Power Soccer:
Power soccer is designed for children and adults
who use power wheelchairs. Thick plastic guards
(bumpers) are attached to the front of the
wheelchairs to protect the players feet and
wheelchair. The game is played in an indoor gym
with an oversized 18 soccer ball. The players
maneuver their chairs 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 who thoroughly enjoy 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 ideal for children or
adults with a physical disability that also
affects their upper body strength. Most wheelchair
sports require good use of
the hands or strength to hold and throw a ball. Power soccer requires the ability 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
Minimum 6 years old and must be able to drive a power wheelchair.
Coaches
Power soccer is similar to regular soccer, so
anyone with 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 some volunteers to help the
coach give direction to the players and enforce
the rules.
Facility Space
We are always in need of gym space. The sport
requires 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 is preferred, but we
can find funding if a fee is involved. We
play once or twice a month on Saturday or Sunday
afternoons for 2 hours.
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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