2021 National Blind Sports Week - Blind Soccer Panel

And welcome back to a National Blind Sports Week presented by Healthy Vision Association. Today we're talking Blind Soccer We. got a great panel of athletes, coaches, and officials line up for you today. I'm Jaime Garzon, USA's Blind Soccer Manager. I'll go ahead and introduce your to your panelist panelist give me a wave or a thumbs up when I say your name. We have Sky Arthur Banning He's. a referee representative. We have Kevin Brown athlete, Bailey Martin Atley, and Team Taylor, one of our coaches. Before we open up the floor to actually talk with our panelist, we're first going to answer the question, what is Blind Soccer Uh? and we're gonna play a video for you. Bill, I'm not sure if the sound system is working. think we're gonna give it a one more try. Otherwise, I can describe the video. I apologize to everyone. Uh we're having some difficulties with the sound. So we're gonna try it one more time. I think in order for sound to work for video, everyone has to put themselves on mute. I think. Oh, I don't think they sounds gonna be available, but if you are watching this, if you go to our website, you can watch the video of what is Blind Soccer and I'm gonna inscribe a little bit about the game really quick, so the game is played five aside, four of the field players are visually impaired, and the goalkeeper could be sided. Um, they feel dimensions is 20 meter by 40 meter, which is kinda like a food sole core dimensions are and then the field is divided in three sections. We have the defensive section, the mid section, and the offensive section. Um we have one coach that will handle the mid section. The goalkeeper who's actually sided can direct the defense and he can can communicate with the defense when they're on the defensive quarter and then we have a guy on the offense who actually stays behind the post and is actually coordinating the offense. So, little bit different than regular soccer where all the coaches are on the sideline. We only have one coach on the sideline who can only talk to the players while the ball is in that space and then we have the goalkeeper who leads the defense and then the guide who is on offense and his communicating with the offensive players. Uh the game is 20 minute a half. and as I mentioned for players are visually impaired and they do have eye shades while they're playing as well. Um and in a nutshell it's five B five just like regular soccer it is, like just like regular soccer. Buena adaptation to a field are the sideboards. So on each side there is a cyborg at about a meter and then on each side with a slide Not sure what slight angle to to a cyborg. Um of ten ten degrees I believe it is. And so a ball doesn't leave the court. It bounces back. And then the ball could leave the court at the end of the of the offence and defense. So if the ball leaves they just have regular coordinate kicks as regular soccer or there is the goalkeeper starts starts the game again if if if the offense team kicks the ball out of bounds. Um we have two officials for each game and and I think that's it. I mean it's pretty simple. Uh 20 by forty, five, five aside. And usually impair athletes play the game. So we are gonna start with our panelist. Um and again I apologize for the sound for the video but if you guys wanna go to our website click on Blind Soccer and what is Blind Soccer The? video is there for you to watch and it has a way better explanation than than than what I just did is very exciting. So we're gonna start with our panelist and we're gonna start with Bailey and she's gonna share a little bit about herself and how did she find out about Blind Soccer? So, hi, everyone. My name is Bailey Martin and I'm from Iowa. So, I first learned about Blind Soccer through Campabilities in Iowa but I really didn't hear a lot more about it until last year's sports week and I got really interested into it and wanted to learn more. So, I reached out to Kevin Brown and just let him know. If anything pops up, let me know. I'd love to go to any camp about it. And sure enough, there is a camp in August that I got to go to and it was so much fun I learned so much about the sport and I really think it has a lot of opportunities out there for people. Alright, thank you, Elia. Appreciate that. And we have Kevin Brown, also an athlete representative Karen, I think you're muted. There you go. Sorry. thank you guys. Hello, my name is Kevin Brown. I'm from the Washington DC area and I first actually learned about Blind Soccer Uh. over 20 years ago when I heard it was being played in South America. And ironically, I was fascinated as a long time soccer enthusiast and I worked with the former USABA executive director to get information about the sport to try and build the the game here and the Northeast with the the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Athletes and so we would practice in scrimmage for about a summer long and unfortunately, it didn't grow the legs for sustainability and so that was my first experience to to participate with Blind Soccer and then almost 20 years later, I had the opportunity with a a camp and at the Maryland School for the Deaf and Blind which Tim Taylor was supporting and had the opportunity to to get that experience and then later on and I was fortunate enough to to play Vine Soccer with Bailey Martin here on the panel. Thank you, Brad. Thank you, Kevin. And we're gonna talk to team, our coach, coach, representative. Hi, everyone Um I started doing, I've been teaching for about eight years now at Schools for the Blind and have done sighted soccer and then, I came to the Maryland School for the Blind and my superintendent at the time came to the other PE teacher and myself and said, I just came back from Rio. Uh I was talking to Mark Lucas and we wanna do Blind Soccer Do. you wanna do it? And my other PE teacher and I both looked at each other and I'm like, sure. I'll do it. So, I was like, let's do this. Let's learn about it. So, I did my best. My first year and then, the second year, we worked with USABA to get at our school that first ever Blind Soccer Camp in the US where I learned a lot that I've never knew was possible with Blind Soccer from Isma and from the so Kevin was there. I think Skye was there as well and and it just took off from there. So, that was kind of my first ever real experience with doing official Blind Soccer. Thank you, team. Now, we're gonna talk to Skye our, referee representative. Hello, everyone. I'm Skye Arthur Banning I'm. an associate professor at Clemson University but my role here is as an official. So, I actually have been officiating sort of professional and semi-professional soccer for 25 plus years. Um but also attending a number of Paralympic games and so, I had gone to a number of Paralympic games and actually in 2012 in London, had seen Blind Soccer and sort of came back to the US and started inquiring about it. Then, and in two thousand sixteen after I had officiated in the the Paralympics in in Rio, Brazil as part of a CP Soccer Program, a lot of the times, the soccer officials for both Blind and and Savage five aside and sub aside are in the same venues or the we're close together. So, just sort of continue that conversation with some of the ref the the referees and decided to write a grant and we actually hosted a think Tank at Clemson with USABA with a number of folks as well as some global athletes to just sort of discuss the process. Bring in US Soccer you, know, who's gonna be the national governing body and I think that really led to USABA taking things over which led to the first camp at at Tim's group and just sort of the ball continued to snowball which has been really exciting to see. That's awesome. Well, now, the sky that I have you here, what will be the first thing that you will suggest for someone who is learning to play Blind Soccer? Yeah. So, I would say try it. Whether you have a visual impairment or not. So, my first suggestion is give it a try and if you don't have the proper ball, then, the the next best thing, certainly not the best thing but the next best thing is to, you know, stick a stick a plastic bag or something around the ball and and give it a try. Close your eyes, give it a kick, get a sense of it, and again, whether you got a visual impairment or not, you at least can start to understand the skill and talent that Bailey and Kevin and athletes like that have to be able to track the ball. Um but for me that's the that's the most exciting part is just trying to get everyone to give it a try and and have that understanding that that football really is for all. Um not just for for for particular people. Thank you Skye Uh. team what would you wanna add to to that? How will be the first thing that you'll suggest some more for someone who wants to play Blind Soccer Kinda? going off with Skye saying is get a ball. If you don't have a Soccer ball. That's okay. Um there's, you can get just get a regular soccer ball. You can, like, Sky said, put a plastic bag around it, get a friend, get a family member, and just get out and just start kicking the ball around, going out through open space, working on that because that's that's where you'll know if this is for me or not. Even if it's not a Blind Soccer ball, that's okay or you don't have all the equipment, that's fine. Just get a ball, see what it's like, because I'm sure a lot of you and like myself, you know, I've never seen Blind Soccer before until, you know, five years ago and getting out there, seeing the athletes just getting a ball and just dribbling in the field is great. Um and I've had athletes here at my school who've never done it before and I'm just like, like Skye said, come out and try it Just try it. If you like it, awesome. If you don't, that's okay. At least you learn and you try something new Thank you, team. Thank you, Skye And. for our athletes, Bailey, starting with you, what are the biggest challenges with learning to play Blind Soccer and what are some of the fun parts for playing the game as well? For me, definitely a challenge is learning to slow down. I have a tendency to just not really think about what I'm doing and just go for it, which doesn't always work out. So, learning to slow down and process my next move is a big one. Um, the most exciting part is competing. I love to compete and also just being around people. I feel like we have such a great community and I felt like everyone really clicked at this last camp and so, it was a lot of fun getting to share that experience with everyone. That's awesome. Thank you. Kevin, same question for you, what are biggest challenges, learning the game and what are some of the most fun parts of learning the game? Oh, thanks, Amy. I would say the biggest challenge right now really is exposure and so, through panels like this and and the opportunities to these camps and and what's Tim's doing great in the community with the the the school for in Maryland is how do we get the information out there so people can learn that this is a game a sky set for everyone football can be for everyone and so I think one of the biggest challenges in in playing the game is making people aware of it so what can we do to help that awareness and I think the great thing about soon as you present that level of awareness on on a challenging perspective it goes right to a question. Everything's fun. It's a great game. Not only the speed of the game and the competition that Bailey just mentioned but that teamwork and the camaraderie that it develops and how it builds so many other wonderful things not just in the game of soccer but in the game of life. Um you know, I use the expression like, you know, you know, soccer touch the ball as much as you can. So, get as many touches on the ball like in like, get as many, get engaged in life. Soccer is a great game to get engaged in. It creates so much fun and so many other for you in life. Once again, building on that teamwork and community and the camaraderie What a fun game. Thank you, Ken. I think we all agree. Um I wanted to ask Skye if he can share one of his most memorable or exciting matches he seem even have been part of or as a player, as a coach or as a referee. So, I I'm gonna have to have two answers for this one, Jaime Um. so, the I'll start as a as a spectator and again, I I had the incredible opportunity to be in in Rio for the Paralympic Games. and Brazil is routinely one of the best five aside programs in the country or in the world rather And to watch you know Brazil playing in their home stadium at the Paralympic Games and just to see the energy and excitement of of Blind Football and and a lot of people I'm sure seeing the game for the first time and and trying to be quiet in the stands which is just not normal. Right? But the athletes have to be able to hear the ball and and then when someone scores everyone gets so excited and and just that that energy was really really to be able to take in as a spectator. Um as an official, I'm I'm my officiating career in Blind Soccer is a very fresh one. Um so, I would have to say that the last camp we had in Colorado was perhaps the most intense game with new players that many have never played or played very very little including Kevin and Bailey in sort of a a true game environment with officials, you know, with with teams, and just Trying to to match the intensity of the players, the energy, the excitement of, you know, we've been called into camp and really enjoying that opportunity to to sort of put my skills into the game and and let the athletes show their skills which is was a lot of fun. That's awesome. What about you team? Uh that's tough. Um maybe I have two answers as well. Sorry, Skye I'm. not copying you. It just kinda go with that. Um I say probably number one would be in two thousand nineteen, I've been working with my soccer athletes for about I'd say three years or something and they kept asking me, when are we playing a game? When are we gonna play a game? And and noone had a team. So, it was just our kids playing each other but Virginia, School for the Blind had a team and they practiced that whole season and they came out sometime, I think around this time, late October, early November and they played our kids at our school and it was just great because the the kids, they came out, they had jerseys. They had the shin guards. You know, we had parents in the stands from the Virginia School for the Blind as well as Maryland School for the Blind Our. whole school was there. There was a mascot. Um and it gives me chills this thing about, you know, it just building up to that momentum. I mean, it wasn't even an official game. It was just being a part of like what we called the first ever Blind Soccer game in America was just was great. It was just amazing and the kids still talk about the school. I still get people contact me. Oh, I saw your team did a game two years ago and I just think that's amazing. So, that's probably number one and then number two, like Kevin said, Our last camp in Colorado which was in August. I think with having Skye and and refs there and then having high-level coaches with coach Katie from Ohio and Georgie from New York and then having athletes like Bailey and Kevin and come out and do just a couple days of training and then we do a accumulative game at the end. Just seeing like Kevin said, that high level, I mean, my athletes here, they're high level but but they're at high-level youth level, you know. So, they're working but to see, you know, Bailey who's played for 2 days, get the ball, and just sprint down the field, running through guys twice her size, and just the intensity and the level, it just, it gives me chills now talking about it too, just great to see that. That was very memorable. So, those two games were very memorable for me. That's awesome. I do remember that from Bailey. She was pretty fast. What about you, Bailey. Uh definitely would be at Colorado. I just loved it so much. I loved all the advice from the coaches. Um the intensity of it was awesome. I'm a very competitive person and so, getting to be challenged by, like Tim said, like, guys, twice, my size is great. They did not go easy on me which I was thankful for but yeah, it was a lot of fun. That's awesome. I also heard that you had a chance to meet Someone in the soccer world. Yeah. Uh about a year and a half ago now, I got to meet Leo Messi. So, that was really cool. What was that? Did he, did he, was he aware of playing soccer? Yeah, he had. Played it with the team in Brazil or Spain, maybe? But he got a chance to play with them and he was like, it was so eye opening. Alright, alright. Kevin Well, for me, it's it's a tie. For me, the best game, best memories for me is every game, every practice that I had the opportunity to coach my two boys and the local community and share the game of soccer that I love that's given me so much and to watch them blossom each and every time I was on the pitch and share in that experience, every one of those thousand plus events is a tie. Wouldn't trade them for the world That's awesome. Thank you, Kevin. Next questions for, for Skye and and team and I'll start with Skye. Um Skye where, where does the US stack up in the world right now and and how do we get better at playing soccer? How do we grow the sport? Where do we stack up in the world right now is is is we don't yet cuz we're still developing the team and really that's the that's the exciting part both on the men's and the women's side is is that development of of a of a team, of a program. Um so, I think that's the, I mean, that's the truly that's the challenge for us is is to get a team together both on the men's and the women's side that can compete in tournaments that can start in in sort of the the four-year cycle of the Paralympic Game Cycles. Um I actually think the women might be better suited to jump in than the men are. And I only say that because the men are have been competing for a number of years all around the world. Um the women in terms of Blind Football is a fairly new sport just in the last few years. And so I think that's really exciting again for us to jump in and almost not be so far behind in terms of the development of the game. Um how do we get better is is that $25, 000 question or whatever it is. Um I think we, you know, certainly recruiting athletes, I know that both Kevin and Bailey have come from other sports and I think that's that has to be something that we have to be thinking about is, you know, are there, are there athletes with visual impairments that that fit our classification criteria that might be interested in trying something else. So, you know, goal ball isn't the only sport for visual impairment in the world and and we need to see if we can recruit some of those high-level athletes, those fit, agile, mobile athletes to the Game of soccer. Um and I think growing the sport really is is coming from a whole bunch of pieces. And we had chatted about potentially hosting a a camp at at Virginia School for the Blind I think this coming summer. Where we bring in all the PE teachers. So Tim and all his friends from all around the country to to a central location and teach them all. Similar to sort of the experience that Tim had teach them all Blind Soccer so that they can take it back to their really targeted audiences all around the country to sort of help grow the grassroots. So I think we're sort of at it from top down and bottom up to try and see what we can come up with in terms of of of a developmental model. Hope I yield all of your thunder Tim but there you go. Go ahead Tim. Oh, what should I say now? Um no, it's Sky's Right. Sky's Right on all those aspects. Um, where we stack up in the world of Blind Soccer, for men, we are towards the bottom. Be honest, we're at the bottom. We're novice. We're new, we don't, we're still learning, we don't know everything, and we're we're learning. So, we're on the bottom. I don't think we're the the bottom bottom. I think we could, you know, if we put a team together, we could handle some other countries but we're definitely down, you know, we're we're novice, we're new, we're learning, we're we're at the youth level almost, you know, and working our way up, you know, which is fine. Um the women's, I think, like Skye said, I think it's so new for the women's team and not having any visual classification requirements, I think, puts us at a higher level 'cuz we can get the Baileys who have higher vision and you can have some people with lower vision, and we can mix those teams up, and, I think we can compete at the women's level at a high level right now, and please don't be offended any of the, the gentlemen I've worked with over the years, but we just need to work and I think to grow it, to make it, you know, a sport in America, we need to get that team. We need to get that men's team for Blind Soccer in America. We need to get that women's team for Blind Soccer America. Um because the kids that I work with don't have anyone to look up to, you know. The big sports are goal ball, you know, track and field. The the the athletes are already at the Paralympic level and they look up to them like, oh, I wanna be, you know, go ball athlete. I wanna be a track star because they have names that are big. So, we can form that team that will help us develop at my level where I work with the youth and I think that's important as well like Sky was saying that two two-tiered approach working with youth, working with anyone who's part of Youth Soccer not, even just at the schools for the Blind you, know, working with the communities and US Soccer to get these, cuz there's athletes out there who don't go to school for the Blind who, are youth, and they wanna play, and teaching getting education out there and getting the word just saying, hey, we're here. We're doing Blind Soccer and it's great and just getting that out there, I think will help us grow the sport at that level and then, it'll eventually, you know, years down the line, we'll be looking back at this like, wow, you know, it started from something really small and now it's grown into something really big. Yeah and and I think you, you, you took something that is, is very important and it's about how we, how anyone that wanna play the sport and is not involved with anything. How at this point, how do they get involved in the sport and I think obviously, things are moving fast and we're having a panelist about Blind Soccer we're having training camps and and we're working with the different schools for the blind around the country but I think what you mention is is right, Timmy. I think it's gonna be a a a soccer effort, as a country, and that involves US Soccer and US Youth Soccer and the Schools for the Blind and and everyone who loves the game to get involved and and and let people know that Blind Soccer is here and it's an opportunity for people with visual impairments to to play the beautiful game and that really these are athletes, they're functional, we compete at the Paralympic level, Uh right now, the the Blind Blind Soccer is basically a the brother of regular soccer on the Olympic side but on the paralympic side and I think that's that's that's important to mention as well. Um Right now, we're working on different initiatives to you know, partner with US Youth Soccer and for example, where there are regular clubs for soccer, you know, can they start teaching Blind Soccer with one or two or or three athletes can I coach, you know, to receive all of our information and start teaching someone, you know, how to play Blind Soccer Can. we start working with the PE teachers at the school sort of line and and start working with the kids and teaching them the game and and and then obviously a lot of the weight will be on us to manage that and create those paths for us to identify those players and and and put them in front of you at a training center that way you can select and work with them and I think that's that's the key as we move forward I think my my last question for all of you. So Jaime I just Jaime can, I, I just wanna maybe it's a little challenge to to club directors and and I'd chat to a state directors of of US Youth Soccer to sort of you know, they'll and say, well, we're tapped out in our resources. you know, we're, we just, we've got so much going on. We're tapped out and and and I don't accept that as an answer anymore. I really don't. Because to me, you're not topped out because you're not serving the entire body of folks that you could be serving, right? And so, again, maybe that's a little bit of a challenge to say, you know what, you're, if you're tapped out, then you need to be thinking about who you're not serving and figure out ways to make sure that that you are serving them and I think certainly, Blind Soccer is is one of those elements that, you know, we, you're, you're busy isn't an excuse anymore. We're not serving all of the people for all of the folks and we wanna be able to do that. Right and and I think you know, after a few conversations with US Soccer and US Youth Soccer I, think we are on the same page that we wanna be more inclusive and integrate everyone as they are, as they are, athletes, to play the game and and as we move forward and we approach the state associations and the clubs, I think it will be an open conversation for them to say, you know, you know, what reality like you can have a staff member run a practice once a week for a group of athletes and you know it's not gonna take a lot of your budget soccer is the beautiful game because you can play with a ball and as you mentioned at the beginning of the panel if you don't have a soccer ball a blind soccer ball, you can put a bag on it and just play the game, right? Um so so I as I think there is a huge opportunity for us to use those path and pads and to start ID in and and and creating more more of a of a pool of players for us to pick for as we move forward. Um but I guess the last question I have for you guys as as panelist is what are your goals when it comes to Blind Soccer Skype, what what are your goals for the next five years? Where do you think we should be in five years if you if you had a a magic ball and you said, you know, in five years, I wanna be here and and I think the game could be here. Tim did, someone else wanna go first so I don't steal everybody's tummy this time? I'll go first. I'm happy to go first. We'll, we'll go, we'll go with Bailey. We'll go with Bailey. Alright. Um right now, I have two goals. One's a short term and one's a long term. Uh my short-term goal is getting on a team and just getting better and working on different skills and then, my long-term goal is winning more than one Paralympic gold medal for Soccer. Alright, and I think Bailey, when I met you, I think I, I said to you, you're gonna be an next Mia Ham of a Blind Soccer Um, and sadly, you said, who's Mia Ham, but But but I googled her. I know more about her now. Well thank thank you. What about you, Kevin? Uh, that's funny. Um, actually, Bailey, that just gives us an idea that our difference in age. I actually used to play with Mia Ham when she grew up here in the, in my area, and then played it a year or two above, and we would compete against women on occasions. So, phenomenal player. Um, from a kind of a goal for Blind Soccer. Bike. Sky had indicated. I'd like to see it integrated into every community. Um obviously that's a goal and I like to see that kind of a magic one approach where it's available where anyone wants to play. And obviously you know that you have some opportunities with the schools for the blind to integrate immediately but how do we build it in the youth soccer? Um and how do we make it part of it? So truly soccer is for for everyone that that beautiful game you talk about. Um so on a a personal level for me for the game. Um you know, certainly I wanna be in the stands watching Bailey win the couple of those gold medals but I hope to compete and and serve as as maybe a mentor that, you know, this game can be played at a high level regardless of age and stress the importance of of that teamwork and communication in the game. Uh so, hopefully, I can be a part of it whether I'm sharing in the stands or or on the pitch practicing with Bailey. right? Before I go with Tim and Skye I, wanna mention to our Facebook friends that are watching live. If you guys have any questions for us for the panel is, you know, feel free to type in your question in the comments area and and and we will talk about it before we close the panel. Uh we'll we'll appreciate any feedback or if you have questions for any of us. Uh Tim where, do you say, where do you see a game in five years? Where do you see yourself? I was helping to follow Sky so I can just copy his answer but But you know, it's tough to think. Um my one goal, of course, is to be part of US Blind Soccer in some aspects whether that's coaching or coaching education something in that aspect. I wanna be there. I wanna I wanna to be honest, I wanna be on that 20 twenty-eight team in in Los Angeles. So, I wanna walk through the opening ceremonies and be a part of that Blind Soccer team that we're gonna field for that Paralympic games in 2028. So that is the goal I've set for myself to be either on the sideline or be a part of that organization that sends that team to the Paralympics in twenty twenty-eight. Um for my school and my youth athletes, I wanna continue to keep growing the sport. We started four years ago with four or five athletes and now we're up to 10 to 12 and it just keeps growing and I want it to be a sport that everyone wants to play. get it out in the community. So, this year, we're gonna have a semi professional indoor team come play our kids and then next year, hopefully with COVID being better, we can have, you know, a game with maybe a public school in the area. Get the word out there. Start working with the local school system. Say, hey, our kids are here. They're the same age as you guys. They have the same abilities and capabilities you guys can do. We just have some modifications or ways to help us play just at the same level as you. Um so, build that and then, I said, I got I got a couple, sorry. Um you you can talk to missus, my wife, and she knows I have these goals and but anyway, and then my third and final goal would probably be getting more schools for the Blind on on Blind Soccer because as I said, my kids ask me every year, when are we gonna play a game? Who we gonna play? And my goal is to get at least In five years, let's go for five schools to have it. So, every year, have a new school, have a team that they're fielding, that we all can play and then, have that big tournament at the end of the season. But those are my personal goals. That's awesome. Thank you, team. And Skye well, what about you? Yeah, so I, I, for me, I think it's probably too pronged again, just thinking programmatically, what's the, what's the program, you know, what are the program goals? I, I think for athletes, the the very most exciting thing is that, you know, we're, If if we have to qualify for Paralympic Games, we have to qualify against Brazil, Argentina, Mexico. I mean, some really strong Blind Soccer teams but because we are hosting LA 2028, we get an automatic entry and so, to me, that's just so exciting to be able to tell athletes that if you make this team and compete through that cycle, you will play in the Paralympic Games. You know, we get a host nation bid and and that is that's something that just doesn't come along very often and and that just, that's, I think is so exciting as an athlete. It's so exciting as as a group of trying to develop this program to know that that we have an end goal and obviously, we don't wanna have a team ready for 2028. We need to have a team ready probably for 2024 so that we can compete in that four-year cycle leading up to 2028 but just knowing that that we will have a team in the games and and it's our job to make sure we have a competitive team and and that's really exciting. From a personal perspective, you know, I I would love to be appointed to as a referee to some international tournaments, international competitions so that I can gain some of that and experience and then bring it back to the US and help grow the referee side of the game. Um I've got, you know, MLS and USL and and NC double A referees sending me Emails all the time wanting to get involved in the game. Um and so, that's really exciting that we have kinda mainstream referees that actually want to to to contribute to to the growth of of Blind Football as well from the referee side of things. So, obviously, we need to, you know, if Tim's gonna have five teams competing in five years, we need to have some good referees to support that and so we wanna make sure got a a really nice development of referees. Again, in each state to be able to support the programs that we hope are growing. Yeah, I think you guys bring a a good point and and it really you know, makes me realize that in order for this to happen, we can just develop one side without the other. We gotta move all the different sides at the same time. So, we gotta work in player development. We gotta coach in education. How do we work with the schools for the blind, how do we work with our referees? Um how do we support this programs that we're, we hope to create at the cities, right? How we making em sell so for them to be in their own programs in in in in I think it all starts here. It all starts with the players, the coaches, the administrators and that we're all on the same page. We're pulling towards the same direction and I think that's what's gonna make a difference. Um Sky, you bring a good point where where you're ready or not, where we will be in LA and we're gonna have a team there and how well will you and it will depend on the that we're doing that we're doing right now. So I think we have enough time to you know to to to get ready and and have a foundation for the game. Uh but I'm excited as well. I think that we have good partners in our country and we also have great athletes And we will find we will find a a way into into get to the age. Uh but as of right now, we're here, you know, and we can tell the world that we're here and we're coming and I think that's important as well. I think Bill had a comment on Facebook and I'm gonna open it up to Bill to see if is it a question or a or a comment below? Yeah, we've had several nice comments on the on the on the chat from David Brown who has some ideas about, you know, spreading the word through universities San Diego and the Missouri School for the Blind And. then Ahmad Sharif wanted to shout out to Coach Tim who we worked with at the San Diego camp. I'm med said he's been practicing Blind Soccer for the past three years in New York and and kinda asks how we can develop the sport by having more camp. So maybe if you can address the idea of you know the what what it looks like in the future of getting some more camps around the country. Yeah definitely. Uh I think we're at a point where we're getting ready for 2022 and how do we plan that year? We've been waiting on certain dates from Ipsa for the Central American Championship Tournament and once we have that, I think we can have a plan from there backwards of you know, how many training centers we can have for youth, male and female and you know, in order to get there. So, we're probably gonna post those as soon as possible on our website and let people know in in in how we're gonna accomplish that. Um do you guys have any comments, any remarks that you wanna say before we leave? yeah, just kinda what Sky said in the beginning is, if, if you are watching this and you are just like, wow, what it, that's Blind Soccer, like, Jaime said, check out videos, go on YouTube, type in Blind Soccer, Blind Football. Um, look at it. Check it out, get a ball, try, even if you have a higher visual vision, you know, close your eyes. I do that sometimes, I get a ball, I close my eyes, I go out in the field, and I just practice some of the skills, so I get a feel for what my athletes are doing. Um, and, If you are blind and visually impaired and you're watching this and you're not sure where to go, contact USAVA. Um there's Jaime is here. He's our soccer manager. You can reach out to me. Um and we can help you try to figure out someone you can go to, an organization to work with, to help, you know, get Blind Soccer started in your area. So, that's just my comments and I appreciate everyone for inviting me to come on as well and sharing my my story with you. Well, thank you to thank you to everyone for joining us Uh we're gonna be no, thank you to all our viewers on Facebook and those who submitted questions as well. Uh wanna remember everyone that National Blind Sports Week presented by Healthy Vision Association continues tomorrow with wellness day. So, stay tuned to the USABA social media channels for tips and discussions on recovery in general wellness. Also, don't forget if you haven't signed up to attend the virtual You saw a breakfast with champions presented by Anton that takes place tomorrow morning at nine 30 AM Eastern Time 6: 30 AM Pacific Bill will drop the link in the comments below. Um as well as the video for what is Blind Soccer and I again we we apologize. We didn't have sound for that but I think it's a very good video and and you should probably wanna check it out. And thank you once again to all of our panelists and for you to join us on Facebook and we'll see you tomorrow morning for Breakfast with Champions presented by Anthem.