The Good Son
03-12-2009, 09:37 AM
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/03/12/20090312nwvadapt0312.html
http://www.azcentral.com/i/sized/7/5/0/e298/j350/PHP49B800BCF4057.jpg
The athletes zipped about an indoor court, jockeying to spin-kick an oversized soccer ball by way of bumpers mounted on the front of their wheelchairs.
It is practice day for the Surprise Storm, the second power-wheelchair soccer team in Arizona. Surprise unveiled its new team at a January clinic, which included a demonstration by Mesa's Arizona Heat.
"Up until now, people from all over the Valley went to Mesa," said Joe Gladieux, Surprise recreation coordinator. "It's very popular for people who use power wheelchairs. It's a fast-growing sport for that population."
Power soccer is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power-wheelchair users, according to the United States Power Soccer Association, which governs the sport.
The sport is one of 47 Surprise programs geared toward people with physical or developmental disabilities, said Gladieux.
The quick-paced soccer game comes with hard-and-fast rules such as the player must maneuver the ball with the wheelchair only. Fouls are called for offenses that include a player restraining the movement of an opponent's wheelchair.
So far, about 10 people have signed on for the Surprise team, which includes children as young as 5 years old to adults, Gladieux said. Plans are to split into child and adult teams.
Phoenix resident Madison Wolff, 6, went from playing soccer in her backyard to playing on the team after her mother, Angel, heard about the program.
"She absolutely loves it," Angel Wolff said.
The Surprise programs draw residents from across the Valley.
Scottsdale resident Holly Cotter said playing soccer was a good change of pace from time spent on health care for her son Ryan, 7.
Until this month, the sport programs were free. But budgetary constraints led to a nominal fee, Gladieux said. Residents pay $5 and non-residents are charged a fee ranging from $10 to $20 for most sporting programs. Budget concerns also mean there are no immediate plans to add programs.
Some cities are cutting their adaptive programs, "but we are totally in support of ours," Gladieux said. "Surprise is very supportive of people with disabilities. It all started with former Mayor Joan Shafer. "
Shafer, who died last year, spearheaded the building of a $1.6 million ballpark specifically adapted for disabled people. The field at DreamCatcher Park is named after her. The adaptive programs came online within two years of the accessible park, Gladieux said.
http://www.azcentral.com/i/sized/7/5/0/e298/j350/PHP49B800BCF4057.jpg
The athletes zipped about an indoor court, jockeying to spin-kick an oversized soccer ball by way of bumpers mounted on the front of their wheelchairs.
It is practice day for the Surprise Storm, the second power-wheelchair soccer team in Arizona. Surprise unveiled its new team at a January clinic, which included a demonstration by Mesa's Arizona Heat.
"Up until now, people from all over the Valley went to Mesa," said Joe Gladieux, Surprise recreation coordinator. "It's very popular for people who use power wheelchairs. It's a fast-growing sport for that population."
Power soccer is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power-wheelchair users, according to the United States Power Soccer Association, which governs the sport.
The sport is one of 47 Surprise programs geared toward people with physical or developmental disabilities, said Gladieux.
The quick-paced soccer game comes with hard-and-fast rules such as the player must maneuver the ball with the wheelchair only. Fouls are called for offenses that include a player restraining the movement of an opponent's wheelchair.
So far, about 10 people have signed on for the Surprise team, which includes children as young as 5 years old to adults, Gladieux said. Plans are to split into child and adult teams.
Phoenix resident Madison Wolff, 6, went from playing soccer in her backyard to playing on the team after her mother, Angel, heard about the program.
"She absolutely loves it," Angel Wolff said.
The Surprise programs draw residents from across the Valley.
Scottsdale resident Holly Cotter said playing soccer was a good change of pace from time spent on health care for her son Ryan, 7.
Until this month, the sport programs were free. But budgetary constraints led to a nominal fee, Gladieux said. Residents pay $5 and non-residents are charged a fee ranging from $10 to $20 for most sporting programs. Budget concerns also mean there are no immediate plans to add programs.
Some cities are cutting their adaptive programs, "but we are totally in support of ours," Gladieux said. "Surprise is very supportive of people with disabilities. It all started with former Mayor Joan Shafer. "
Shafer, who died last year, spearheaded the building of a $1.6 million ballpark specifically adapted for disabled people. The field at DreamCatcher Park is named after her. The adaptive programs came online within two years of the accessible park, Gladieux said.