01907 Fall 2018 V2

More documents

Recommendations

Info

the wild ROVERS Unique soccer program has a common goal: Have fun North Shore Rovers volunteer Joseph Varghese of Swampscott gets a hug from Joey Demakes during a break from soccer. PHOTOS: SPENSER HASAK
BY ANNE MARIE TOBIN For many, Sundays are a day of rest. Not so for Swampscott residents Gail and Jack Steele, who at nearly the crack of dawn are at Salem's McGrath Park fields, where more than 100 youngsters with disabilities and 125 volunteers eagerly await a morning of soccer. The North Shore Rovers program was founded by the Steeles and their three children — Jackson, Eliza and Dylan — in 2011. The free fall program offers soccer for those age 3-21 with intellectual and physical disabilities. "It all started when my oldest son, Jackson, volunteered with Special Olympics when he was in middle school," said Gail Steele. "My husband and I both love soccer; we both played the game and our kids play." The couple approached Special Olympics about running a soccer program, and worked through that organization for two years before branching out on their own as a nonprofit organization. It's all about having fun, Gail Steele said. Jack Steele credits their children for helping to get the program off and running. "Jackson simply got three of his friends to help, who then got three more friends, and it took off from there. And it was kind of the same with Dylan. And Eliza was also a very good player and she knew sign language, so she was great working with the non-verbal kids." Jack Steele said soccer is a natural fit for kids with special needs. "Soccer is a great starter sport. You don't need a lot of equipment to play and it's not that technical at this level," he said. "Everyone is capable of kicking a ball. These kids don't fit into a regular town program and here they can play at their own speed, while still having the experience of being on a team. Most of the kids have never been on a team before, most of them have never won a trophy, so they are truly getting an experience that would not otherwise be available." Every Rovers player is paired with the same volunteer for the entire season to maximize the one-on-one learning experience. Volunteers come from area high schools. On this season's opening day, Swampscott High School juniors Anna Levenburg and Lola Seligson were hard at work helping Swampscott player Lily Simons, a sixth-grader, with her ball skills. Lily, a spunky player with a great sense of humor, said, "I like to be sneaky and make sure the girls win. Girls are better than boys, and the most fun is stealing the ball from them so they don't win. We have girl power, too." Lynette Simons said her daughter has been playing with the Rovers for five or six years. Claire Fazio, top, of Marblehead goes to kick a soccer ball during North Shore Rovers practice. Rori Carson, 7, of Beverly runs up to volunteer Terry Rhoads of Swampscott to give her a high-five during the North Shore Rovers practice. The North Shore Rovers, age 7-10 group, let out a cheer following practice. FALL <strong>2018</strong> | 19
Page 1: When Swampscott was a resort ● Th
Page 4 and 5: A publication of Essex Media Group
Page 6 and 7: 04 | 01907 WHAT'S UP Serving up sle
Page 8 and 9: Welcome to the hotels Swampscott Wh
Page 10 and 11: Blocksidge: more than a field Town
Page 12 and 13: STYLE FASHION FORWARD FALL BY BELLA
Page 14 and 15: HOUSE MONEY PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOST
Page 16 and 17: Fresh * Timeless * Luxe Interior De
Page 18 and 19: You don't need a golden ticket to v
Page 22 and 23: Raina’s Hair Color Studio by the
Page 24 and 25: Not your BY BELLA diGRAZIA PHOTOS B
Page 26 and 27: " I want to investigate the express
Page 28 and 29: 26 | 01907 design a building that w
Page 30 and 31: HOTELS, continued from page 7 “A
Page 32 and 33: 30 | 01907 The house where a religi
Page 34: Sales: (855) 418-3917 Service: (781

01907 Fall 2018 V2

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?