Meet The Chippewa Valley Hooligans
Chances are high that you’ve heard of the adaptive sport of power soccer—but have you ever watched a match? Did you know that we have our own local power soccer team in Eau Claire that attends national tournaments? Since being founded in 2014, the Chippewa Valley Hooligans power soccer team has been a beacon for adaptive sports and advocacy in the Chippewa Valley, and they don’t plan on stopping any time soon. As adaptive recreational opportunities in the community continue to grow, it’s important to highlight existing opportunities and their impact as well as their continued need for support.
Visually, power soccer is quite similar to regular soccer, but has subtle nuances and rules that help players stay safe and keep the game moving. Each team may have no more than four players on the field at a time, including their goalie, and no more than one defender can be within three meters of the ball and ball handler at one time. These rules are presumably in place to keep areas of the court less crowded and allow room for maneuvering, passing, and scoring. Otherwise, the danger of the ball becoming stuck under a power chair poses an increasing risk to players.
Not only does power soccer offer sportsmanship and competitive play to players boasting a wide range of ages and abilities, but it also removes barriers to entry for many players through the use of specialized power chairs. Players utilize these power chairs to mitigate heavier physical restrictions and focus on the sport.
We had the opportunity to interview Julie and Jason Endres about how power soccer has increased athletic opportunities for people with disabilities in the area.
“It is the 10-year anniversary for the Chippewa Valley Hooligans. The guy that started our team played for a team in Minneapolis, and he really wanted a team started here so that his friends could come and watch and see what power soccer really is. There was a demo that we just happened to go to. I got into one of the chairs and fell in love with it right away. We had our first practice a week later. It was really cool,” said Jason.
“I hadn’t played a sport for probably 25 years. Being in a competitive sport again was cool to me, and one I could do from a power chair was cooler. We’ve been to countless cities around the Midwest and played teams from around the country,” said Jason. There are about 60 US Power Soccer Association-affiliated teams in the country, 40 of which attend nationals every year to compete in four different brackets.
Since their debut year, the Hooligans have competed in numerous local and national matches and tournaments. The team also hosts their annual tournament, the Cullen Connolly Shamrock Smackdown, each spring around St. Patrick’s Day.
Like any sport, the rising competitive spirit at these events can create an exciting and intense atmosphere. “Once the adrenaline drops off after the game, you go back and talk. But tempers flare sometimes,” said Julie.
Over the ten years that they’ve held the tournament, they typically compete with a tight-knit group of teams that they’ve become familiar with. “Everybody is competitors on the field, but off the field, we’re all friends,” said Jason. This sport has created camaraderie and community among many people with disabilities.
Cullen Connolly, the namesake of the team’s annual tournament, was one of the founding influences of the Chippewa Valley Hooligans who had a significant impact on those around him both on and off the field. Cullen’s interest and love for the sport was the one of the driving factors for a team to be founded in the area, resulting in the Hooligans we know today. Unfortunately, the Hooligans were only able to play with Cullen for the first year of the team’s existence. In 2015, Cullen’s life was tragically lost to a drunk driver.
Cullen’s family and loved ones continue to share his story and influence on the community: “Cullen's enormous spirit, giving soul, and courageous heart are what needs to be remembered.” More details about Cullen’s positive impact and shining legacy can be found here.
“We only played with [Cullen] for a season, but the team is his team. We do a tournament in March called the Cullen Connolly Shamrock Smackdown. It's in his honor, because without him, we wouldn’t have a team. We’ve changed our logo over the ten years, but we keep the main part of it, which is his part of it. We don’t want to lose that part of the team.” said Julie.
“Knowing [Cullen] for just a few short months really made an impact on myself, Julie and others on the team,” said Jason.
Support the Chippewa Valley Hooligans
Equipment
The Chippewa Valley Hooligans are currently seeking support to meet their adaptive equipment needs and staff their upcoming tournament this March. Typically, players use a specialized Strike Force Power Soccer Wheelchair, which are specialized for the sport and come with extra comfort and safety modifications. Additionally, the team is looking for a headset array with an open mic system with speaker and headset support which could have up to 10 headsets connected at one time.
Volunteer
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for the Cullen Connolly Shamrock Smackdown this March, please fill out a volunteer form. Note that filling out a form is not a concrete commitment to volunteer and we will use the information gathered to contact interested parties as the tournament dates are solidified.