Marpole Adaptive Soccer
Marpole Adaptive Soccer is a free program designed for kids aged 3 - 18 who’ve faced barriers to sport participation. Many of our athletes have autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, or intellectual disability, but we also welcome athletes without a diagnosis.
Our coaches and volunteers are committed to meeting your child where they’re at and including them in the way that meets their needs.
Where: Outdoors! South Vancouver Field!
When: Wednesdays
Times: 6 - 7 pm (Marpole Mighty! ages 3+, active start, fundamental skills, playing games and Marpole Majors!, all ages , structured soccer skills, playing games)
How Long: May 3, 2023 to June 28, 2023
What: Adaptive soccer! All the soccer fun in a supportive environment, meeting your child right where they are.
Cost: free!
Contact: Courtney Dixon - Marpole Soccer Club Registrar - registrar.marpole@gmail.com
Player register: PROGRAM FULL - THANK YOU!
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION: https://forms.gle/Pxm461LSW93Anc8s8
Why has adaptive soccer been a good choice for your family?
- It has been a good choice for our family because we can all be involved, and Layla can participate however she chooses and still feel included and BE included.
What has been the biggest surprise so far this season?
- All the amazing support from the community through all of the volunteers and donations.
How is your child enjoying playing on a team?
- Layla LOVES the program. Especially the parachute! She loves to be around the participants, siblings, volunteers and parents and watch and learn from everyone of all abilities. She does not feel intimidated as she sometimes does when around kids wit more advanced verbal skills. She asks about the program and her friends there all week!
Why is adaptive sports important to your family?
- The program is so important to our family to connect and make a contribution to this amazing community. We are very lucky to have this and for Layla to learn from everyone and see ALL the kids with all the levels of ability of being included and being part of something so FUN!
Charlotte has an intellectual disability caused by a rare genetic variant called EIF3F.
Charlotte knew from the first practice with the Legendary Rhinos that adaptive soccer was a place where she could feel she belongs. She knows she is free to move arund the field however it works best for her and there will be lots of adults cheering her on. There is a sense of relief of being among other families whose children have similar challenges, knowing we are there for the same type of experience, just letting our kids be exactly who they are in a team environment, whatever that may look like. The biggest surprise has probably been seeing how Charlotte's skills are genuinely improving. She has learned some great new skills and seems very proud of herself for doing so!
To say Charlotte is enjoying being on the Legendary Rhinos team is a huge understatement! As soon as she realizes it is soccer day, we talk about practically nothing else from that moment until the 6:00pm practice. Her favorite thing is meeting new people and getting their names, and now have a whole roster of soccer folks that we talk about all week long.
Adaptive Sports are important because all kids and families deserve a place to engage in recreational sport where they can feel perfectly comfortable showing up exactly how they are, with expectations that meet them where they're at, and a high level of encouragement and support no matter what their skill level.
AAC Stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. We call Charlotte's AAC her 'talker'. it is an iPad mini with a communication app called Speak for Yourself in a protective case with a handle so she can carry it with her everywhere (though, we often hold it for her when she's out on the field). She uses it to augment her speech, which can be hard for people to understand, especially if they are new to hearing her talk. For example, the team name "Legendary Rhinos" is not an easy thing for her to say with her voice but she can say it loud and clear with her talker when its time for the team Cheer!
