Special Needs Soccer, a national adaptive soccer organization based in Port Washington, released the first set of practice plans for soccer organizations around the country working with challenged children.
Whether just starting up or already established, many organizations around the country are incorporating the practice plans into their own programs, said Dan Brotman, founder of Special Needs Soccer.
Users vary from individuals who have no soccer or specific special needs backgrounds, to already established programs with dozens of participants. The easy-to-follow practice plans were designed so that anyone who was looking to start or enhance their own programs could have a trove of tested materials at their disposal. There is no charge for the practice plans and they can be freely downloaded at SpecialNeedsSoccer.com.
“The response to the practice plans has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Brotman said. “The practices are being used by organizations all over the country including North Carolina, Texas and California, and as far away as Australia.”
There are currently four complete sessions available for download with another four slated to be released by the end of the year. The plans consist of fun drills and activities that allow challenged children to participate to their individual capacity. “Participation Not Competition” is part of Special Needs Soccer’s mantra, and while many of the sessions have a competitive element, it is not the focus.
The practice plans are based on research conducted by Brotman and his team of advisors and utilized by Port Washington’s Special Needs Soccer program, which began its Spring 2014 season on April 26 at Manorhaven Park.
The sessions run from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. through June 14. Registration is now open and interested parents/players can visit PortWashingtonSoccer.com/registration to learn more.
Committed, high-school-aged volunteers, who are looking to give back to the community by providing a rewarding and memorable experience to the challenged youth of Port Washington, can also visit PortWashingtonSoccer.com to learn how they can enrich the program.
Soccer is arguably the simplest sport to play, yet it is the one of the most physically engaging with constant action and flow. For a Special Needs sports program, this is a combination for individual and group success.
Special Needs Soccer has crafted SpecialNeedsSoccer.com, a website with comprehensive information for communities to use as a blueprint in order to enhance or launch their own programs. The Special Needs Soccer site has everything a soccer organization needs, including meticulously developed practice plans, developed by a team of world-class physical therapists and soccer trainers, Brotman said. The site, materials and practice plans are completely free.
