Power Soccer:
Power soccer is designed for children and adults
who use power wheelchairs. The game is played with
an oversized 18 soccer ball in an indoor gym. Thick
plastic guards (bumpers) are attached to the
front of the wheelchairs to protect the players
feet and wheelchair. The players use their power
wheelchair with the bumpers to maneuver themselves
to push and pass the soccer ball anywhere on the court. Two teams of four players try to get past
each other to score goals. The oversized ball is
designed to prevent collision and all players MUST
follow formal rules created by the United
States
Power Soccer Association (USPSA).
The first league in New
Jersey has started. We currently have 22
children ages 6 to 19 that are thoroughly
enjoying the opportunity to participate in a
team sport. At each training session, we practice drills, work on ball handling skills,
and play scrimmage games.
Power soccer is the perfect sport for any child or
adult who has a physical disability that also
affects their upper body strength. Most wheelchair
sports require the player to have good use of
their hands or strength to hold and throw a ball. The game of power soccer requires the player
to be able to operate a POWER wheelchair
independently and be cognitively age
appropriate. Power soccer participants include
persons with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy,
spina bifida, spinal cord injuries, multiple
sclerosis, head trauma, stroke and other
disabilities.
We are currently recruiting:
Players
players must be at least 6 years old and MUST be
able to drive a power wheelchair.
Coaches
We would like to recruit at least 2 additional
coaches. The players are anxious to have official
games, so we want to divide into two or three
teams.
Power soccer is similar to regular soccer, so
anyone who has experience in coaching or an
interest in soccer can adapt their knowledge to
power soccer. We have a training manual and a
video from the USPSA (United State Power Soccer
Association). We also plan on holding a training
session with a representative from the USPSA.
Referees/Assistants
We usually need a few volunteers to help the
coach give direction to the players and enforce
the rules.
Facility Space
We are always looking for gym space. The space
needs to be approximately the size of an indoor
basketball court (school gym/all purpose room,
YMCA gym, church hall, etc). Our soccer league is
fully insured through an amateur sports insurance
program. Donated space would be great, but if there
is a fee involved, we have raised funds and could
pay a facility fee. We usually play once or twice
a month on Saturday or Sunday afternoons for 2
hours. Obtaining gym space has proved to be the
hardest part of getting this league started.
Click on these
links for short videos about our league and the
game of Power Soccer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qn1Hd11_Gc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ice8voqgAZg&feature=related
http://njmg.typepad.com/fixture/2008/05/ironman-httpyou.html
Children and adults with physical disabilities
deserve to have a full life socially,
recreationally, physically, and emotionally this
Power Soccer League is just the first step! We
invite you to be part of this wonderful program!
For more information or to get involved, please
contact Jeanmarie or Ken Falco at 973-492-5857 or
via email at
njpowersoccer@optonline.net
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