Terrance Gonzales-Armstrong walked onto the ice with his broom, passing the ball to teammates and shooting into the net at Ottawa Park’s outdoor ice rink.

Mr. Gonzales-Armstrong is a tall, broad-shouldered, and burly 21-year-old, but he fit right in with girls from one of Bowsher High School’s broomball teams.

That is the goal, after all.

Athletes from Lucas County Special Olympics practice every Tuesday with girls from area high school broomball teams. Mr. Gonzales-Armstrong started playing in 2015, and he’s not afraid to boast about his skills.

He demonstrated his passing and shooting techniques like a pro.

“I’ll show you; I’m talented,” Mr. Gonzales-Armstrong said. “Watch out, I don’t want to hit you ... and I scored like this.”

Lucas County Special Olympics coordinator Kelley Watson partnered with the Toledo parks and recreation department three years ago to start the program. The city donates the ice time and maintains the rink with its own Zamboni.

Usually a pair of broomball teams hold a practice and incorporate the Special Olympic athletes, then scrimmage against each other. Some students receive service hours for taking part.

City recreation supervisor Aaron Myers said it’s the only outdoor rink of its kind in Toledo. The ice is surrounded by boards and Plexiglas, and a small line of evergreen trees gives it a backyard rink feel.

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to a population that needs our help and support,” Mr. Myers said. “I have a deep passion for sports and for the special needs population, so to me it’s particularly pleasing.”

Bowsher has four teams in the Greater Toledo Broomball League. Brad Mauk coaches one, and helps out with the weekly program.

“They just fit in,” Mr. Mauk said. “The girls accept them for who they are and that they’re playing the same sport they are. They just mesh so well. You don’t even have to say anything. You just start introducing people and they just go with it.”

Victoria Davis, 16, plays for Bowsher Snow Mercy. She met Mr. Gonzales-Armstrong for the first time last week, but it didn’t take long for them to make a connection on the ice.

“I treat them like they’re my friends, and they are,” Victoria said. “Even though I just met them, they’re going to be my friends. I saw Terrance when I walked in and he started talking to me. I thought he was a cool guy.

“I just want them to feel comfortable, so I try not to isolate them too much. They’re actually really into it. We were showing them how to scoop a little better, and they were really interested in it. They want to score goals and work with us, and play broomball just like we do.”

Broomball has proven to be an effective way to get the athletes more involved with the community. The sport doesn’t require much equipment outside of a taped-up broom and kneepads.

The rules are similar to hockey, minus the skates. Mr. Mauk said the ice makes for close competition.

“No matter how athletic or nonathletic you are, the ice makes everyone equal at some point,” he said.

Ms. Watson said as many as a dozen athletes play with the teams each week. They also have the opportunity to learn to ice skate on the other side of the rink.

The goal is to eventually have enough athletes involved to place them on the same team each week.

“It’s nice for them to be able to do things with people their age, and be with community members instead of the same athletes all the time,” Ms. Watson said. “Just having community members get comfortable with our athletes has been huge. They walk in and they’re getting hugs and high-fives from the girls now.”

Broomball has gained in popularity in northwest Ohio over the last 30-40 years, starting with a weekend tournament that eventually led to today’s 20-team GTBL with more than 200 girls.

“I think it’s a really good sport for girls,” Victoria said. “We don’t usually get out there and be rough and tough. Broomball gives us an opportunity to do that.”

The weekly program is open to anyone who wants to play, including families, and runs through the first week of March. Call 419-936-2997 prior to each session to make sure weather permits.

Contact Jay Skebba at jskebba@theblade.com, 419-376-9414, or on Twitter @JaySkebbaBlade.

First Published February 12, 2018, 1:48 a.m.