Inclusive soccer program kicks off to great acclaim
New 'Buddy' league plays on Saturdays at Ticetown Fields
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Clockwise from top: Megan Johnson, 11, of Old Bridge, works with Dylan Leonardo Saturday at Ticetown Fields. Melissa Batt and Holly Junice, both 12, of Old Bridge, watch as Eric Cavill, 4, of Perth Amboy, kicks a giant soccer ball into the net. Kelly Sciora (l), 12, of Matawan, and Caitlin Meindl (r), 12, of Old Bridge, work with Chloe Hahn on soccer skills. The three are participants in the "Just 4 Kixs" program, started this year by Old Bridge parents.

OLD BRIDGE - There is a new team in town, and each and every member is a star player.

The "Just 4 Kixs" soccer program matches special-needs children ages 4 through 8 with volunteer buddies who guide them on the field. Founded by Karen Medeiros, the program is helping kids reach their goals in more ways than one.

"The kids are all the same, they're all one," Medeiros said. "No one is treated differently. We're not setting them up for a loss, we're setting them to achieve."

For an hour each Saturday at the Ticetown Fields, 26 children and 35 teenage volunteers, along with parents and coaches, come together to learn, teach and just get their kicks. Medeiros said it helps the specialneeds children in countless ways.

Aside from learning to follow directions and reach goals, the kids pick up social skills, speech and language, and gross motor skills, she said. Their participation also helps boost the youngsters' self-esteem, according to Medeiros.

After coaching 4-year-olds in soccer last spring, Medeiros got the idea to start the program.

"Two of my kids are challenged, and it was really tough with parents that didn't get it," Medeiros said. "You can stand there and feel the eyes on you when your kid tantrums. We wanted to give these children a chance to play a sport in a nonjudgmental environment."

Though Medeiros saw that East Brunswick, Freehold and Marlboro all had sports programs for children with special needs, Old Bridge did not offer one. She decided it was time to change that.

Enlisting the help of Carol Cavana, Medeiros solicited volunteers over the summer to act as buddies for the children on the team. Cavana contacted churches and high schools in the area to find the teens.

"It just spread by word-ofmouth after that," Cavana said. "Little by little, they started to come."

Though a large number of the buddies had no prior experience with special-needs children, parents helped to teach the volunteers necessary skills.

"They were a little nervous at first," Cavana said. "But they've come a long way."

Medeiros pointed out that the program is helpful to volunteers also, as it offers them valuable experience, community service hours and a sense of satisfaction as they watch the children grow.

Many of the children on the team have autism, Asperger's syndrome, Down syndrome, speech delay, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 22q deletion syndrome, or are developmentally delayed, Medeiros said.

"I wanted to have a team that's inclusive," Medeiros said.

To that end, Medeiros integrated nine children who are not developmentally delayed or disabled. Siblings of some of the youngsters have joined the team, in order to serve as role models for the children. Since children tend to mimic other children, including these kids on the team helps the ones with special needs to learn various skills, according to Medeiros.

"Kids learn from other kids, and I see these kids improving little by little each week and having lots of fun," Medeiros said. "The children have empathy for each other."

All three of Medeiros' 5-year-old triplets are on the team. Simon provides teaching and encouragement for his brothers, Maxwell and Nicholas, she said. Medeiros also has a 7-year-old, Zachary.

"My son Maxwell is autistic and he prefers to walk the white line of the soccer field, but with the help of his buddies, he is participating in our activity with prompting and guidance," Medeiros said. "He is here to play and learn, not to stand on the white line. I want him to follow onestep commands and count when we are doing exercises, or doing our team cheer."

To enhance the children's learning experience, special features of play are integrated into the program. As children pass the ball to another player, they call out the name of the child to whom they are passing. Rewards are given for making a goal, and counting and learning the team cheer add more value to the activities.

After 30 minutes of instructional play, the kids are treated to a fun alternative. Super-size 36-inch soccer balls are brought onto the field for the team to play with. According to Medeiros, such large-size balls are often used for sensory issues during physical therapy for the children.

The program began in early September and will end Nov. 10.

"Just 4 Kixs" will continue this spring, and future buddies and players are being sought. Coaches are also needed. Interested parties should contact Carol Cavana at (732) 583-3276 or Karen Medeiros at (732) 580-1910. Buddies receive 10 hours of community service credit for their volunteer work.