High school students, in the School for the Blind, were invited to the SoccerHaus indoor facility, in Colorado Springs, for a fun event that showcased the United States Association for Blind Athletes (USABA) 5-a-side development team. The development team is preparing for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, CA. Students enjoyed learning about the sport, had the opportunity to watch the athletes practice, and then our students learned how to play.
Communication on the field was continuous as it allows the players to know where their teammates are and it helps keep play safe. During practice, the athletes were saying,"Voy", which we later learned means "I go” in Spanish. 5-a-side soccer originates from Spain and now, "Voy" is a key command in the sport.
Students also had an opportunity to get out onto the field and practice dribbling, trapping the ball, passing, and taking shots on goal. The soccer ball used in 5-a-side is filled with pellets, so the ball makes sound when it is rolling which helps athletes who are blind and visually impaired access the game. Our students did not practice with blindfolds on, however, blindfolds are a part of the uniforms and worn during play.
The USABA and SoccerHaus staff were enthusiastic while sharing their knowledge with our students. At the end of the event, there were a few students interested in learning more about becoming a Paralympic athlete whether that be 5-a-side soccer, goalball, judo or another sport. Thank you, SoccerHaus and USABA for a great experience!
