In an exciting development for the community, a new youth soccer program tailored specifically for children with special needs ages 4 to 10 kicked off in Beaufort County this fall. This initiative is a collaborative partnership between SOAR Special Recreation, Beaufort County Public Schools, and Beaufort County Parks and Recreation.

The program started on Sunday, September 8, and will continue every Sunday for five more weeks at a local middle school. The league is designed to provide a nurturing and supportive environment where children can learn the fundamentals of soccer while fostering social skills and building friendships. Each 90-minute session will include various soccer stations designed to accommodate children with physical and cognitive impairments. A key component of the program is the one-on-one pairing of at least one volunteer with each child, ensuring that every participant receives personalized attention and support throughout the sessions. Each session culminates in a fun and engaging scrimmage, allowing children to showcase their skills in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.

Local citizen, Cheryl Rodriguez, championed the program to Beaufort County Parks and Recreation in hopes of building a long-term program for children with special needs. "Everyone deserves to be a part of a team, and for some of these children this is the first time they've been able to put on a uniform and have that experience," said Cheryl after the first session.

Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Shane Stager emphasized the community support for this program, stating, "It has been a honor for Beaufort County Parks and Recreation to contribute, even in a small way, to the realization of Cheryl’s vision. We take immense pride in being partners in this heartwarming program. Witnessing the joy on the faces of the children, parents, and volunteers every Sunday is truly the most rewarding experience."

Morgan Smith is the Director of Youth Programs for SOAR Special Recreation of the Low-country, and was essential to organizing the program. The program relies heavily on volunteers, many of which are students at Beaufort County Public Schools. Morgan states, "Volunteers like Cheryl are truly amazing, and we couldn’t do this without them. We’re so thankful for our partnership with Beaufort County Parks and Recreation, which helped make this Young Athletes program possible. At SOAR, even with our tiny but mighty team of three, we work hard to build programs, train coaches, and keep everything safe. But the real magic happens because of our volunteers and community partners, who give their time and heart to support these athletes. Seeing the smiles, the friendships, and the joy of being on a team—it's what makes everything we do worthwhile." 

While registration is closed for the current session, Beaufort County Parks and Recreation will look to partner with SOAR and Beaufort County Public Schools to provide additional programs in 2025.  For more information about how to get involved, please visit www.soarspecialrecreation.org or contact morgansmith.soar@gmail.com. Volunteers are also welcome and can make a significant impact by helping to support the children during the sessions.

To be placed on interest list for future programs, please email shane.stager@bcgov.net. For more information about Beaufort County Parks and Recreation, please visit www.bcscrec.com.