Soccer

Soccer is played during the Aukake Classic season (June – August) for Special Olympics Hawaii. Athletes compete in Soccer events at Regional (Oahu-wide) or Area competitions to qualify for the Aukake Classic in August.

In the SOHI program soccer is played with 5 players actively playing for each team and is called 5-a-side soccer. Basic soccer rules still apply with some variations on how the ball is brought back into the game after going out of bounds and off-sided rules.

Playing soccer requires very little equipment. Because it is easy to learn, soccer is appropriate for a wide range of age and ability levels. Athletes who participate in soccer are able to improve their overall physical fitness through training and competition. Because it is a team sport, athletes learn first hand the benefits of playing as a team. This promotes communication, camaraderie and friendships.

Special Olympics Hawaii 5-a-side soccer is played as a traditional sport, as a Unified® sport (3 athletes and 2 Special Partners on the field) and also offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic Soccer skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team competition. These skills include dribbling, passing, ball control, and shooting.

As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes and teams are placed in divisions according to ability, age and gender.