While youths with special needs look forward to High 5 Soccer offered in the spring and fall by the Glenmoore Eagle Youth Association (GEYA), the volunteer buddies who are paired with the players also benefit from the program.
"High 5 has changed my life in ways I could not even begin to explain," stated volunteer buddy Natalie Cherna in an essay titled "What High 5 Means to Me." "The players who come to High 5 are the bravest, strongest, most amazing children I have ever met. Each one has taught me to be a better person in their own special way," she continued.
High 5 Soccer, which allows youths with disabilities to enjoy the game of soccer at no cost, is in need of additional volunteer buddies for the upcoming season.
The fall season of High 5 Soccer will be held on Sundays, Sept. 8 through Nov. 3, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Fellowship Field No. 1, 241 Fellowship Road, Chester Springs. As part of the program, players (in red T-shirts), who range in age from 5 to 18, are paired with volunteer buddies (in blue T-shirts), who are predominately local high school and middle school students. Buddies may use the hours for their graduation project or community service hour requirements. College students and adults may also be buddies, but those age 18 and up must submit a background check.
Buddies are asked to participate in one training session before each season. This year's training will take place on Thursday Sept. 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Field pavilion
During the High 5 sessions, players and buddies do not actually play a full game of soccer. Rather, they take part in a series of soccer-related games, such as maneuvering a soccer ball through a series of cones and playing "Red Light, Green Light," during which they stop and go while kicking a soccer ball across the playing field.
High 5 also includes "Buddy Bowling," where the buddies act as human bowling pins that the players knock down with a giant soccer ball. Each session culminates in a High 5 tunnel in which the buddies form a tunnel and high-five the players as they run through. Each player also receives juice and a snack.
High 5 Soccer is led by coach Matt Wagner and his wife, Jenn Wagner, with help from other volunteer coaches. High 5 Soccer began in September 2012 and is based on U.S. Youth Soccer's TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) model, a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities.
"We are the first TOPSoccer league in Chester County and one of the largest in southeastern Pennsylvania," Jenn said, noting that High 5 Soccer was the idea of the GEYA Soccer board, whose members took part in TOPSoccer training. "Bill La Torre was the director for a few seasons, then asked Matt to take over. Our nephew George has autism and was the reason we got involved. "
Buddies are eligible to win a scholarship at the end of the soccer season based on an essay they write. The winner for the spring 2019 session of High 5 was Shea Jardine. "Not only do the players look forward to soccer, but so do us buddies. I am so excited for High 5 every single week in the spring and fall," she wrote in her essay. "I have worked with so many amazing players through my four years in High 5 and they have all taught me many valuable lessons. I have improved my patience, learned to be more appreciative and grateful for what I am lucky enough to have in life, and I have learned how important positivity and encouragement are."
For more information about the High 5 program or becoming a buddy, readers may contact Jenn at HIGH5@geyasoccer.org. More information about GEYA Soccer is available at http://www.geyasports.org and by searching for "GEYA Soccer & High 5 Soccer" on Facebook.
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