With the fall sports season underway, many new faces and games bring excitement to the study body, such as the new Special Education Soccer Club. This addition to LT’s club directory is led by sponsor and coach William Lanspeary, who hopes to begin in the next few weeks.

“The idea comes from a local program called AYSO VIP,” Lanspeary said. “It’s a branch of the regular AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) program designed for kids with disabilities. The hope is that it will give the students with disabilities another opportunity to be a part of an LT activity and connect with other students and the school.”

Both the boys and girls soccer teams have played a big role in the commitment and inclusion of the club’s 25 members through the AYSO VIP program. For 15-20 years, LT soccer players have been mentoring and teaching kids in the program. With the new addition of the club, the players can practice alongside members of the club.

“Each week we’re going to have one on one peer buddies dribble, pass, and shoot with the players,” Lanspeary said. “We’ll see how things go, but we’d like to try to work on some soccer skills and build toward having them scrimmage. The ultimate goal is that everyone gets outside, plays soccer for an hour, students connect with each other, and everyone has a good time.”

Many of these students are returning members from various other clubs and sports such as basketball and bowling in the winter, as well as track and field in the spring. This added connection strengthens bonds between both teams, and players through the added familiarity and environment of the club.

“I hope that the buddy system can help to create a bond between both soccer clubs,” LT soccer player Chris Foster ‘24 said. “I think the buddy system helps to give the special education club the support that they need and that they deserve.”

With hopes of meeting on five Tuesday evenings over the course of the season, club members will play for an hour after school as an exciting way for the club to start off.