December 10, 2006
Bring the family to see the USA national team for power wheelchair soccer in an intensive training camp and exhibition January 4 through 6 at the UNLV McDermott Complex South Gymnasium.

Power soccer is an action-packed team sport that combines the skill of the wheelchair user with the speed and power of the chair itself to create a challenging game very similar to soccer. It is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for power wheelchair users.

Twelve power soccer athletes from across the country will be visiting Las Vegas to train for the inaugural Power Soccer World Cup to be held in Japan next October and to build local support for the sport. Camp will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with the exhibition game scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Coaches and team members will meet and greet the public and provide information about power soccer. There will be no admission charge. The gymnasium is located on East Harmon Avenue east of Swenson Street.

National team members are male and female athletes ranging from 16 to 55 years of age, and have such disabilities as arthrogryposis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and polio. Between January and October, they will train intensively together and become ambassadors for power soccer. Training camps and exhibitions are planned for Newark, California, Indianapolis, Indiana and Atlanta, Georgia. All camps and exhibitions will be open to the public.

The city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services Adaptive Recreation Division offers power soccer practice sessions for residents age 5 and older on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John C. Fremont Middle School Gymnasium at 1100 East St. Louis Avenue. Coed participants use electric wheelchairs with foot pegs (no scooters). The remaining equipment is provided. There is no charge to participants.

The January event is sponsored by the city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services Adaptive Recreation Division, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the U.S. Power Soccer Association. For more information on power soccer in Las Vegas, call (702) 229-4796. For more information on the U.S. Power Soccer Association and national team sponsorship, go online to www.powersoccerUSA.net or call (813) 679-2570.