The Wilmington Area Adapted Soccer Program recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of providing local athletes (ages 8 and up) with disabilities the opportunity to play organized sports with an emphasis on each athlete’s capabilities and desire to excel.

Growing from 18 athletes in 2006 to 40 athletes in 2015, the program is designed to provide an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of soccer in an encouraging and enjoyable environment, according to Kyle Lewis, superintendent of the Clinton County Board of DD.

A great partnership has existed for these 10 years between the adapted soccer program and the Bud Lewis-coached Wilmington College men’s soccer team, Kyle said. “Each season the college players conduct skills camps for the athletes during the month of April. In May, these skills are put to the test as the team hosts games with athletic teams from nearby counties. This year the WAASP team welcomed teams from Montgomery County and Miami County as well as the Wilmington High School girls.”

To register for the 2016 season or to serve as a volunteer, access the Nike Center website at co.Clinton.oh.us/boardofdd and click on the Friends of the Nike Center link.

The Wilmington Area Adapted Soccer Program, from left to right, front row, Brian Falgner, Tim Naylor, Lydia Polstra, James Hall, Matthew Petrey, Erik Powell, Steven Wood, and Nicholes Kaufman; middle row, Jon Arrington, Becca Brewer, Jakob Duffey, Debra Grooms, Josh Nakata, Jessica Polstra, Ethan Sturgill, Lydia Dell, Holly Spangler, Jenny Rocheleau, Brendon Sears, Jacob Teeters; back row, Raymond Bickel, Todd Bickel, Justin Grant, Jonathan Constant, Jimmy Rightmire, Ryan Polstra, Andy Sanderson, April Williams, Brian Bohnen, Brandon Stewart, Kristie Funk, Billie Joe Thompson, Ricky Walker, Jake Walker. WAASP players not present for the photograph were Michael Brady, Justin Lynch, Shane Pitman and Alex Reed.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2015/08/web1_WAASP-2015.jpgThe Wilmington Area Adapted Soccer Program, from left to right, front row, Brian Falgner, Tim Naylor, Lydia Polstra, James Hall, Matthew Petrey, Erik Powell, Steven Wood, and Nicholes Kaufman; middle row, Jon Arrington, Becca Brewer, Jakob Duffey, Debra Grooms, Josh Nakata, Jessica Polstra, Ethan Sturgill, Lydia Dell, Holly Spangler, Jenny Rocheleau, Brendon Sears, Jacob Teeters; back row, Raymond Bickel, Todd Bickel, Justin Grant, Jonathan Constant, Jimmy Rightmire, Ryan Polstra, Andy Sanderson, April Williams, Brian Bohnen, Brandon Stewart, Kristie Funk, Billie Joe Thompson, Ricky Walker, Jake Walker. WAASP players not present for the photograph were Michael Brady, Justin Lynch, Shane Pitman and Alex Reed. JP Photography