The Richmond Kickers were proud to host a RVAccess session at City Stadium on Saturday, April 16. Sunny and seventy-five degrees, RVAccess could not have asked for better weather and the atmosphere was incredible for our athletes with special needs from the greater Richmond area as well as their buddies, a majority from the Richmond Kickers youth soccer club, Collegiate School, and several local soccer clubs. Both athletes and buddies alike were excited to play on the same field as our hometown professional soccer team, the Richmond Kickers.
“We are so fortunate to have access to such a prestigious venue for our kids” said Carter Blair, RVAccess Director. “Our athletes got to experience first-hand playing on the same field as the professional team as well as some of their role models.”
“We were thrilled to be able to offer RVAccess the use of City Stadium” commented Rob Ukrop, President of the Richmond Kickers. “It is wonderful to have a program that serves the special needs community enabling them to enjoy one of the best soccer pitches in the country, a field that has hosted a World Cup Qualifier, the US Men’s National Team, and some of the best players from Europe including the 1996 Italian Olympic team. We look forward to hosting RVAccess athletes, buddies, and their families again in the near future.”
The session at City Stadium was part of an eight-week spring season that also rotates between The Collegiate School and Hensley Park, March through May.
About RVAccess
RVAccess offers children with special needs the opportunity to play soccer. Open to boys and girls ages 3-19, sessions are held at the beautiful, 80-acre natural grass complex, Hensley Park in Midlothian and at Collegiate School in Richmond’s West End.
Through the generous support of private donors, RVAccess is a cost-free program offering a fun, challenging, and exciting way for athletes of all abilities to play the game they love.
Each session is tailored to the individual athlete’s needs ranging from fun activities to small sided games and athletes will be partnered with a buddy to work one on one. Using an assortment of large and small soccer balls, hula-hoops, cones, and games, the athletes learn soccer skills in a fun and supportive group environment.
The buddies encourage the athletes to participate to the best of their abilities, and foster the love of the game. The athlete-buddy relationship creates patience and compassion which often transcend the confines of the soccer field.
India Lipton, explains why RVAccess is special to her and her son, Dylan. “RVAccess has been wonderful for our little guy Dylan. Dylan is only 4 but he’s been through quite a bit. With 22 Brain Surgeries under his belt already, you can imagine he’s a tough little guy so having opportunities to just let loose and be a kid is so important for him. Being an athlete is a great way for him to connect with others in a healthy way. Not only was he able to start kicking balls and increasing his endurance, he got the opportunity to show off his new soccer skills at the Special Olympics VA Little Feet Meet this week! He’s teaching his teammates American Sign Language and loves blowing off some steam with his big buddies chasing him all over the field with his walker. We affectionately call him our little “Kicklet” since he’s just a Mini Kicker after all! We are looking forward to watching his skills grow both on and off the field with his team.”
To learn more about RVAccess and the 2016 spring schedule, please visit https://www.richmondkickers.com/RVAccess/ or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RVAccess
To sign up as an athlete for the remainder of the spring season, please visit https://www.youthleaguesusa.com/kickers/15-16/RVAccess.html
To sign up as a buddy volunteer, please visit https://www.youthleaguesusa.com/kickers/15-16/RVAccessBuddy.html
