By the end of this week, Wilmington will be home to the state’s first outdoor Ninja playground, thanks to Neighborhood Ninjas. Through the sport of Ninja, the organization helps underserved and low-income youth develop active lifestyles, confidence, connection, compassion, and resilience.
On Saturday, April 27, the nonprofit’s all-volunteer organization, former “American Ninja Warrior” contestants, local Ninja athletes and coaches, and community members will assemble the NinjaFit Playground. Neighboring the Can-Do Playground, it will feature obstacles geared towards teens, young adults, and adults, like parkour hurdles, a spider wall, quad steps, a cargo net, a firefighter pole, various monkey bars, and other equipment.
So, what exactly is Ninja Sport?
In 1997, “Sasuke” premiered on Japanese TV, where contestants navigated through a series of obstacles, increasing in difficulty. The show climbed to the top of the rating charts and inspired a global phenomenon. The cable network, G4, aired the first American Ninja Challenge in 2007. In 2009, NBC relaunched the show as “American Ninja Warrior.” Followed by "Ninja Warrior UK” in 2015 and “American Ninja Warrior Jr.” in 2018.
By then, training wasn’t just for the show’s hopefuls, ninja sports competitions, classes, leagues, coaches, and training facilities popped up. It has been embraced by competitors from all walks of life, from six to 76. Unlike other sports, ninja is easily accessible due to minimal equipment, and it can be practiced at home, on a playground, or in various settings.
Stepping Out of the Silver Screen
Neighborhood Ninjas were founded around a central goal - to expand access and diversity to and within the sport of Ninja. To help kids overcome obstacles on the course and in life, Neighborhood Ninjas has four pillars trauma-informed mentorship, scholarship opportunities, community-building programs, and Ninja playgrounds.
Whitney Miller, Neighborhood Ninja Board President and former 2x “American Ninja Warrior” contestant explained, “During the pandemic we thought - ‘We can only give so many scholarships, but what if ninja was just as accessible as basketball? All you have to do is show up and you can play. What if there were outdoor ninja courses?’”
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Baby Steps, Climbs, and Swings
Like many of us, Whitney Miller had trouble recognizing her body and identity post-baby. As a lifelong athlete, she grew up playing basketball and switched to running after college. After baby number three, she realized the warm-up and running process was no longer realistic.
“I was not the cute, teeny-tiny, pregnant lady. My body needed to gain weight with each baby, and it did that very well,” explained Miller. “There were so many obstacles to getting to the gym: some gyms lack childcare or the schedules didn't work with someone's nap or something else. With each subsequent kid, that puzzle became harder to figure out.”
The pieces fell into place after a day rock climbing with friends followed by date night at iCore Fitness, a West Chester ninja gym. As often as their schedule allowed, they’d train at iCore, a warm, welcoming, and kind environment. “At four months postpartum, I just wanted to feel better and move my body well. Replacing the scale goals with movement-based goals was huge and empowering,” said Whitney.
From Playroom to Playground
The following Christmas, Whitney and her husband asked her parents for a playroom full of rock walls, swings, climbing equipment, and obstacles, instead of more toys. She continued to practice at home, at iCore, and everywhere in between.
Recognizing that she couldn’t visit iCore regularly, she started small. The coaches taught her the correct way to do a pull-up. Her homework included drills that could be done at home or on a playground. Each iCore visit included a new skill and conquering a new obstacle in the gym.
In 2021 and 2022, she competed on “American Ninja Warrior.” She became involved in Neighborhood Ninjas, eventually becoming Board President. In 2021, they laid the foundation to bring a ninja gym to our region.
A Space for Every Body
In 2007, six Rotary Clubs from Area 10 came together to fund and build the Can-Do Playground, Delaware’s first Boundless Playground. A decade later, the remaining five Rotary Clubs in Area 10 provided additional funding for more inclusive play with an enhanced focus on physical, cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory development.
Neighborhood Ninjas will host free classes, workshops, community days, and mentorship opportunities. “We are so excited to bring some playfulness, where parents can train for free outdoors with their kids,” said Miller.
Over the next decade, they hope to open a Ninja playground in every state. There are several ways to get involved:
- Sponsor an obstacle or make a donation
- Become a Partner or Ambassador
- Celebrate their grand opening party on May 18 at 11 AM.
The NinjaFit Playground will be free and open from dusk to dawn. Parking fees are required. Alapocas Run State Park is at 4361 Weldin Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803.
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Photos courtesy of Neighborhood Ninjas
