Uplay’s 10th Community Connect event of the 2026 season brought us back to West Des Moines, Iowa, where we were excited to reconnect with Can Play, an organization we first partnered with in 2024.

The event returned to the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, which continues to provide incredible indoor and outdoor spaces for community organizations and sporting events throughout central Iowa.

Creating More Opportunities to Play

Can Play provides sports and recreation opportunities for thousands of underserved youth facing financial, physical, cognitive, emotional, or chronic health barriers to participation. Through its adaptive and community programs, Can Play reaches approximately 9,000 participants each year.

For this Community Connect, 22 participants and four teachers/adults joined Uplay for an afternoon of disc golf instruction, games, and demonstrations.

Professional disc golfer Ella Hansen led the event, with Harry Chace, Taylor Chocek, Dallas Garber, Bradley Williams, and Kelley Foster supporting the coaching and media efforts.

Even a heavy rain shower couldn’t stop the group! Participants had a great time learning to throw and putt, with many surprising themselves with how far and how well they could throw.

Melissa Clarke-Wharff, Director of Can Play, shared:

“Everything was fantastic. Coaches were great and engaged with everyone. The kids had a great time, and many surprised themselves with how far or how well they were able to play.”

Leaving Disc Golf Behind

Thanks to Uplay’s Community Connect partners, Can Play received:

20 Dynamic Discs Starter Sets (60 discs)
1 Dynamic Discs Marksman Basket
50 Trash Panda Uplay x UDisc discs
1 Uplay Disc Golf Basics Curriculum

Weather and lightning unfortunately prevented Can Play’s H.E.R.S. group from participating later that day, but the donated equipment means their opportunity to play isn’t over.

As Melissa told us:

“We will have them play with all the donated equipment in the future.”

That’s what Community Connect is all about. The event may only last an afternoon, but the equipment, education, and opportunity stay in the community.

Community Connect #10 Impact

22 participants
4 teachers/adults
111 discs donated
1 basket donated
1 Uplay curriculum donated
9,000 participants potentially reached annually through Can Play

A huge thank you to Can Play, the Disc Golf Pro Tour, our equipment partners, and our Pro Coaches for making another Community Connect possible.

We are especially grateful to the touring professionals who continue to arrive early during a busy stretch of the season and make giving back to the local community a priority.

On to Community Connect #11!