The Neighborhood Bugel
June 29, 2005 • Page 3
Power soccer offers plenty of opportunity for wheelchair athletes
When Heather McCain held a power soccer demonstration in April, her goal was to start up a team here in Maple Ridge. That goal was achieved, and the local four-member team has spent the last six weeks practising the sport in the gym at Golden Ears elementary school.
Heather explained that power soccer is soccer played by people in power wheelchairs. There are four people to each team, including a goalie who is allowed to play all over the field.
‘It’s very similar to the rules of soccer, there’s a lot of strategy involved.” she said. “But in power soccer, players have to control their chairs in order to move at similar speeds as their teammates.” One of the most challenging aspects of power soccer is that
there is no backing up.
“Instead, you have to use strategy, hug the ball between two chairs to get it away from the other players,” Heather explained.
She said that the only equipment required, besides the oversized soccer ball and power wheelchairs, is bumpers for the chairs.
The bumpers clamp onto the front of the wheelchairs and are used to protect the chairs and players’ legs.
They will be made by the the Tetra Society, an organization comprised of volunteer engineers, that creates materials and equipment that aren’t available in stores for people with disabilities.
Heather noted that while the team is getting ready to break for the summer, she still encourages people to sign up now, so that their bumper-order can be placed with Tetra and, come September, they’ll be ready to play.
People of all ages are welcome to join. The current
comprised of two teens – 13 and 15, an eight year old and Heather, who is 25.
“It’s just really fun,” she said. “It shows that power chairs and wheelchairs in general are not just meant to get a person from A to B, but they are for fun as well.”
She pointed out that with most of the players in elementary and high school, where wheelchair speed must be limited, it’s nice for them to be able to get out on the court and go “full blast.”
While there is plenty of fun to power soccer, there is also plenty of opportunity. Heather noted that players from B.C. have competed in tournaments in Penticton and Arizona, and power soccer is also plaved at the Summer Disability Games, which will be hosted by Maple Ridge in 2008.
“People who start on our team are able to go onto higher lev-els,” said Heather, who will be competing in bocce ball at this year’s Summer Games.
The local team has yet to name itself, and is currently looking for sponsorship for gym rentals and requires donations of power wheelchairs.
‘We also have had chairs donated that need repairs,” she said.
Once they’ve established sponsors, Heather said they will plan to organize games between sponsors, parents and players.
“Like any sport, you can watch it and have a general under-standing, or you can play it, and really understand the strategy involved.” she said.
If you’d like more information about power soccer or are able to sponsor the team, call Heather at 604.466.8771.