Empowering Amputee Football

South America's First Amputee Women's Soccer Camp Opens

The camp was the first of its kind ever held in South America for female amputee players. Before this week, no organized regional training existed for women in the sport. Yakima Herald reported that players came from 10 different countries to take part. For many, it was their first time training alongside other women who play amputee soccer.

The sport is played on crutches. Players who have lost a leg use forearm crutches to run, sprint and shoot. Goalkeepers have one arm. The game follows rules similar to regular soccer but is adapted for athletes with limb differences, Bakersfield reported.

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Elite Athletes From the U.S. Led the Week's Coaching

The camp was led by coaches and elite players from the U.S. Women's National Amputee Soccer Team. They brought world-class experience to a region just beginning to build its competitive base. According to Our Midland, sessions covered balance, coordination and movement on crutches — the core skills players need to compete.

Players also trained in ball control, set pieces like corner kicks and free kicks, team tactics and the official rules of amputee soccer. Journal News reported that coaches worked with women at varying skill levels, from beginners to more experienced players.

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From a Distance, They Look Like Any Other Soccer Team

Bakersfield captured the scene vividly: from a distance, the women running sprints, taking corner kicks and dribbling past defenders looked like any other soccer team. Up close, the crutches and missing limbs told a different story — one of resilience and determination. For many players, this camp was a chance to be seen as athletes first.

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Poland 2027 Now a Real Goal for South American Nations

The 2027 Women's Amputee Football World Cup in Poland is now the target for all 10 nations represented at the camp. South America has had little presence in the women's amputee game at the global level. This camp is designed to change that. Greenwich Time noted that the region is now building the foundation it needs to compete internationally.

Organizers hope the Santa Cruz camp is just the start. More training events and national team development programs are expected to follow as countries work toward qualifying for Poland. The 2027 tournament gives these players a clear, concrete goal to work toward, Beaumont Enterprise reported.

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