George Washington University Athletics
Women’s Soccer Set to Host Special Olympics Kickball Tournament
10/17/2018 11:24:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Colonials welcome Special Olympics to GW
WASHINGTON -- The George Washington women's soccer team is set to host the Special Olympics for a Kickball Tournament on Friday, October 19 at 10 a.m. at the GW Softball Field on the Mount Vernon Campus. The tournament is open to the public and admission is free of charge.
The Special Olympics program aims to empower and encourage members of the community who have disabilities to get active in sports in an environment of support, encouragement, and fun.
Spearheaded by team captain Megan McCormick, the women's soccer squad sees teaming up with the Special Olympics as a way to give back to the community and GW fans.
One of the Colonials' biggest fans is Jeremy Wayne, an active player on the Special Olympics basketball team who has attended almost every women's soccer home game for the past couple seasons.
"Jeremy continuously supports our team throughout the season," said McCormick. "Every year, our team makes it a priority to return the support for Jeremy and his teammates. This year, we were looking for an opportunity that would allow us to expand our role with Special Olympics and make a difference. The entire team is really looking forward to the tournament and we hope that we can make Unified Kickball an annual event!"
Partnering with McCormick is Aimee Craig, manager of The Special Olympics Youth Initiatives in D.C.
"There are limited opportunities here in D.C. and around the world for those with a disability to be included in this way, which puts them at a disadvantage," said Craig. "We are changing that with this event; it's a drop in the bucket, no matter how small. I can't wait to see our athletes interacting with the GW women's soccer team in a way that is natural and meaningful and will stick with them as a great memory into the future."
This year is particularly significant for the Special Olympics, as the organization is celebrating their 50-year anniversary by launching a five-year campaign titled the "Inclusion Revolution." The Inclusion Revolution aims to help end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities and to promote a more fully inclusive world.
"We hope that one day our athletes with intellectual disabilities will be accepted and included into the world with no second thought and that they will only be looked at for their abilities, not their disabilities," said Craig. "This revolution is just one of the tools in the Special Olympics tool kit to change the entire world through sport."
McCormick agrees that sports can be used as a driving force in the Inclusion Revolution.
"I've been an athlete my entire life, and sports has always been a place where I can express myself," said McCormick. "More importantly, soccer has always provided me with the opportunity to make meaningful friendships and memories, and I want others to be able to experience the impact that sports can have on every aspect of their lives. Playing sports and being a part of a community that is committed to making a difference and bringing others together has always brought me pure joy and I believe that everyone deserves to know that feeling."
The Special Olympics program aims to empower and encourage members of the community who have disabilities to get active in sports in an environment of support, encouragement, and fun.
Spearheaded by team captain Megan McCormick, the women's soccer squad sees teaming up with the Special Olympics as a way to give back to the community and GW fans.
One of the Colonials' biggest fans is Jeremy Wayne, an active player on the Special Olympics basketball team who has attended almost every women's soccer home game for the past couple seasons.
"Jeremy continuously supports our team throughout the season," said McCormick. "Every year, our team makes it a priority to return the support for Jeremy and his teammates. This year, we were looking for an opportunity that would allow us to expand our role with Special Olympics and make a difference. The entire team is really looking forward to the tournament and we hope that we can make Unified Kickball an annual event!"
Partnering with McCormick is Aimee Craig, manager of The Special Olympics Youth Initiatives in D.C.
"There are limited opportunities here in D.C. and around the world for those with a disability to be included in this way, which puts them at a disadvantage," said Craig. "We are changing that with this event; it's a drop in the bucket, no matter how small. I can't wait to see our athletes interacting with the GW women's soccer team in a way that is natural and meaningful and will stick with them as a great memory into the future."
This year is particularly significant for the Special Olympics, as the organization is celebrating their 50-year anniversary by launching a five-year campaign titled the "Inclusion Revolution." The Inclusion Revolution aims to help end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities and to promote a more fully inclusive world.
"We hope that one day our athletes with intellectual disabilities will be accepted and included into the world with no second thought and that they will only be looked at for their abilities, not their disabilities," said Craig. "This revolution is just one of the tools in the Special Olympics tool kit to change the entire world through sport."
McCormick agrees that sports can be used as a driving force in the Inclusion Revolution.
"I've been an athlete my entire life, and sports has always been a place where I can express myself," said McCormick. "More importantly, soccer has always provided me with the opportunity to make meaningful friendships and memories, and I want others to be able to experience the impact that sports can have on every aspect of their lives. Playing sports and being a part of a community that is committed to making a difference and bringing others together has always brought me pure joy and I believe that everyone deserves to know that feeling."
Players Mentioned
Defense
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