UNE Health Programs Partner with Maine Adaptive for Power Soccer Demonstration

Students from several of the University of New England’s health professions programs recently partnered with Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation to host a power soccer demonstration, introducing wheelchair users to the sport while providing UNE students with the opportunity to engage with clients in a hands-on, real-world setting.

Held Oct. 19 at the Pineland Farms Outdoor and Fitness Center in New Gloucester, the event brought together students from UNE’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.), Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.), and Bachelor of Science in Applied Exercise Science degree programs.

Maine Adaptive empowers people with disabilities to participate in many forms of sport, and the event was an opportunity to engage their clients in the sport of power soccer. Played on a standard basketball court, the fast-paced sport is designed for individuals who use power wheelchairs to manipulate the soccer ball into the net.

The demonstration also welcomed members from Northeast Passage, a nonprofit recreational therapy organization, and regional U.S. Power Soccer teams, creating an inclusive and informative experience for all involved.

“This event highlighted a powerful partnership among organizations united in their shared commitment to supporting the health and wellness of our communities,” said Betsy Cyr, PT, D.P.T., DHSc, PCS, assistant clinical professor of physical therapy at UNE. “Service-learning activities like the Power Soccer Demo Day offer invaluable, hands-on experiences that enhance students’ interpersonal skills, professionalism, and empathy — qualities essential for their success as future health care providers.”

UNE’s partnership with Maine Adaptive builds on past collaborative efforts, including a 2021 sled hockey demonstration that brought student volunteers together with Maine Adaptive athletes. The initiatives align with UNE’s mission to make a meaningful impact on the health of local communities by integrating education with community engagement and by fostering both personal and professional growth in students while they are still in school.

Maine Adaptive Program Director Nate Podgajny said students were essential in helping to break down barriers to competitive sports for those with different abilities, many of whom they will care for as future health professionals.

“It’s important for the next generation of health care leaders to be aware of what's possible for someone who doesn't fit the traditional mold of what an athlete looks like,” Podgajny said. “I can't thank UNE enough for giving their students the chance to experience the benefits of adaptive sports firsthand. Increased awareness brings increased opportunity and, together, we've really been able to create something that's much more than the sum of its parts.” 

Power soccer, recognized as the first competitive team sport designed for individuals using power wheelchairs, emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and athleticism. Events like the demonstration at Pineland Farms offer participants a chance to develop new skills while also promoting social connection and physical activity.

The event hit home for Megan Fecteau, B.S. ’22, (D.P.T., ’25), who organized the event in collaboration with the Department of Physical Therapy. 

Fecteau said she conceived the idea to host a power soccer demonstration after years of watching her younger brother, Aiden, play the sport. Of the many memorable activities of the day, Fecteau said she was impacted most by helping orient game participants into their power soccer chairs.

“My brother had a similar opportunity about eight years ago, and I have been able to experience firsthand how playing the sport competitively has positively impacted his life. It was really incredible for me to meet people who now may be able to have the same experience he did,” she said.

Fecteau said the experience — from phoning in local teams to coordinating space to chasing down stray soccer balls on the court — shaped her outlook as a future health care professional.

“Planning this event proved to me that I want to include advocacy for adaptive sports as part of my physical therapy career,” she said. “This (Maine Adaptive) partnership can provide UNE students from all programs the chance to volunteer for both on- and off-campus opportunities, learn about the benefits that adaptive sports can have, and hopefully take those experiences into their careers to provide for their future patients.”