December 5, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – South Georgia Tormenta FC News Release
STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC is excited to announce they are taking the initial steps of creating a Unified Team in partnership with the Georgia Special Olympics.
Tormenta FC is delighted to be joining several other USL League One teams who have added a Unified team to their clubs in the past couple of years. Forward Madison FC and Union Omaha are two examples who have played each other. Also, Greenville Triumph has announced the creation of their Unified team this upcoming season. Tormenta FC desires to have a Unified team play two games this upcoming season (one home and one away) immediately following a USL League One match. The Unified season is scheduled to begin in March 2024 and run through October 2024.
The Special Olympics Unified Sports program focuses on promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences and joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Teams are currently being established through each state’s Special Olympics program.
Tormenta FC is looking for male and female athletes 16 years and older with intellectual disabilities to be a part of the South Georgia Tormenta FC Unified Team. The tryout date and training schedule are to be determined. The Unified team will provide a professional style coaching staff including a head coach and assistant coaches.
Excitedly, the Unified team will wear Tormenta FC uniforms similar to the USL League One and USL W League players. The Unified team will also sign contracts and participate in a media day like Tormenta FC professional players do.
“Tormenta Nation has a big umbrella. Our first team men and women both have won titles. Our Academy is the heartbeat of the club, and our fans give us the energy to continue to grow,” said Co-Owner of Tormenta FC Darin Van Tassell. “Our Unified Team now joins that umbrella. Vamos Tormenta!”
If you are interested in joining the Unified Team as a player or as a coach email David Crawford of Special Olympics Georgia at david.crawford@specialolympicsga.org or fill out the form at https://forms.gle/QDD244ALSev62ETA6
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