Project Inspire: Revolutionizing Inclusion within Competition in U.S. Soccer

Inclusion and recognition of persons with disabilities is growing nearly everywhere around the world. This is especially evident in organizations like Special Olympics that allow these people to be represented on a renowned platform with a global reach. Despite the upward-trending emphasis on inclusion in all aspects, there is nonetheless a lingering disparity between persons with disabilities and those without disabilities regarding competition. In recognizing the opportunity to further empower those with intellectual disabilities (ID) wanting to take part in high-level sports competition, Project Inspire was born.

“…the United States’ inaugural year-long soccer competition tailored specifically for this community…”

At its heart, Project Inspire is about making the most respected elements of soccer accessible to people with ID, consequently producing the fruits of emotional, social, and physical wellbeing within the community. The organization is a trailblazing initiative to establish the United States’ inaugural year-long soccer competition tailored specifically for this community, marking a monumental step toward fostering equality and opportunity on the pitch. Eagerly launching this initiative are two lifelong soccer enthusiasts and players from opposite hemispheres united by chance and a deep love for the game. Co-founders Nil Vinyals (Barcelona, Spain) and João Gomiero (São Paulo, Brazil) both journeyed to the U.S. in 2014 to play collegiately, Vinyals at Union University (Jackson, TN) and Winthrop University (Rock Hill, SC), and Gomiero at Coker University (Hartsville, SC).

This time was followed by professional careers at Tormenta FC (Statesboro, GA) (Vinyals) and the Richmond Kickers – where their paths met. In Spain, Vinyals spent time with ACELL, the Catalan Sports Federation for people with Intellectual Disabilities, and volunteered in the Special Olympics through the Johan Cruyff Foundation, aiding in instruction and supervision of athletes. His experience lies largely under the umbrella of FC Barcelona, having played on academy teams in his youth and working for Barça Academy, the official training program of FCB in the United States, upon graduation of college. He has since worked as a coach for Tormenta FC academy and Richmond United (Richmond, VA) among others. Gomiero shares a similar story, with a history of volunteer work for the North Carolina Special Olympics and service as a coach for Richmond United.

“When can I play

for the Kickers

with you guys?”

After decades of experience in the industry, Vinyals and Gomiero have developed a mutual commitment to social responsibility within their craft, a calling which came into focus in 2023. The Richmond Kickers hosted an event early in the year in collaboration with RVAccess, a local organization providing children with special needs with the opportunity to engage in soccer activities and with which the founders’ work has continued since. After one of the sessions, Gomiero and Vinyals were asked, “When can I play for the Kickers with you guys?” by one of the athletes. It was in that instant they knew they needed to take action to turn dream into reality. Witnessing the raw joy of the participants ignited in them a desire to give back to the community in a way that is meaningful, lasting, and expansive.