{"id":14065,"date":"2012-07-24T23:59:36","date_gmt":"2012-07-25T03:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=14065"},"modified":"2012-07-26T08:50:10","modified_gmt":"2012-07-26T12:50:10","slug":"sounds-of-the-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=14065","title":{"rendered":"Sounds of the Game"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Liverpool Foundation instructor Eddie Sullivan chats with a student after a dribbling drill at The Perkins School for the Blind last week. (Photo: Kerri Santos)<\/p><\/div>\n

Photos: Kerri Santos<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

WATERTOWN, Mass. \u2013 They hear the chirping of the birds above them. They hear the whir of the cars on passing nearby on Beechwood Avenue.\u00a0The students hear lots of things –\u00a0including the \u201cfunny\u201d twinge of their instructors’ British accents.<\/p>\n

\u201cPartner up,\u201d shouts Liverpool FC Foundation instructor Rishi Jain. \u201cOnce you get to the ball, you\u2019ll be able to hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hear<\/em> the ball? It\u2019s a concept that may be foreign to most. But thanks to the help of six Liverpool FC Foundation instructors, school staff, and a collection of adapted soccer balls with a small rattle inside of them, the students at The Perkins School for the Blind are anxious to begin their introduction to the beautiful game.<\/p>\n

Once these students \u2013aged 14-20- are partnered with an instructor or staff member, Jain blows his whistle. \u00a0And before the wail of the whistle echoes off the nearby buildings, the excited giggles and laughs fill the field with excitement.<\/p>\n

Using verbal cues and the sighted guide technique – a technique in which the student places their hand on the instructor\u2019s arm and is physically guided around the field – the students are each led to one of the adapted balls. An instructor shakes the ball near the feet of the student. Knowing the ball is patiently waiting in front of them, the students prepare to take their first touch.<\/p>\n

For some, it\u2019s not just their first touch of the soccer\u00a0ball today. It\u2019s their first touch of the ball ever<\/em>.<\/p>\n

**<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Liverpool instructor Rishi Jain explains the parameters of the dribbling drill.<\/p><\/div>\n

The idea of bringing Liverpool instructors to the 180-year-old, nationally-acclaimed school can be traced all the way back to Anfield, where the club \u2013 one of the most storied in the world – plays its home matches in the English Premier League.<\/p>\n

As part of its community outreach program, Liverpool has created a number of programs for\u00a0those living with disabilities\u00a0\u2013 both young and old. And although they are not alone in doing so, they are one of the few EPL clubs that has placed a great deal of resources into its programs.<\/p>\n

One of them is the LFC Respect 4 All Centre, where children and adults of all ages come to play soccer \u2013 or \u201cfootball\u201d as it\u2019s called in England \u2013 in a leisurely, yet instructive environment.<\/p>\n

So\u00a0when\u00a0the\u00a0announcement was made in late March that Liverpool \u2013 which is owned by the same Fenway Sports Group that owns the Boston Red Sox – would play an exhibition match\u00a0at historic\u00a0Fenway Park (which sits less than 10 miles from the school), the decision to bring Liverpool Foundation instructors on campus was an easy one.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as we knew that the Henrys and the Red Sox Foundation had links to the Perkins School,\u201d said instructor Forbes Duff.\u00a0 \u201cThat helped us make the decision (to do it).\u201d<\/p>\n

**<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Liverpool instructor Eddie Sullivan stands by as a student dribbles with an adapted ball.<\/p><\/div>\n

It may be a totally novel experience to many of them \u2013 kicking around the soccer ball – but the students don\u2019t let\u00a0that get in the way. The smiles, the laughter, and the joy of dribbling these\u00a0rattling balls across the expanse of grass afforded to them all help to\u00a0overcome any anxiety about this\u00a0new sport.<\/p>\n

In one corner of the field, a tall teenage boy sporting an oversized t-shirt and jean\u00a0shorts\u00a0can\u2019t contain his delight. His smile\u00a0seems to get\u00a0bigger with every touch.<\/p>\n

Another student, with the help of Liverpool instructor Eddie Sullivan, momentarily loses the path of her ball. No worries. Sullivan guides her back to it, then picks it up, and rattles it in front of her right foot. She giggles and nods in approval before she puts her foot\u00a0into it\u00a0and dribbles along with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019re having a great time,\u201d Duff says as a dozen\u00a0students in front of him home their new-found skills. \u201cYou can see that they\u2019re all excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

And why shouldn\u2019t they be? Although some of them may not have known about Liverpool\u2019s rich history going into it, the drills, instructors, and the activities are making instant memories. Memories richer than any trophy celebration or championship parade.<\/p>\n

**<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The adapted soccer balls used during the drills.<\/p><\/div>\n

After the dribbling session concludes, the\u00a0students and instructors\u00a0journey back to a small set of picnic tents for water and sports drinks. It\u2019s hot out, with the temperature hovering around 90 degrees. And the thick blanket of humidity enveloping the school\u2019s 38-acre campus isn\u2019t making it any more comfortable.<\/p>\n

But the weather is a minor\u00a0hindrance. The students are chatting about the drills. \u201cThis\u2026is\u2026so…fun!\u201d one of them explains, his voice rising with each successive word. Another student talks about how \u201cawesome\u201d the adapted balls are. Another is trying to imitate the \u201cfunny\u201d British accent of his instructor, who shares a chuckle nearby.<\/p>\n

Amid the early-afternoon banter, Forbes brings over one of the balls. Its outward appearance wouldn\u2019t suggest anything more than an ordinary, size 4 soccer ball. But once shaken, the small\u00a0rattle inside of it betrays its appearance.<\/p>\n

Another noticeable distinction between the\u00a0adapted ball and\u00a0the one often seen\u00a0at a park\u00a0or pitch? It’s heavier. The reason is simple: the added weight keeps the ball on the ground. And a ball that generally stays true to the ground makes it easier for the students to keep it in front of them.<\/p>\n

Right next to these balls is a collection of bright fluorescent yellow ones, which also contain a rattle. These particular balls are for the low-vision students \u2013 students who retain some vision, but also require the\u00a0adapted learning tools\u00a0and classes\u00a0that the school provides.<\/p>\n

Just as Duff finishes talking about the\u00a0adapted soccer balls, another instructor \u2013 Steve Hollis \u2013 jogs back from around the corner of the building. He laughs with\u00a0one of his fellow\u00a0instructors, then makes his way over to explain his whereabouts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually went from the first session into the classroom,\u201d Hollis says with a laugh. Apparently, a student from the previous session made a special request to bring the former player back to class. How could he say no?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just great to make new little friends and see little smiles on their faces,\u201d Hollis says. \u201cYou could see they had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n

**<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Sullivan guides a student along the perimeter of the field.<\/p><\/div>\n

The instructors and students return to the field one more time before lunch is served. This time, Jain explains the basics of the penalty kick. Two training cones are set ten yards apart. He is the keeper.<\/p>\n

Another instructor places a ball in front of the line of kids anxious to take their penalties. Jain chats up the penalty taker.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am the best keeper in the land,\u201d Jain proclaims. \u201cAnd nothing gets by me!\u201d<\/p>\n

A teenage girl flashes a broad smile before she puts her foot behind the ball. She picks her head up, and pounds it to the right of Jain and inside the right cone. Success.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh! You beat me! No one\u2019s ever beat me. How did you do that?\u201d Jain cries.<\/p>\n

The girl covers her mouth as she tries to trap her laugh \u2013 but to no avail. She cannot hide the fun written all over her face.<\/p>\n

More penalty takers emerge. Almost all hit their shots. One of the students \u2013 a tall teenage boy – behind her offers enthusiastic applause as he prepares for his turn. The excitement is palpable.<\/p>\n

**<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Liverpool instructors (L-R): David McParland, Eddie Sullivan, Rishi Jain, Forbes Duff and Scott Fowler.<\/p><\/div>\n

Once lunch time arrives, the students wipe their brows and huddle up under the tent. They grab another drink of water. They\u2019re exasperated, but no one complains. In fact, it\u2019s the exact opposite.<\/p>\n

One girl talks about how she wants to work on her dribbling. The girl next to her counters, saying she wants to learn how to shoot harder. And another next to\u00a0them explains that she wants to learn the rules of the game.<\/p>\n

Leaning on a picnic table off to the side, Duff reflects on the session. The goal here isn\u2019t to mold the next Pele or Leo Messi. It runs deeper than that. It\u2019s about opening a door.<\/p>\n

He acknowledges that many of the students hadn\u2019t been introduced to the sport prior to the arrival of the Liverpool instructors. In fact, a couple of the kids admitted that they\u2019d played other sports at the school. But, up until now, soccer wasn\u2019t one of them.<\/p>\n

In light of that, he says that he hopes that today\u2019s introduction will stay with them beyond this hot, mid-summer\u2019s afternoon. That the excitement behind him will parlay into a passion for the sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we can come here and give them a little taste of it, then you never know,\u201d Duff says.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe it\u2019s something they do in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Liverpool announced in March it would play at Fenway Park this summer, local supporters weren’t the only ones in for a treat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nesoccertoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Eddie1.png?fit=486%2C255","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14065"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14065"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14065\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14131,"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14065\/revisions\/14131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}