Children with physical and mental challenges don't have to be spectators at their siblings' soccer games anymore, thanks to the Fayette County Youth Soccer League.

"We've watched these kids for a year now," says Coach Pete Folds, "and we finally got this going. It's a Godsend for them, and for us, we're just thrilled to be able to offer soccer for them."

Last Saturday, the children gathered for their first practice at McCurry Park with their parents, some volunteers and Coach Pete. Some readily captured the rudiments of the game, Folds said, but "every one of them had fun, and that's what is most important to us."

Chris Williams, president of the youth soccer league, said the group just about big enough for two teams will play the rest of this season at the indoor soccer center on Robinson Drive, returning outdoors next spring. They'll play every two weeks, Williams said, with regularly scheduled practices.

"They have restrictions on their physical abilities, most of them," Folds added, "and some have mental challenges. But they have no restrictions on their spirit. That's why we started this. We saw them watching, longing to play, and now they can."

The 56-year-old Folds says he is "thankful to the good Lord for the health and strength to do this," and says he's really looking forward to working with the teams. Folds has coached girls' teams in Thunder soccer for 10 years; some of those advancing players have volunteered to help with the special league. Joan Williams of FCYSL "was a big help as an adult volunteer, and some of my former players who helped were Elizabeth DeWerff, Mandy Marston and Meghan Wittkopp," Folds added.

Folds said that he and Chris Williams "would like to see this catch on and go statewide ... maybe there will someday be a 'soccer event' for the Special Olympics." He said he's delighted that "more parents are calling up for their kids to participate, and more of my former players want to help out."