Global Down Syndrome Foundation launches Dare to Play Soccer Camp with Regis University, Colorado Rapids, Adidas, Kroenke Sports Charities

Now Accepting Applications for children with Down syndrome ages 8 and up

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Denver, CO (September 6, 2011) – The Global Down Syndrome Foundation announced the establishment of the “Dare to Play Soccer Camp” for children with Down syndrome ages 8 and up.  The camp, the first of its kind in Colorado, has a powerful group of supporting partners in Regis University, the Colorado Rapids Soccer Team, Adidas and Kroenke Sports Charities.   The camp runs for three weeks in September and culminates with the campers appearing during half-time at a Colorado Rapids home game against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Spearheaded by Tony McCall, head men’s soccer coach at Regis University, the Dare to Play Soccer Camp will feature members of the Regis University Soccer Team and professional athletes from the Colorado Rapids.  McCall explains, “Our goal is to give these children a wonderful soccer camp experience, instilling in them the love of the game, good sportsmanship, and helping them with coordination and stamina.”  McCall continues, “It also provides our Regis University soccer players a chance to befriend and learn from someone who has Down syndrome.”

Each camp participant will be paired with a Regis University soccer player and one player from the Colorado Rapids will be on hand to provide additional expertise, guidance and support during this unique three-week camp experience.

Michelle Sie Whitten, executive director of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, added:  “We are so grateful to our partners for believing in our children with Down syndrome.  The Dare to Play Soccer Camp is a great complement to our Dare to Play Football and Cheerleading Camps organized in partnership with Ed McCaffrey and Valor Christian High School.  By providing a fun, safe, and accepting environment for our children with Down syndrome we hope they are able to join mainstream soccer camps with more confidence or to continue on with this camp if they choose.”

The camp will be held for three weeks at Dick Sporting Goods Park :

  • Saturday, September 10, from 1:00-2:00pm
  • Saturday, September 17, from 1:00-2:00pm
  • Saturday, September 24, from 4:30-5:30pm.

On September 24, participants will attend the game between the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes. During halftime, they will take the field to show off their newfound soccer skills to the Rapids fans.

“We are thrilled to be part of such an important initiative,” said Brian Crookham, director of operations at Rapids Academy. “Our players are really committed to being part of the community and this initiative and each one will be paired with a camper with Down syndrome.  What a unique experience for our entire community.”

The camp has already attracted the attention of key sponsor Adidas, who will be providing uniforms for the Dare to Play soccer campers.

Registration cost is $100 per person. Partial and full scholarships are available. For more information about the Dare to Play Soccer camp, contact Trish Morris at 303-807-7898.

About the Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is a public non-profit 501(c)(3)  dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education and advocacy.  Formally established in 2009, the Foundation’s primary focus is to support the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the first academic home in the US committed to research and medical care for people with the condition. Fundraising and government advocacy that corrects the alarming disparity of national funding for people with Down syndrome is a major short-term goal.  The Foundation organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show – the single largest annual fundraiser benefitting people with Down syndrome.  Programmatically the Foundation organizes and funds many programs and conferences including the Dare to Play Football and Cheer Camps, Global Down Syndrome Educational Series, and Global Down Syndrome Multi-Language Resource Project.  The Foundation is an inclusive organization without political or religious affiliation or intention.

About Regis University

Regis University, with nearly 15,000 students, comprises Regis College, College for Professional Studies and Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions. The University is recognized by U. S. News & World Report as a Top School in the West and is one of 28 Catholic Jesuit colleges and universities throughout the United States. Regis University is located at 3333 Regis Blvd. at 50th and Lowell Streets in north Denver. In addition to its North Denver Lowell campus, the University has campus locations in Aurora, Colorado Springs, Interlocken at Broomfield, Denver Tech Center, Thornton (dual-language campus), Northern Colorado Campus (Loveland) and in Las Vegas, Nevada. For news releases, fact sheet, experts list or university highlights, visit the “Media Center” at www.regis.edu/media. For more information about Regis University visit www.regis.edu.