Wichita camp works to make soccer accessible for children with disabilities - RAW CHILI

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Soccer is sometimes called the world’s game, meaning that it’s a game for everyone.

The Outreach Program for Soccer, or TOPSoccer, is working to make that a reality while keeping kids safe and cool.

The camp in Wichita is helping children with disabilities, adapting the game to each kid’s needs so they can play too…

Under the dome, the kids are assigned their own “buddy,” helping to guide them along as they learn.

“A lot of the time those kids come on the field and they see their special buddy and that’s all the excitement in the world to them and then they’re ready to go,” said Jessica Grimes, Manager with TOPSoccer.

Buddies like Isaiah and Blake say, for them it’s about having fun teaching the kids.

“It’s good, I like teaching, it’s fun. Teach them what we know,” Isaiah said.

“It feels like super fun, because we just get to have fun with them and play soccer with them,” said Blake.

Though it’s not only about teaching soccer to kids; it’s also about building relationships between buddies and players.

“They have a safe way of just making sure that they’re still having fun and they don’t necessarily have to be doing exactly what we’re doing, but they’re creating friendships and enjoying themselves here,” said Grimes.

Three of the buddies, Gavin, Noah, and Griffin, were teaching a player named Ryder how to shoot.

“We help them learn how to; if they’re not comfortable, we do what they want to do; if they don’t do something that we want to do, we let them choose,” said Noah.

They say one of the most rewarding parts is watching the players grow over time.

Players like Mario, who they say has grown leaps and bounds since he started.

“We have one athlete who about seven months ago would only be touching the ball with his hands and now he’s over here kicking the ball and he’s learning his balance really well, and you just really grow friendships with these kids,” said Grimes.

Parents or guardians interested in signing their children up for these camps can do so here.