Soccer gives wheelchair users a powerful boost

Timothy Donovan cried out with glee as he pushed the oversize soccer ball into the goal with his wheelchair. He then raced to tell his father about his feat.

"I like making goals," said Timothy, a student at Russell Elementary School in Quantico.

Observing similar moments of triumph led Debbie Locastro to volunteer to help get Fairfax County's first power soccer league off the ground.

It is the first competitive team sport designed for power wheelchair users, according to the U.S. Power Soccer Association, the governing body for the sport. Other wheelchair sports, including basketball, are for manually powered wheelchairs.

When she first watched the sport during a clinic in Reston last year, "it was neat to see the parents on the sidelines cheering" for the players, said Locastro, an adapted physical education teacher for Fairfax County public schools.

After a successful trial program in Reston, the Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services' Therapeutic Recreation Division launched its first full season of the Northern Virginia Patriots Power Soccer Club this month. The club is open to power wheelchair users 5 or older who can control their wheelchairs.

The rules are similar to those of traditional soccer. Teams of four players, including one goalkeeper, use plastic or metal guards mounted to the fronts of their chairs to maneuver the ball, which is larger than a standard soccer ball.

A power wheelchair travels at speeds of up to 12 mph. Top power soccer players can stop on a dime, deftly changing the direction of their wheelchairs to take control of the ball to pass it or attempt a goal kick, Ted Phillips said.

"That's really the beautiful thing about this sport," said Phillips, whose son Steve, a student at Northern Virginia Community College, is a member of the Patriots.

The Fairfax group, which has eight members who compete against each other, is working toward developing a team that can play within the U.S. Power Soccer Association.

"He's very proud to be part of this league," Phillips said. "He wants to win the national championship."

The players begin practice with warm-ups, maneuvering the ball with their chairs. In drills, they practice passing the ball to their teammates, scoring goals and performing corner kicks, a maneuver that involves a quick 180-degree spin of the chair to generate power and directional control.

Playing power soccer also has therapeutic benefits for the players, Locastro said.

"I'm seeing their self-confidence has increased," she said. "They're trying new things, taking a little more risk."

June White said she sees the benefits for her daughter Norma, a student at Fox Mill Elementary School, who has been playing since last year. Doing a different type of activity helps Norma's spatial awareness and maneuverability.

"She loves this because it's so social for her," White said.

The league is seeking players, volunteer coaches and sponsors. Contact Katelyn Masterson at 703-324-5517 or katelyn.masterson@fairfaxcounty.gov.