Features

Charity Issue: A game for all

Zach Thomson, social media editor| November 30, 2022

SPENSA is a non-profit volunteer organization that gives people ages 5 to 21 with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to play in organized soccer games.

On Saturday mornings during the fall and spring, excitement fills the air at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park. With soccer balls being kicked from every direction, the players of the Special Needs Soccer Association (SPENSA) take the field.

SPENSA is a non-profit volunteer organization that gives people ages 5 to 21 with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to play in organized soccer games. The program gives players who traditionally have not had a place in the youth soccer system the opportunity to play on a team.

Janet Oberle, volunteer president of SPENSA, has been working with the organization for over 30 years. She first volunteered in high school when her soccer coach gave her the chance.

“I love soccer and [having] the opportunity to share it with others,” Oberle said. “I believe that kids, regardless of their ability status, [can] benefit from [being on] a team.”

According to Oberle, SPENSA uses soccer as a way to build a community within their players, coaches and volunteers. Jacob Marsalek, SPENSA soccer player, has been with the organization since he was 7 years old. This year will be his 20th year playing for the program. Marsalek said he loves the relationships he has made with people through the organization, but he was most appreciative of the connections he has made with volunteers.

“

[I love] how people volunteer every Saturday,” Marsalek said. “People take an hour out of their day to give [other] people the chance to be a part of something bigger.

— Jacob Marsalek

“[I love] how people volunteer every Saturday,” Marsalek said. “People take an hour out of their day to give [other] people the chance to be a part of something bigger.”

John Schneider, volunteer coach for SPENSA, has been a part of the organization for over 35 years. He describes SPENSA pitches as “the happiest soccer fields ever,” and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this program.

“The special needs participants, young adults and children do more for us than [us coaches] do for them,” Schneider said. “When I leave the [soccer games], I’m always thankful for being there.”

SPENSA not only creates opportunities for kids to play soccer, but allows everyone to be a part of one big community. After all, Schneider said the organization would not be here without the involvement of players, coaches, spectators and volunteers.

“I love being a part of a community, and I think there is so much joy [in SPENSA],” Oberle said. “It’s easy to volunteer and help other people with a thing that you love.”