City of Burbank Launches Powerchair Soccer Program

Burbank, CA (July 20, 2023) – On Sunday, July 23, 2023, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, the Parks and Recreation Department, in collaboration with Powerchair Soccer Head Coach Armando Ornelas, invites the community to take part in welcoming Powerchair Soccer to the City of Burbank. This event is open to the public and will take place at the McCambridge Recreation Center Gym at 1515 North Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91504.

Powerchair Soccer began in the 1970s when a group of innovative teachers created a game suited to the abilities of students with severe physical disabilities. Today, Powerchair Soccer is the fastest growing sport for power wheelchair users, which combines the skill of the power wheelchair user with the speed and power of the chair itself in an exciting and challenging game. Powerchair Soccer is played on a regulation-sized basketball court with four players per team, a goalkeeper, and three defenders. 

United States Powerchair Soccer Coach Armando was first introduced to the game through his son Kyle when he started playing Powerchair Soccer in the summer of 2008. “Kyle enjoyed playing and I saw an opportunity to support his aspiration to play a competitive team sport,” said Coach Armando. “I first volunteered with the United States Power Soccer Association as a referee and then became a coach in 2009. My son passed away in July 2018 from complications due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 23, and since then I have continued coaching to give others the same enjoyment and opportunities that this sport brought Kyle.”

"The City of Burbank is honored to partner with Coach Armando to offer this fun and exciting opportunity to our community,” said Marisa Garcia, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director for the City of Burbank. “Powerchair Soccer is a wonderful Burbank-based drop-in play opportunity that will promote accessible and inclusive sports for athletes living in the Greater San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and San Gabriel Valley.” 

Through programs like this, the Parks and Recreation Department aims to contribute to the mental wellness and self-esteem of individuals with disabilities. This adaptive drop-in sports program will allow participants to feel a sense of camaraderie and fellowship among teammates and find a sense of purpose through sport.

The Parks and Recreation Department will offer Powerchair Soccer as an ongoing drop-in sport during the summer. Powerchair Soccer drop-in play will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays at the McCambridge Recreation Center Gym. More information on drop-in sports can be found at www.burbankca.gov/drop-in-sports or by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 818-238-5300.

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