The Downtown Soccer League has launched a pilot program called Challengers designed specifically to welcome and support children with special needs. Kids ages 5 to 17 with special needs will be paired with a high school volunteer from the league who will work 1:1 with them to provide guidance and encouragement. The program is free.

Sessions will run over the next three Saturdays, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 and Nov. 23, from 10:30 to 11:30a at Pier 26. With the pilot program, the intention of is to gather feedback so the league can start a formal program next season.

The program is structured to have a warm-up session followed by a modified drill and then a fun, volunteer/player scrimmage, allowing each child to participate in a way that feels comfortable. The maximum number of players in each session will be 12.

“Our main goal is to create a positive experience where children can get some exercise, learn soccer fundamentals, build confidence, and make friends,” the organizers — Eileen Montague, Brian Epstein and Stacey McArdle — said in an email.

Register here or email challengers@downtownsoccernyc.org for more information.

The Downtown Little League has long had a Challengers Program for baseball. Find more about that here.