Thank you for reaching out. Your contact form has been successfully submitted. We'll be in touch soon!

Blind Soccer Debuts in Miami

Posted February 28, 2024  Blind Soccer

More than 150 participants took part in the USA Blind Soccer – Kickoff for Inclusion event on February 24, hosted by the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) in collaboration with Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation. Attendees of all ages had the opportunity to meet athletes from the first-ever USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team, view a blind soccer demonstration, and…most importantly…try the sport of blind soccer for themselves.

“We’re so fortunate that we have dedicated people who are helping us build blind soccer across the country,” said USABA CEO Molly Quinn as she addressed the crowd. “This day is about us gaining awareness and educating you, our participants and spectators, and now our new fans. We know that when we get to LA 2028 and the Paralympics come on you’re going to watch. You’re going to say ‘Wow, back in 2024 I had the chance to meet some of the players on the USA Blind Soccer Team.’”

The occasion took place at the Soctainer facility in Little Havana and was part of the nationwide Building Blind Soccer initiative funded through U.S. Soccer’s Innovate to Grow grant to expand the sport at the grassroots level. Building Blind Soccer sites have already been established in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Columbus, Charlotte and Baltimore, with Miami the next to join the ranks.

“Across the country, our goal is to build these blind soccer sites,” added Quinn. “We have seven and we are looking forward to hosting the eighth right here in Miami.”

The Miami Lighthouse brought nearly 60 participants to the event to experience blind soccer firsthand, and the day before the event USABA presented blind soccer balls to Miami Lighthouse students in Pre-K through 2nd grade.

“With nearly 100,000 blind and visually impaired residents in Miami-Dade County, we’re grateful to USABA and USA Blind Soccer for their local partnership to help us create empowerment through sports and provide freedom to visually impaired athletes,” said Virginia Jacko, President & CEO of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

USA Blind Soccer athletes and coaches pose with members of the soccer teams from Barry University and Christopher Columbus High School after they helped run the blind soccer clinics in Miami on February 24, 2024.
USA Blind Soccer athletes and coaches pose with members of the soccer teams from Barry University and Christopher Columbus High School after they helped run the blind soccer clinics in Miami on February 24, 2024.

Helping lead the charge to launch Miami’s inaugural blind soccer program is Thomas A. Abraham, chairman of the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation and Team USA’s ambassador for blind soccer.

“This pioneering effort highlights our belief in the transformative power of sports to create opportunities, dismantle barriers and nurture inclusivity for the visually impaired,” Abraham said.

Assisting with the day’s demonstrations were coaches and players from the Barry University and Christopher Columbus High School soccer teams. Other organizations attending or volunteering for the event were Florida Power & Light, Barry University Student Government Association, international pop artist Romero Britto, City of Coral Gables, Dade County FC, Florida International University Athletics, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Next Era Energy, Northern Trust, Nova Southeastern University, Orange Bowl Committee, Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, The Children’s Movement of Florida and the University of Miami Soccer.


<