Long Island hosts amputee soccer national championship
American Amputee Soccer Association partnered with Move United to provide three adaptive athletes with new sports equipment.
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Amputee soccer continues to gain momentum across the country.
Long Island is hosting the fourth annual U.S. AMP Champ tournament this weekend, bringing adaptive athletes together for a showcase of skill, competition and community at the SUSA Sports Complex in Islip.
Players in amputee soccer rely on specialized adaptive equipment designed to withstand the demands of the game while allowing athletes to move more quickly and efficiently on the field.
As part of the weekend's events, the American Amputee Soccer Association partnered with Move United to provide three adaptive athletes with new sports equipment.
For many players, the tournament offers more than just competition. It also provides a sense of belonging and support among fellow athletes.
“I think having a disability can be hard. It's not so much the physical part of it that's hard. It's the social part of it that can be the most challenging," said Nico Calabria. "And that really like falls away when you come to this. No one cares if you have one leg. It's what you do on the soccer field, what kind of person you are.”
Organizers say the U.S. AMP Champ tournament will continue throughout the weekend and are encouraging the public to attend and support the teams competing at the Islip venue.
