Soccer league provides common goal for parents and children with special needs

By Jesse Granger

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Costumed children dash across the turf and kick soccer balls into miniature nets inside Las Vegas Sportspark in Summerlin. Big grins stretch across their faces.

A princess dribbles the ball forward and passes it to a ninja turtle, who runs past a sheriff and kicks the ball just out of the reach of a tiny yellow minion and into the goal. All four congratulate each other and celebrate with laughter.

Such has become a weekly routine (albeit sans costumes when it’s not Halloween) for many children in Las Vegas with special needs.

Founded in 2011, Southern Nevada E-Soccer gives children with autism and other developmental disabilities a chance to play sports, fit in, exercise and have fun. The “E” stands for “exceptional and educational,” and the program’s goal is “for typical peer teammates and coaches to promote well-rounded individuals through regular activity, positive sportsmanship and social interaction.”

Heading the program is Batman himself. When it’s not Halloween, he goes by Cesar Hernandez.

Hernandez took over as director of E-Soccer in 2013 after volunteering at a similar program in San Francisco.

“A friend of mine asked me to volunteer,” Hernandez said. “At first, I was a little squeamish because I wasn’t used to working with kids at all, let alone kids with special needs, but I remember noticing how much it means to the parents.”

Hernandez helped kick-start the program in Las Vegas, and Kelly Clark, a local special needs teacher, ran it before handing it back to Hernandez. It has been a great success.

“I remember growing up playing soccer and having so much fun,” Hernandez said. “I know these kids can’t participate in regular leagues, so that’s part of why I’ve been committed to doing this, so they have soccer to look forward to.”

Participants range in age from 3 to 15, but the program accepts anyone up to 18. Between 75 and 100 kids typically play each Friday.

E-Soccer has two eight-week seasons — one in spring and one in fall — and is run entirely by volunteers. Some are parents who wanted to get more involved, others are high school students who wanted to help their community.

Ceci Martinez is one of the coaches and the mother of 8-year-old Bella. Martinez worked her way through nursing school as a single mother while volunteering at E-Soccer.

“Bella loves it,” Martinez said, “not only from the physical therapy point of view but for the social aspect as well. The kids get out to play, and sometimes — I’ve seen it too often — they don’t really interact at school.”

Bella has been in the program since its inception five years ago.

Dash Bartolo, a 7-year-old with nonverbal autism, is in his third year of E-Soccer and has grown tremendously through the experience.

“It’s incredible for him to be out here and run because I don’t feel like they ever get enough exercise,” said Dash’s mother, Kristen Bartolo. “He’s gotten to where he actually understands the whole concept of the game. He understands it’s supposed to go in the goal.”

Each weekly session lasts a little over an hour, with 30 minutes of drills, a 20-minute scrimmage and a snack break.

“I like the drills,” said Garrett White, an 11-year-old playing his first season of E-Soccer. “My favorite one is when we choose a partner and kick it back and forth to each other. But the best part is hanging out with new friends.”

While the program is centered on children with special needs, peers help them learn the game. One of the more outspoken helpers is 11-year-old Sammy Aguirre.

“What I like best about soccer is it’s not just about being an individual player,” Aguirre said. “It’s about having teammates and playing with everyone on your team to achieve your goal.”

The program also receives occasional surprise visits from the Las Vegas Legends, the valley’s professional indoor soccer team. Players stop by to take pictures with the children and help them sharpen their soccer skills.

“So many people benefit, myself included,” Hernandez said. “It has changed me, to be honest.”

Most of all, E-Soccer benefits the children.

“The kids grow in confidence and excitement,” Hernandez said. “And I hear parents tell me about how their kids can’t wait for it to start. Now their Christmas wish lists are soccer cleats and shorts and gloves.”

Jesse Granger can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Jesse on Twitter at twitter.com/JesseGranger_.