Children Learn Soccer with a Little Help From a Friend

Andy Ginsburg, the vice president of recreation for the Aberdeen Matawan Soccer Club (AMSC), knelt on the field and reminded a young player how to properly kick a soccerball.

"You need to use the inside of your foot, right here," Ginsburg told the player as he tapped that part of the boy's shoe with his hand.

Three years ago, Ginsburg started the Pheonix Division of the AMSC for players with special needs who require a little more attention and guidance to participate in sports. Local children volunteer as buddies and play alongside members of the Pheonix Division to help them master soccer skills.

He came up with the idea after reading an article in Sports Illustrated about a challenger's buddy baseball program where typical players took turns assisting special needs players by participating in the game with them. Now the soccer team meets every Saturday during the fall, and does a series of drills and games to help build their skills.

Ginsburg said he wishes that a program like this existed when his boys were younger, since the 12-year-old twins quit playing soccer at age 6.

"They needed something with a little more direction," Ginsburg said."I don't think they felt like they could really compete with the other players."

The volunteer soccer buddies are local children ranging from 9 to 18 years old and have completed Melinda Jennis' Pathways for Exceptional Children training, according to Kim Radvanski, the director of outreach for the AMSC.

Ginsburg credits the volunteers for their kindness and patience, and also for getting the program off of the ground.

"I'm like a proud father when I see what they accomplish," Ginsburg said of his four graduating seniors. "Anything we dreamt up, they made a reality."

They did some dreaming themselves, however. Nichole Walling and Ashley Conroy, both seniors at Matawan Regional High School, felt that just the soccer program was not enough. Last winter they began the Winter Pheonix Fun Program, where buddies and participants get together during the winter months for arts and crafts, dancing and music.

Walling said she enjoys helping the children and watching them grow.

"The kids' reactions to being able to do something is just great," Conroy added.

Susan Bernardin's daughter, Sophie, is was a participant in the winter program and is a player in the Pheonix Division. Sophie has formed a strong connection with her buddy Emily Teubner, who she met during the winter. Bernardin said that throughout the week, Sophie asks her if she will get to play soccer with Emily over the weekend and is always happy to hear she will get to see her friend.

"This is a really great program," Bernardin said. "The kids who are buddies, they have such patience and are so good with the players."

Emily's father, John Teubner, said Emily gets just as excited to see Sophie and is sad to see the season come to an end.

"She's always liked cheering people on and helping people," Teubner said, recalling that when Emily played soccer in a typical league she always cheered for whoever scored - even if they were on the other team.

Ginsburg is happy to see such bonds form between players and buddies, he said, because it transfers beyond the field into their every day lives. The children talk to each other in school and the buddies are educated about special needs, which Ginsburg said teaches them to be more open minded and accepting and will ultimately help reduce bullying in schools.

Although this season has come to a close, the Pheonix Division will kick back into gear next fall. If you are interested in signing your child up to play or to become a buddy, you can send an email to questions@amsoccer.org.