“THUMBS UP SOCCER”
A UNIQUE SOCCER PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
In Association With
THE MARKHAM SOCCER CLUB
When: Sundays, starting February 10/08 – April 27/08
Where: Mount Joy Community Centre (16th Ave, E of Hwy. 48)
For: Children between the ages of 5 – 18 years old who
have autism or are developmentally delayed
We have volunteer/mentors who work with your child on a one-to-one
basis. Your child will experience some basic soccer skills, exercise,
develop some co-ordination and HAVE FUN!
Please call: Susanne @ 905-472-2869 and leave a message
Email us @ info@markhamsoccer.org
If you wish to volunteer, soccer knowledge is not a requirement,
but caring and patience is!
Hours go toward community service!
Thumbs Up Soccer
The Thumbs Up Soccer program, the first of its kind in Ontario, provides mentally challenged young people the opportunity to play soccer.
- This programme is open to boys and girls (5-18 years) who can meet the Special Olympics participation criteria; and, others with disabilities who will be considered on an individual basis.
- Clinic format using individual mentors progressing to fun scrimmages through the season.
- Space is limited to 16 each session.
- Acceptance is based on MSC physician's approval.
- One hour sessions, once per week on Sundays, 3:00 pm, at the Mount Joy Soccer Centre.
- A parent/guardian/caregiver of the applicant must remain at the field during the entire time of the player's participation in the programme.
- The programme will run from Sunday, February 25 to Sunday, May 6, 2007 (except March 11 and Easter Sunday - April 8).
- Cost is $120.
- The medical information form must be completed, signed and submitted with the registration form.
- For more information, email Lynne McGarrigle, info@markhamsoccer.org or call Susanne Bagnarol at 905-472-2869.
Download the Thumbs Up Registration form.
Download the Thumbs Up Medical form.
Great Beginnings!
What a great start! It exceeded all expectations. The feedback from the athletes, parents and volunteers was 'awesome', as one child put it.
The success of the first session for the Thumbs Up project was clearly evident on the faces of the young soccer players as they donned their new uniforms and took to the field. These wide smiles were echoed on the faces of our mentors. It's still a question of who had the most fun, them or the kids.
This project, to provide mentally and physically challenged young people with the opportunity to play soccer, has been in the hearts of many for a number of years. With the instigation of Lynne McGarrigle and her undeniable dedication to the Markham Soccer Club, she has seen her dream come true, (one of many to come, I'm sure). The group is made up of children and young adults who may have never been given the opportunity to play soccer, and yet now with the help of many volunteers and committee members, all took to the field April 25, 1999. As a spectator, it was incredible, I couldn't help but get goosebumps and tingles on the back of my neck. Never have I witnessed such caring and giving adults appropriately assigned to each child and then bringing out the best in that child. The smiles on both the mentors and kids were indescribable.
It wasn't just the children who learned a thing or two. The youngsters dished out a few lessons of their own. Lesson #1 - never underestimate them. One of our mentors was quite definitely put in his place in the most diplomatic of fashions.
He was displaced form his position as goaltender when one of our young athletes told him that be was making it too easy for the players to score. The youngster promptly took over goaltending duties and made his teammates work harder to score. Good lesson!
Lynne McGarrigle & Colleen Dalgliesh
The 'Thumbs Up' Name
During the years that we've worked on this project, we were searching for a name for this division. We needed a name that would embody the spirit that Soccer is for Everyone.
We had many suggestions and some good efforts, but none were ever quite good enough. We tried cute, clever, and creative names but we rejected them all because they ended up being cliche.
One April morning in 1999, I was chatting with one of our younger members, Christopher Morrison. I asked Chris if he had enjoyed his first day at soccer.
Chris gave me a great big smile and said, "Lynne, for me a day with soccer is a thumbs-up day". This comment was underscored with the appropriate two handed gesture.
Later in the day around dinner time, I repeated this conversation to my husband and son. My son said to me, "Mom maybe you should listen to the little guy. It's simple, postive and upbeat."
It was later pointed out to me that it did seem appropriate as the thumbs-up and high-five gestures were very popular with the players and were used many times during the Sunday practice to express their pleasure and satisfaction.
The name has been well received by committe members and enthusiastically adopted by all.
Thanks Chris.
Lynne McGarrigle
Many Thanks To All
The Markham Soccer Club has been blessed throughout it's twenty-eight years with an amazingly strong and dedicated volunteer base.
Our volunteers are drawn to service for a myriad of reasons. Some are passionate about a sport referred to throughout much of the world as The Beautiful Game. Others are community minded individuals who are willing to give of their free time wherever it's most needed.
Whatever their reasons, we are grateful they chose our sport, our Club and our community. We acknowledge with thanks the contributions of so many who helped get this project up and running.
- Committee Chairman Frank Scarpitti
- Members of Council
- Committee Members:
- Dr. Larry Pancer
- Suzanne & Dulio Bagnarol
- Chris Shea
- Debbi Weber
- Technical Director Ed McBride
- OSA Resource/ Estelle Nichols
- Special Olympics Organization
- MSC's Board of Directors
Special mention also to our Club Equipment Manager, Paul Gardham, who rounded up all the uniforms and equipment. We deeply appreciate the generosity of our suppliers:
- JMT Metrosport
- Soccer & Rugby Supplies
- Alspo Athletics
Thanks to all the mentor / coaches who are helping to make this pilot project a success:
- Tom McGarrigle
- John Ciavarella
- Jan Petrou
- Karen Nageleisen
- Frank Sachse
- Don Hazelton
- Konrad Seeman
- Jessica Patchett
- Caroline Seeman
- Bernie Newman
If we missed anyone, we apologize in advance. The point is, it takes a whole team of people working together to produce a program like this. We'll say a special metnion to the parents and the wonderful young athletes who have also made this a positive experience for all.
Lynne McGarrigle
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