Special Needs Soccer Program
In 2004 St Ives Soccer began a sports program that reached beyond the traditional competitive games to offer children who could not participate in the structured programs the chance to get involved in sport. Aimed at children with autistic spectrum disorder and down syndrome, this program was a tremendous success.
A set of rules has been developed to provide one-on-one guidance to the participants as they play. Each player will be allowed to have a chaperone on the field to assist and direct the player. It is hoped that once familiar with the play the player will become less dependent on the chaperone until able to play independently.
Players wishing to register use the same registration forms as other players and choose "Special Needs" rather than their particular age group.
For more information contact David Howard dwhoward@optusnet.com.au or call 9402-5317
A NZ TV program did a small piece on the program. You can see it on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni1GZdCzFpw
Rules for Special Soccer
The Outreach
soccer program is designed to have children enjoy themselves, participate and
enjoy the benefits of
participating in a team sport environment.. The program will
parallel or simulate a match played between two junior teams.
Following are
rules specific for outreach Soccer. Where these rules are silent, the approved
Ku-Ring-gai District Soccer Association (KDSA) rules for U6 and U7 teams shall
apply.
Definitions
Player:
a child participating in the program
Chaperone:
a person who shall accompany a player whilst on the field to assist and
support the child.
Coach:
a person on the field
supervising the
match holding either
A)
Level 1
qualified soccer coach or appropriate higher qualification or
B)
Australian Sports Commission Disability Education Program "Inclusive Coaching"
or higher qualification
Program
Coordinator: a person at the ground observing
and overseeing coaches at the grounds holding both
A)
level
1 qualified soccer coach or appropriate higher qualification or
B)
Australian Sports Commission Disability Education Program "Inclusive Coaching"
or higher qualification
Administration
·
Processes shall be in place to ensure that each match is assigned a Program
Coordinator
·
Grounds are to be checked prior to commencement of any game
Participants/Players
·
Players shall be children with
autism spectrum disorder or
down syndrome disability aged between 4 years six months and 13
· Players require parental/guardian approval and when registering the parent/guardian confirms there is no medical conditions that would prevent the child playing.
·
Parents/guardians are required to confirm that they know of no physical
condition that would prevent the child playing as well as undertaking to inform
the club should they become aware of such condition.
Safety Gear/uniform
·
All
players are required to wear shin pads
·
All
players will be encouraged to wear a full team kit or other uniform to identify
teams
Chaperone
·
Each
player will be allowed a maximum of one chaperone on the field at any one time
·
Chaperones are to passively participate. In particular they are not to impede or
hinder other players
Parent/Guardian/spectators
·
At
least one parent/guardian must be at the ground with the child. This may be
either as a spectator or chaperone.
·
All
spectators are to adhere to the KDSA code of conduct
·
Must
not intrude on the field except at the direction of the referee or coach.
Duration of Sessions/games
·
Number of Players
·
Team
size may vary
·
A
maximum of 6 players allowed on the field at one time
·
There
is no limit on the number of reserves or how often replacements may take the
field
Penalties
·
Players should be directed from the field if aggression is displayed, no other
penalties will be attached to a players action
·
Chaperones may incur penalties for breaching guidelines, in keeping with the
spirit of fun these can include such things as bringing oranges next week,
washing team uniforms etc
Play
·
Similar to U6-U7 junior soccer except a chaperone will be allowed on the field.
·
A
chaperone may lead, instruct or otherwise encourage the player they are
chaperoning
·
A
chaperone must not impede or hinder other players from taking or retaining
possession of the ball
·
A
chaperone will be allowed to stop the ball but not propel the ball.
·
The
chaperone may only stop the ball when within contact of their player eg holding
hands.
·
The
chaperone may not stop the ball in the goal area particularly they must not act
to prevent a goal.
·
The
coach may at their discretion direct a throw-in to a particular player (eg one
who has had little contact with the ball).
·
The
coach may, at their discretion, ask other players and chaperones to "hold back"
whilst an individual player is given the opportunity to make contact with the
ball.
·
The
coach may, at their discretion, halt play to give instruction, guidance or
assistance to any player.
·
The
coach may call "play on" at any time even though the preceding action was not in
keeping with the current U6-U7 rules. In particular, this will be encouraged
where a throw-in or place kick hasn't precisely met requirements.
·
Throw-ins can be taken by chaperones.
·
No
heading of the ball
Limiting Players of Greater Ability
Where a player
displays a dominance of the game to the extent that it prevents others making
contact with the ball that player may be limited at the discretion of the coach.
Limiting can take the form of
o
allowing the coach or other suitable adult to propel the ball away from the
player or the goal
o
limiting the player to one half of the field for a given period
o
other
suitable actions as determined by the coach/referee.