www.ampsoccer.org
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www.ampsoccer.org |
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Who We Are, What We're AboutThe American Amputee Soccer Association is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and is the governing body for Amputee Soccer in the United States. The Association is solely responsible for training and fielding a team to represent the United States in International play.The Association is a full voting member of the World Amputee Football Federation and is subject to its global rules and regualtions for the game. We've got two primary missions: 1: To promote social interactivity, self-esteem and self-confidence among adult men and women, and especially among veterans, new and youthful amputees through recreational and competitive amputee soccer programs, and2: To identify, develop, and train athletes to represent the United States in elite International amputee soccer competition, and in Paralympic competition when the sport achieves that status. The Association is managed by Board of Directors drawn from both veteran players and from the corporte world. All are volunteers. None receive compensation for serving. The American Amputee Soccer Association is funded entirely by private donations. We receive no funding from any government agency or national disability sports organization.
How It All Started The game was invented here in the United States. It's now played in more than 30 countries around the world and presents its own World Cup Tournament. Twelve elite teams will compete in Russia this Fall to become recognized as the best amputee soccer team in the world.Myth and Legend says that back in the old days, circa 1980, an amputee named Don Bennett was watching his son practice basketball at his home in Seattle, Washington, USA. Sometimes the ball would escape and roll towards him. Don simply raised up on his crutches and kicked the ball back. He said it dawned on him that if he could kick a basketball on crutches he could kick a soccer ball on crutches. It was a deceptively simple beginning to what's become a world-wide recreational and competitive sport. As you might expect, the game caught on in Europe pretty quickly. The game spread primarily where soccer - football to them - is a national priority. But it seemed to languish in the US where soccer doesn't yet have quite the same passionate following as in other parts of the world. American teams were located primarily in the Seattle, Los Angeles and Philadelphia areas, with the All-Stars representing the US in international competitions, including five World Cups. Since the American game doesn't have the benefit of disability organization or government agency support - as many of our European and African friends do - team members paid their way to the competitions out of their own back pockets.
Supporting veterans, Spreading the word We've got veterans on the US National Team, and on our Board. So working with vets is a natural extension of what we do.We're working with military and children's hospitals and are conducting workshops and demonstrations across the country. We're spreading the word to let those in an "alternative configuration" know this is a real sport they can play in with minimal expense or previous experience. And they can play with others just like themselves at whatever level they can aspire to. And while our primary focus is helping establish local recreational programs and on helping form teams and leagues throughout the US, we're also very much involved in international play. Team USA is 2-0 in recent international play and expects an invitation from the World Amputee Football Federation to participate in the upcoming World Cup which will be played in Russia this Fall. We're in the middle of a fund raising effort right now to help prepare and send the US team to the World Cup. But whether the game is played for fun on local grass, or in the intense competition of televised World Cup action - there's JOY in the game. Wait till you see players celebrate a score doing high-fives with forearm crutches for the first time. You'll know what we mean. And the game is co-ed. And has been from the start. So whether you're one-legged or one-armed, male or female, young or "mature," competitive or recationally inclined - we have a place for you. Come Play With US!
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Unless otherwise noted, all text, images and video on this site are Copyright R. G. Hofmann and Ampsoccer.org. All rights reserved. For permission to reproduce these images Contact us. | ||||||||
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