New Program
Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc. is pleased to announce our new All-Abilities Soccer Program.
The primary objective of the All-Abilities Program is to provide the opportunity for children and youth of all abilities, including those with special needs, physical and/or intellectual disabilities to play soccer, have fun, form friendships and participate in a team sport. Every child deserves a chance to build lasting friendships, make memories and feel like they belong. The All-Abilities team strives for an inclusive environment where no child is noticed for their disability. It is a place where enormous abilities shine. Our program is fully inclusive, designed and adapted for children with any disability or level of behaviour. Whether they use a wheelchair, walker or wear orthotics, or live with an intellectual, communication (ASD) or developmental disability, we provide support (1:1 as needed) and welcome all on the field. At the grassroots and recreational levels, disability soccer programs can provide regular healthy activity to promote wellness, social integration and physical literacy. At the elite level, high performance programs can provide ambitious and talented disability players with opportunities for achievement in national and international competition.
Soccer is Soccer. In coaching players with disabilities and delivering disability soccer programs, coaches and soccer organizations need to remember this. It is easy for coaches and administrators to be fearful that they lack the knowledge to serve players with disabilities. The truth is that they know more than they realize, and disability soccer does not require them to be disability experts. Soccer for players with disabilities is still soccer, and the skills needed to coach disability soccer are just an extension of the same skills that coaches use already. In limited instances where specialized knowledge of a disability is required to serve the players, local disability experts can be engaged as partners in helping to deliver programs.
For more information, you can email us at info@saskatoonyouthsoccer.ca or call our office at (306) 975-3414.