Power soccer unites disabled community

Steven W. Hirsch, an associate professor of classics at Tufts University, was paralyzed 16 years ago by an autoimmune disease. Determined to find a way to continue enjoying the passions he loved before he became bound to a wheelchair, Hirsch now coaches and plays with a “power soccer’’ team. Power soccer is played inside gyms on motorized wheelchairs.

Power soccer is played between two teams of four players. Each player is in a motorized wheelchair equipped with bumpers.A power soccer ball rested on the floor of the Tobin Community Center during a game between the Boston Brakers and the Sudbury Sharp Shooters.

Hirsch, who coaches and plays with the Boston Brakers, spoke with fellow players Joe D’Apice (left) and Matt Pellegrino during a break in a power soccer game against the Sudbury Sharpshooters.

From left, Boston Brakers players Jerry Boyd, Cezary Nalaskowski, Hirsch, and Eric McCall talked before a power soccer game against the Sudbury Sharpshooters.

Hirsch says he started having dreams of playing soccer, a sport he loved since he was 12, about a year after his paralysis. “These dreams were so vivid, so real,’’ he says. “I just couldn’t dismiss them.’’Pictured: Hirsch gave his fellow players a pep talk during the half-time break.

Two years ago, Hirsch attended a state-sponsored event for people with disabilities and learned that many sports – such as skiing, sailing, and soccer – can be adapted for people in wheelchairs.Pictured: Hirsch and his Boston Braker teammate Boyd faced off against Sam Safford, 15, (second from left) and Ben Safford, 17 (far right) of the Sudbury Sharp Shooters.

When he first learned about power soccer, Hirsch joined the Sudbury Sharp Shooters. The team was made up of teenagers, but Hirsch said they “were willing to let an old guy play with them.’’ During his time with the Shooters, Hirsch learned everything from spacial dynamics to ebb and flow to good wheelchair timing.Pictured: Hirsch fought for the ball with Safford during the game.

Hirsch and Safford fought for the ball while Braker’s player McCall waited to see what happened next.

“The thing about power soccer is everyone playing has a wide range of disabilities, and everyone has a story,’’ says Hirsch.Pictured: Hirsch and the rest of the Brakers players acknowledged the efforts of the Shooters during the post-game handshake.