Family friends Katy Handell and Calahan Moore are making a remarkable impact on the Lexington community with their league, Soccer Superheroes. The non-profit organization provides an opportunity for people with disabilities ages 4 to adult to participate in a needs-focused soccer league free of charge. Their vision is to offer a sport to those who may not be able to take part in other mainstream sports leagues.
Handell grew up in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School. She attended Erskine College, where she played soccer and received a degree in Special Education. She has taught in Lexington District One for 17 years. Handell and her husband, Kevin, have two children, Mary Scott and Jackson. Handell has always had a dream to combine her passion for soccer and special needs, and Soccer Superheroes has opened the door for her dream to come alive.
Moore is a sophomore at Gilbert High School. She is part of the Varsity Soccer team and Varsity Tennis team. She has always had a heart for serving the community. At just 16 years old, Moore has already been involved in several non-profits. She started her first organization, Backpacks 4 the Homeless, when she was nine years old. Through this initiative, she collected over 700 gently used backpacks from local schools and filled them with essential toiletries to distribute to people experiencing homelessness. Now, working alongside Handell, she is dedicated to making Soccer Superheroes an invaluable program for the community.
While Soccer Superheroes was born from the dreams of Handell and Moore, its success relies on the support of sponsors and dedicated volunteers. The league operates without paid staff, making community involvement essential. Their top priority is to ensure that the league remains accessible to all participants and families, free of charge. Their goal is to eliminate financial barriers and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate. The program is made possible through the generous contribution of time and financial support from the community. Being part of the Soccer Superheroes community is not only rewarding for the players and their families but also for the donors and volunteers. The impact of their time and donations is profound, as it provides children with disabilities with the chance to participate in a sport that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.
When asked about their favorite moments with Soccer Superheroes, Handell shared, “One of my favorite moments was watching a dad cheer for his son and his team and watching the joy on his face when his son scored a goal! I love watching the parents and how much they enjoy watching their child get to participate in a sport that they normally would have difficulty accessing.”
“My favorite part about Soccer Superheroes is how much I’ve learned from the players and Katy,” expressed Moore. “The empathetic and joyful personalities of our Soccer Superheroes athletes put smiles on everyone’s faces during every Soccer Superheroes event. Our athletes confirmed my true passion for serving children with disabilities, so much so that I plan to pursue a path in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, specializing in helping children with developmental disabilities. Working alongside Katy to create Soccer Superheroes, from designing our logo to watching the first season take place, has been an incredible experience. I love getting to know the athletes and their families.”
Handell and Moore work hard to make sure all the athletes feel comfortable during their time in the league. Handell remembers an athlete, Ryder, who was having a tough time during the league’s very first session and refused to play. To get him motivated, the leaders promised that he could pick out the song the DJ would play after the game. This motivated Ryder to get out on the field and enjoy the game. Afterward, he was so excited to play the Cupid Shuffle, and he danced his heart out. The league now plays the Cupid Shuffle after every older kid’s session, and they affectionately refer to the song as “Ryder Shuffle” in honor of Ryder. The athletes all wait around after the game so they can dance to the music, and everyone gets to end the game with a joy-filled moment.
The league is always looking for volunteers as it strives for each athlete to have a one-on-one mentor. High school students and older are encouraged to volunteer. The league is open to younger students volunteering in a peer player system to assist with the flow of the game.
For volunteer and sponsor information or if you have a student who would benefit from participating in Soccer Superheroes as an athlete, visit their website.