Wall Rec, Special Olympics team up for soccer players

The Wall Township Recreation Department will be working with Special Olympics New Jersey to kick a goal this fall as the groups implement a Wall Township Olympic Soccer Team.

Wall Township is currently seeking local boys and girls, ages 8 and above, who are considered to have special needs, said Wall Township Recreation Coordinator Ed Grill. Participants will actively take part on an official Olympic Soccer Team which will compete for gold in the 2008 Fall Games.

Practices will be held in Wall Township while all games will take place in West Windsor every Saturday starting Sept. 13 and running through Oct. 18. There will also be a Fall Sports Festival at the Special Olympics New Jersey Sports Complex in Lawrenceville on Oct. 26 at the end of the competitive play season commending all athletes.

Mr. Grill encourages any local residents who may be interested in participating on the soccer team to register for this wonderful opportunity to be part of an Olympic team.

Registration forms are available through the Wall Recreation Department outlining all information in full detail. A medical form which is good for three years is required for all athletes which also can be picked up at the Recreation Department office in the Wall municipal building, 2700 Allaire Road. This entire program is free of charge to all participating athletes.

Volunteers are also wanted to help out in a variety of areas which include coaching, transportation, donations and many more, said Mr. Grill. "All help is much appreciated," he added.

"We are so excited to be offering this wonderful program to all of our future Olympic Athletes. The benefits that they will receive are wonderful and it’s such a pleasure to work together with Special Olympics New Jersey to offer this great opportunity to all of our participants," Mr. Grill stated.

"Without the assistance from Kathy Martone in the Rec Department and most of all Special Olympics New Jersey, this program would not have been developed in Wall Township," said the recreation coordinator. "Support from Township Administrator Joseph Verruni, his staff, Director of Community Services Bill Schroeter, and the Township Committee was also a pleasure to have," Mr. Grill further stated.

Special Olympics New Jersey provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.

Practices will be held in Wall on the Munchkin Municipal Soccer Field every Friday and Sunday starting Aug. 22. Friday practices are from 6 to7:30 p.m. and Sundays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. There will not be practice on Oct. 10 and 12.

For more information, please contact Mr. Grill at the Wall Township Recreation Department at 732-449-8444 ext. 251 or visit them online at www.wallnj.com, where more details and registration forms may be obtained.