Novato Soccer Association Launches New Program for Children With Disabilities

For children with cerebral palsy, Downs and other handicaps, having a normal childhood is hard.

There are medications to take, plenty of doctor’s visits and the physical limitations that often leave them unable to participate in regular kid activities.

The Novato Youth Soccer Association wants to change with a new program called Soccer Kicks. The free program is open to any Novato child between the ages of 6 and 10 and consists of soccer clinics in a supportive, non-competitive environment.

“We just want to get the kids out there and moving with a soccer ball,” said Donald Army, a staffing coordinator for NYSA and a coach. “We want to give them a sense of being on a team and giving them something they can call their own.”

All sessions will be held at the Pleasant Valley Field in Novato and soccer uniforms will be provided free of charge. Meetings will be every Saturday for the months of September and October.

To enroll, call 415-895-8026 or email nysa.admin1@gmail.com. Registration continues until September 6. All participants will be required to attend a registration meeting, on Thursday, August 22.