SoccerLocal Practice Info

Soccer competition for 2010 is complete.

Soccer practice will begin again in August 2011.

We are currently seeking athletes interested in participating in our 2011 Spring Games.

If you are interested in participating in soccer for next year or would like more information please Contact Us.

You can also view the information below, beginning with the History of the sport, all of which is available from the Soccer resource section on the SONC website.

Special Notes

  1. All athletes must have an updated participation form on file in our office and at the SONC state office BEFORE they can begin ANY practice.
  2. All athletes who hope to advance to state games MUST attend a soccer qualifier.
  3. Athletes MUST be able to travel and stay with the delegation without parents.
  4. Also, while all athletes interested in soccer are welcome to train and participate in local events, not all athletes will be selected to attend the state games.

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The information below is taken directly from the documents available from the Soccer resource section on the SONC website.

History

Soccer has emerged as one of the most advanced and fastest growing sports in the Special Olympics North Carolina program. Soccer has grown from a demonstration sport with two teams at the 1984 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games, to 32 teams at 2007 SONC Fall Games.

Events Offered

SONC offers two types of soccer competition: individual skills and 5-on5 team.

Individual skills competition allows Special Olympics athletes to develop sports skills in a competitive format. This event is designed to serve as a stepping stone for athletes to become a member of a team as they master skills and learn team concepts. The individual skills offered for soccer are dribbling, shooting, and run-kick.

Athletes participating in traditional team competition learn the fundamental skills of soccer, appropriate social behavior and functional knowledge or rules enabling them to successfully participate in a game. 5-on5 team competition is played on a modified soccer field with a traditional court with a traditional indoor leather volleyball.

Competition Opportunities

Triangle United Soccer Association and Catawba Valley Soccer Association Clinics are offered to SONC athletes and features skills stations run by the members and coaches of the soccer associations and held in early September.  To register for either of these clinics, contact Beth Brooker.

Divisional Qualifiers are designed to division teams for the state-level event. Attendance and participation in a qualifier is mandatory for athletes and teams in order to advance to state-level competition.

SONC Fall Tournament is held in High Point the first weekend in November.

Rules & Resources

Please see the Special Olympics of North Carolina Soccer Page for a full list of current rules and resources.