Each child had their triumphant moment as the Triumph Soccer program's final game was played out Saturday at the Hendrix soccer field.
Triumph Soccer is a program of Community Connections, a nonprofit organization founded by Pediatrics Plus, dedicated to offering programs to children with special needs. Kristie Hicks, executive director of Community Connections, and Dee Smith, a physical therapist who heads up the soccer program, recently explained how Triumph Soccer came about.
Hicks said Allison Wolf, a Hendrix student studying to be a physical therapist, came to Pediatrics Plus to do an internship. Wolf wanted to do a project. Upon discovering Wolf played soccer, Smith suggested she start a soccer program.
Hosted at the Hendrix soccer field, Triumph Soccer is designed to allow every child with a special need to participate and have a great time.
"The community has really stepped up in terms of volunteers to support this program," said Hicks.
Hendrix coaches, Hendrix students and staff, University of Central Arkansas soccer players and Conway Christian girls soccer players are among the volunteers, she said.
Smith said the program is for children with all types of special needs those who are in wheelchairs, who have autism, who use walkers, etc. Each child has a "buddy" (volunteer) who helps them on the field. Therapists from Pediatrics Plus help the volunteers understand how to modify so every child can participate.
For example, Smith said, for a little boy in a wheelchair, if the ball hits his chair, he is allowed to pick up the ball and throw it.
"Every child will score a goal in the game," she said. "Some of our higher functioning kids are working on social skills. They'll kick the ball to a child in a walker who can't get all the way down the field to score a goal."
Hicks said, "The thing I'm touched by is that parents are so excited their children are out there playing soccer. Many of these children wouldn't be able to participate in a traditional community soccer program."
Smith said, "Our goal is that the children learn the fundamentals of soccer but also have a great time doing it."
David Grimes of Conway has a child in the program. His son, John David, 6, completed his first season in Triumph Soccer on Saturday.
"I think it's awesome," Grimes said. "Our son is actually able to play in some of the regular leagues, but some of the other kids are not, and the Triumph Soccer program is just fantastic. He (John David) can't wait each week to have practice. He enjoys it very much. The Hendrix coaches and players have been tremendous in helping out with all these kids, and I want to thank them for all their help."
This year the program had 25 children. Hicks said the goal is to grow, but because Community Connections is a new nonprofit, it is still trying to increase its funding.
She concluded, "Every Saturday morning these parents are out there with their cameras and their videocameras, and they're clapping. The program is very positive. Even if the child is not able to walk a very long distance, when they score that goal, the smile on that child's face is worth every minute we've put into that program."
(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)
