Rush Soccer seeks to develop not only players, but the community in which individual clubs exist. Last month, National Technical Director Matt Mittelstaedt and Maryland Rush supported their community by donating equipment for a Camp No Limits clinic.

The No Limits Foundation provides camps for children with limb loss, along with education, mentorship, and support to these children and their families. Camp No Limits is an extension of the Foundation, supporting the education of children and their families in the importance of physical and occupational therapy, adaptations, prosthetic options, and peer support.  

“The mission of the foundation is to use Camp No Limits camps to empower children with limb loss and give them access to a supportive community,” Lori Behrens, part of Camp No Limits Inspire Program, said. Lori’s son, Blake Behrens, had the idea to create a Camp No Limits soccer clinic.

“Blake decided to create an amputee soccer clinic to expose the campers to a sport that they could not only participate in, but one that was created specifically for them.

Blake had the idea for a sports clinic as part of Camp No Limits after being a camper for many years and deciding that he would like to share his passion for sports with younger campers who may not actively participate in sports due to their limb difference.  Blake decided to specifically focus on an amputee soccer clinic after meeting the head coach and players of the U.S. amputee soccer team. He participated in their national training camp in August in Chicago and used that experience to create the clinic. This year was the first year for an amputee soccer clinic at a Camp No Limits camp.

By having Rush Soccer donate equipment for the clinic, campers were able to not only learn about amputee soccer, but actively participate in the sport without any added financial burden to themselves or the foundation.  The equipment will be used again during the 2019 camp season.”

Camp No Limits camps are held in several locations across the country each year. Rush Soccer finds opportunities like this one important, in order to support those in the community in any way the Rush can.  

A list of all camp locations and dates for 2018 can be found here. More information about the United States amputee team can be found here.