Soccer

Soccer is considered the world's most popular sport for children and adults around the world. Similarly, it is one of the most popular sports for Special Olympics athletes. Athletes are able to improve their overall physical fitness through training and competition.

The season runs from March through June.

Note from Coach Chris.... 

I just wanted to take a minute and introduce myself.  My name is Chris Blackburn and I will be coaching the Westerville Special Olympics Soccer Team this spring.  The practices will begin sometime in early April as we are still waiting to see where and when we could hold practices.  I understand there are several other sports going on this spring such as track or tennis, but I will do my best to hold soccer practices on a different night than those sports. 

 

My credentials include playing at Otterbein College which placed second in the nation for Division III while I was there as well as coaching for the COSA Express soccer club while in college.  I currently work as an accountant and am looking very much forward to taking breaks from work to have fun and teach soccer to some great athletes and kids.

My goal above all will to be to have fun.  Sports are hobbies played for exercise and entertainment.  I can promise you I can show them the fundamentals of the game, and I will, but I also want them to have fun.  I anticipate that each practice the kids will work up a sweat and leave laughing and smiling.  We will start with the basics such as learning the basic rules, dribbling, passing, shooting, and positional play.  I believe I will have some assitance with some other coaches at the practices and with this being the case, I will be able to possibly split the kids into some smaller groups based on age and skill level.  This will hopefully help in keeping kids from being bored or from falling behind.  Also, every practice will end with some actual game play where everyone will play.  After all, the athletes are there to play.

I can say we are in the works with setting up possible scrimages with the Worthington Special Olympics Soccer Team and possibly a fun game against some of the Westerville Central High School boys players.

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world.  It is arguably the sport that teaches teamwork more than any other.  Also, it offers more exercise than just about any other sport.  I got to meet some of the older athletes at basketball practice on Tuesday and I had a blast.  I can already see some talented athletes out there that would look great in a soccer jersey.  Seeing Cameron use his strength on the basketball court tells me he could be a great defender.  Susanna looked like she has the coordination of a great midfielder.  Seeing Bill and Erin laughing and having fun tells me they are exactly the athletes I am looking for on my team.  Tyler looks like a quick solid athlete that could play any where.  Jasper and Angel showed great hustle and Patrick was as fundamentally sound on the basketball court that he has goal scoring forward written all over him. 

I'll be at the next basketball practice on Tuesday to meet more of the athletes and help out with practice.  Feel free to email me back with any questions or talk to me in person on Tuesday.  The more athletes that can come and learn soccer the better.

I look forward to meeting more of you soon.

Thanks,

Chris

 

For more information, please contact the soccer coach, Chris Blackburn at crblac@gmail.com.

Be sure to check the calendar for more information about practice dates, locations and tournaments.