SARATOGA SPRINGS — Following another great season of the Challenger Little League program, the first season of Challenger Soccer this fall was also a win.
Challenger Soccer is an adaptive program in conjunction with the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department that gives players with specialized needs a place to join in and play the game of soccer in our community. The program is structured to educate the players about the game of soccer, develop the physical skills needed to play the sport, and compete against each other in a weekly game.
Their first season of Challenger Soccer ended on Oct. 30, with their last games unfortunately being rained out. The 30 total players were divided into 4 teams that played every Saturday morning beginning Sept. 11. There are 5 parents who volunteer their time as coaches, teaching the kids the fundamentals and supervising the games.
Special thanks goes to Rob Kelly (District Coordinator of Special Education, Maple Avenue) and John Hirliman (Administrative Director) and Wes Clark (Program Coordinator) at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department.
“They have been instrumental in helping to get this program off the ground,” said Paul Hebert, who heads the Challenger Soccer program.
Hebert also wants to acknowledge the efforts of the other coaches/parents and Rec. Department staff who assist every Saturday.
“We started this program to recognize the children, and also want to thank their parents and the folks of Saratoga,” added Hebert.
The community now gets to look forward to another fun season of Challenger Soccer next fall!
