Special Olympics North Carolina Announces North Carolina Courage Midfielder Riley Jackson as First Community Ambassador - SONC

Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) is proud to announce the launch of its Community Ambassador program, a new initiative designed to engage current and former professional and collegiate athletes, Olympians, musicians, and leaders across the sports and entertainment industries who are passionate about using their platforms to advance inclusion and champion opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

As the inaugural ambassador for the program, SONC is excited to welcome Riley Jackson, midfielder for the North Carolina Courage (NC Courage) of the National Women’s Soccer League and a member of the 2026 U.S. Women’s National Team.

Growing up in Roswell, Georgia, Jackson developed a love for soccer at an early age while being coached by her father. The sport has long been a cornerstone of her family’s life, and she has remained committed to giving back to the community throughout her career. Jackson is especially passionate about inspiring the next generation and encouraging young people to pursue their dreams both on and off the field.

“The Special Olympics movement is a beautiful example of the power of sport. Sports bring together people from all walks of life and backgrounds, creating a community built on inclusion, respect, and joy,” said Jackson. Everyone, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or the circumstances they face, deserves the opportunity to participate in sport and experience the confidence, connection, and sense of belonging it can provide.”

Jackson’s ambassadorship will officially begin through a collaborative initiative between SONC and the NC Courage. On Thursday, September 17, the organizations will host a Unified soccer event at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, bringing together Special Olympics athletes from across the region alongside local law enforcement partners for an evening of recreation-based soccer activities focused on inclusion, teamwork, and community engagement. SONC athletes and law enforcement partners can learn more and register for the event HERE.

During the event, Jackson will participate directly with Special Olympics athletes, playing alongside them on the pitch, interacting with participants, and helping demonstrate the transformative power of sport to unite people of all abilities.

The celebration will continue during the NC Courage’s Local Heroes Night, when the club hosts Gotham FC on Saturday, September 19. During the match, Jackson will be recognized in-stadium as SONC’s first Community Ambassador, with Special Olympics athletes and supporters in attendance to celebrate the partnership and its shared commitment to inclusion. SONC athletes and supporters can claim complimentary tickets to the Sept. 19 match with purchase of a single game ticket by visiting HERE. Please contact acrider@nccourage.com with any ticket-related questions.

The SONC Community Ambassador program reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to expanding awareness, creating meaningful community connections, and inspiring others to champion inclusion throughout North Carolina.

For program-related or day-of-event media inquiries, please contact:

Anthony Cangelosi Sport Director – Sport Partnerships acangelosi@sonc.net / 240-620-7366

About Special Olympics North Carolina Since 1968, the organization has used the transformative power of sports to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Nearly 53,000 athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and Unified partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) in North Carolina inspire thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved in Special Olympics statewide. SONC offers year-round training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports on local and state levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Youth become agents of change through Unified Champion Schools, an education and sports-based program created by Special Olympics to build an inclusive environment among youth with and without intellectual disabilities as well as empower them to become youth leaders and create change in their community. Engage with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.