their full potential both inside and outside of sports.

We also recognize the invaluable support of our board members and community partners, who consistently go above and beyond to advance the mission of ESN. Their commitment fuels our ability to grow and reach more athletes.

Looking Ahead

The future of ESN is bold. In the next year, we plan to expand our programs by adding Pickleball and launching another new sport. Our biggest goal is to open our own facility — a home where athletes can train year-round and also access internship opportunities that connect the lessons of athletics to the workforce.

Long term, our vision includes a multi-sport facility, summer camps, and even residential housing where athletes can live, train, and work in one supportive environment. Most importantly, we envision a facility that is fully run by our athletes, reflecting our belief in independence, leadership, and empowerment.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to support Empower Sports Network’s growth:

• Become a Friend of ESN by joining our monthly donor program.

• Sponsor an Athlete to directly support training and competition costs.

• Volunteer your time to help at events or practices.

• Share our story to spread the word about inclusion in athletics.

Every contribution — whether time, funds, or voice — brings us closer to a future where every athlete belongs and thrives.