Switchbacks Unified Team Host Hundreds of Special Olympics Athletes in Clinic
March 14, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC News Release
On Thursday March 9th, the Switchbacks and Weidner Field opened their doors to over 150 athletes between the ages of 6 and 16 to join them for an exclusive soccer clinic, run by the Switchbacks Unified Team and players and Coaches from the Switchbacks main roster.
Despite the chilly weather, hundreds of registered Special Olympics athletes turned out for the hour long clinic led by the Switchbacks FC coaching staff and several players. The athletes, ranging in age from 6 to 16, rotated through a series of drills and obstacles created by the volunteers that targeted different elements of play. Shooting drills, running skills, and some fun light hearted competition kept everyone moving and motivated.
The Switchbacks Unified Team, the first of its kind in the USL Championship, is made up of registered Special Olympics athletes aged 16 and up, as well as several peer partners. They have weekly practices and travel across the country competing against other Unified Teams from the MLS and USL Leagues 1 and 2. Their goal, other than an undefeated season of course, is to spread advocacy and awareness on Special Olympics athletes and the Unified Program to other teams across our league and beyond.
Tryouts for the Unified Team for the 2023 season took place immediately following the clinic, and the team had a great turnout with nearly 50 athletes working for a spot on the roster. Results from those tryouts should be posted in the next few weeks, and the team will jump right into training for their first match of the year.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 14, 2023
- Vargish's View: Switchbacks Look to El Paso for Season Opener - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Rock & Brews at Cal Expo Named Republic FC's Official Pre- and Post-Match Destination - Sacramento Republic FC
- Riverhounds Add Defender Trevor Zwetsloot - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Legion FC Bringing Changes to Protective Stadium After Long Lines, Concessions Shortages - Birmingham Legion FC
- Prince Saydee Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Hartford Athletic
- Republic FC Forward Russell Cicerone Named to USL Championship Team of the Week Bench - Sacramento Republic FC
- Jackson Simba Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - San Diego Loyal
- San Antonio FC's Lamar Batista, PC Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - San Antonio FC
- Yannik Oettl Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Indy Eleven
- Monterey Bay F.C.'s Alex Dixon claims Player of the Week after first hat trick in career, club history - USL
- Switchbacks Unified Team Host Hundreds of Special Olympics Athletes in Clinic - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Dixon Named USLC Player of the Week - Monterey Bay FC
- Know Your Opponent: Charleston Battery - Sacramento Republic FC
- Nine Republic FC Academy Players Invited to Spring 2023 YNT ID Center - Sacramento Republic FC
- Switchbacks Entertainment Presents: Five Finger Death Punch at Weidner Field - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Orange County SC Sign Goalkeeper Cody Cropper for 2023 - Orange County SC
- New Mexico United Announces Signing of Kyle Colonna - New Mexico United
- U.S. Men's National Team to Face Mexico at State Farm Arena on April 19 - Phoenix Rising FC
- Castaneda Set to Join MSV Duisburg - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- United Soccer League Announces Partnership with Tequila Corralejo - USL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Stories
- Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Fall on the Road in San Antonio FC
- Switchbacks Captain Matt Mahoney Named to Team of the Week for Week 2
- Switchbacks FC Player Jairo Henriquez Called up for International Play
- Colorado Springs Switchbacks Suffer Defeat Against Detroit City FC
- Despite Strong Play, Switchbacks Fall in First Road Match of Season