Soccer is a sport enjoyed around the world, but a new accessible version is growing. Amputee soccer follows many of the same rules as the original, but with a few differences. The field is smaller, teams have fewer players and, most notably, players use forearm crutches to balance, run and kick. The sport was created in Seattle in the 1980s as a way for amputee athletes to get out on the pitch. It’s been slowly gaining popularity since then, with teams and conferences across Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa. A clinic in Portland on Jan. 13 will allow prospective players to learn the basics of the game and test out their skills.
Thuy Williams helped organize the Portland clinic, and Katie Bondy is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer team. They join us to talk more about the sport and how prospective players can get involved.
Think Out Loud