Adaptive Soccer Clinic with Saint Michael's College Athletes

​Posted by Nicole Deorsey
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 On Sunday October 21st, twenty EDD athletes and Saint Michaels Women’s and Men’s Soccer players all came together for an adaptive soccer clinic. Andie and I had been looking forward to this clinic throughout our whole time being interns for EDD. Our goal was to make it the best clinic it could possibly be for the athletes. It also gave athletes the opportunity to learn about the basics of soccer and to build scrimmage with and against the SMC athletes. 
        As I circulated around to each athlete, I noticed that they were engaged and having a lot of fun no matter what type of skill level they had. It was really about them as athletes and being able to get away for a whole and just play soccer. The college athletes had a wonderful time seeing familiar faces and developing new bonds with other athletes. Following the soccer session, we celebrated the athletes’ efforts by giving them each a trophy and certificate. They ran through a tunnel of out-stretched arms, created by the SMC soccer players, to the tune of a huge cheering section. We are looking forward to holding another clinic in Spring of 2017 at Saint Michael’s College to grow more connections between SMC athletes a special bond with the college athletes and local youth who participate with EDD.