Write a commentAs the Spring Soccer season is underway for many area youth, so begins the third season for children with special needs at the Richard Benjamin Soccer Complex in Oswego. Ninth grader and Oswego Girls Varsity Soccer player Claudia Chetney has lead the program since the 2012 with the help of many teammates from both the girls and boys Oswego soccer programs, and coaches affiliated with Oswego Youth Soccer Association.
"Giving these kids the opportunity to enjoy the game of soccer was the plan when we started," Chetney explained, "But what I realized was that my teammates, friends and adults who helped each week were enjoying themselves as much as the participants, and without so many volunteers, it could not happen each week."
The same rules apply to this year's soccer session Chetney noted, "We don't worry so much about rules, regulations, penalties, winning or losing, we just have fun." Last year's program saw about 30 children each week where they participated in small scrimmages, fun soccer games, and even wheelchair soccer play.
The Soccer session is just one part of a program called "Doing it Our Way" organized by the Parents of Special Children Office in Fulton. The program was developed to allow special needs individuals participate in sports and other organized activities. "Doing it Our Way" also provides opportunities for kids of all ages and abilities to play Basketball, Baseball, Dance, and Cheerlead.
With the continued support of the Oswego Youth Soccer Association (OYSA) board of directors who have made their facilities available each season, and the help of many adult coaches, and youth soccer players, children of all ages and abilities will be able to participate once again in soccer this Spring.
The 6 week session will begins Saturday, May 2 at 12:30 at the Richard Benjamin Sports complex located behind the Oswego Middle School.
Anyone interested in signing their child up for the upcoming soccer session may contact the Parents of Special Children office at 598-7672 for more details and the Spring schedule.
Volunteers are still needed to help with coaching and providing 1:1 help to a children on the field, please email Chetney at cchetney@oswego.org
