The EPIC Program provides a quality soccer experience for 4-year-old children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams.  All EPIC  Players have the opportunity to play a minimum of one-half of each game. 
 
EPIC teams may include:
 
Players who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Amputees or players with conditions that impair their Mobility
Players who are Mentally or Emotionally challenged
Players with Autism
Players with Down syndrome
Players with Cerebral Palsy
 
Our EPIC Program will be held during our regular fall season.  EPIC helps more than just the players.  Buddies and other volunteers increase their appreciation and understanding of individuals with special needs. They find their lives greatly enriched by their involvement with their new VIP friends. For parents thinking they would never see their children playing a sport or making new friends, EPIC gives them joy and hope.  They are able to relax and enjoy watching their children having fun like other kids, perhaps for the first time.
 
 


We recognize that all children need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. The EPIC program offers that acceptance and carries our philosophy of Everyone Plays to new heights, giving everyone a chance to play.

EPIC teams may include those who are: Blind or visually impaired, amputees or conditions that impair mobility, mentally or emotionally challenged, autistic, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.

GOALS

Our goals for every participating player are: have fun playing soccer, understand the fundamentals of the game, learn teamwork and fair play, increase positive self-esteem, become more physically fit, meet and be comfortable with new people.

Kids with special needs are estimated to make up approximately 10% of the school-age population. Special schools and classrooms can isolate these children so the EPIC Program has been structured to integrate our special kids into the rest of AYSO by playing with their typical peers on the field.

Coaches and Buddies are needed!  Anyone age 12 and up can be a EPIC Buddy.
 
 
What is a EPIC Buddy?  A Buddy is a helper on the field who assists the EPIC player whose mobility is impaired.
 
A buddy can encourage a player and “feed” the ball to him/her
A buddy must accompany a player in a wheelchair – can propel the player safely and watch for other player
A buddy can help to monitor players for signs of fatigue, stress, overheating or conditions that compromise their safety
A buddy can make friends with the players and gain their confidence
A buddy can help to make players independent and also become supporters and friends.
 
 
AYSO provides Community Service credits for its volunteers!
 
 
We are looking for volunteers, buddies, and coaches to help run this program.
 
 
For more information, including registration information, please contact EPIC Regional Administrator Anand Rao at [email protected].