The Land O’ Lakes Special Olympics soccer team recently traveled to Indianapolis to begin preparing for its appearance in the 2015 Special Olympics Summer World Games.
The soccer team claimed the gold at the Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games in May, and found out on July 21 that they would trek to represent Team USA at the games in Los Angeles.
The team competes in Division 2 soccer, with seven athletes on each side of the ball. It is a unified team, meaning there are four Special Olympics athletes playing along with three partners, who are there to provide help and support.
The Land O’ Lakes team will join thousands of Special Olympics athletes from 170 nations to compete for international medals. The games include 21 Olympic-style sports.
To help prepare for the competition, the team headed to Indianapolis in early October to begin training for the games, and to get a feel for what the schedule will be like in Los Angeles, said Vicky King, the team’s coach. The training camp in Indianapolis included 352 athletes and 96 coaches from across the United States.
While there, the team received Team USA gear from Finish Line, practiced their soccer skills, scrimmaged against other teams, toured the NCAA Hall of Fame, attended the Circle City Parade and the Circle City Classic football game, and visited the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The World Games are scheduled from July 25 to Aug. 2.
While the team is gearing up for the competition, it’s also involved in fundraising efforts. There will be a Champions Breakfast Nov. 7 at the Academy of Culinary Arts building at Land O’ Lakes High School to raise money to support the team’s trip to the World Games. No tickets are available for this week’s fundraiser breakfast, but efforts are ongoing to raise the $35,000 the team needs to make the trip to Los Angeles, King said.
Anyone who has any questions can email King at .
Anyone who wishes to contribute can send a check payable to Special Olympics Pasco, attention Vicky King, Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638.
Published November 5, 2014
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