At EMSA South West, inclusion is alive… and kicking. The zone has opened an Adaptive Soccer program aimed at neurodiverse and/or impaired players ages 5-18. This initiative, led by SWEMSA President Mary Hilbrecht, offers an inclusive environment for players of all levels of ability and has become a fun and safe space for everyone involved.

“We realized there were no programs for players with impairments, so we thought we should start one since we truly believe in inclusion. We got a grant from Canada Soccer to help us set up, received great guidance from them, and now the program is growing, which is amazing”, says Hilbrecht. When asked about the number of players participating, she says, “it varies. It is important for us to keep a good coach-player ratio, as some players need 1 to 1, and some need 1 to 4. Once we know our players further, we hope to welcome more.”

For Eric Pinnell, whose 13-year-old son Matthew is involved in the program, “this is great. It gives him the opportunity to feel included, as opposed to other activities for kids his age. It’s been a few years since he was able to join a soccer program, and I can tell he’s really enjoying it.” This sentiment has been confirmed by Matthew himself. “He always tells about how he won the game, which helps boost his confidence”, his father says with a smile.

During the hour-long session, coaches make sure every player is taken care of, encouraging participation and fostering a love for soccer. According to Mary Hilbrecht, “they are wonderful. We are always looking to recruit more coaches, so if you are interested, please reach out.”

Hilbrecht closes with an open invitation before going back to the field. “Come check us out! Try the program for a week or two, and see if it’s a good fit for you. This is a good activity for the children, they exercise, they get social, and at the end of the day, it’s soccer… and we all love soccer!”

For more details about SWEMSA Adaptive Soccer, please click here.

To check the photo album, please click here.