By Mark Ambrogi
Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear will be leaning heavily on his soccer background in the Mayors’ Cup.
Ditslear will join Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook and Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt to compete with the five United States National Power Soccer Team members from the Indianapolis area in the Mayors’ Cup from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 16 at the Grand Park Fieldhouse in Westfield.
Athletes use power wheelchairs to play soccer indoors on a basketball court-size court. Following the Mayors’ Cup, the United States Power Soccer Association MK Battery Conference Cup Series will be held at Grand Park Fieldhouse June 16 through 18. There is no admission cost.
“Being a part of the Mayors’ Cup is important to me to raise awareness of the sport and the athletes who participate,” Ditslear said. “I appreciate the opportunity it provides children to compete competitively, or for fun, and feel the camaraderie of being on a team.”
There will be two mayors with two wheelchair athletes joining them on each team. Funds raised with donations will help support the athletes’ trip to play in the World Cup in Kissimmee, Fla., July 5 through 9.
“As far as training, I’m relying on the years of coaching and my experiences of being on the sidelines of youth soccer games,” Ditslear said. “Since we are taking on the Team USA members, I’m not sure what chance we stand as they are very talented. You can practice penalty kicks all day, but it’s different when Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is on the other side of the field.”
Tom Dickey, who served as Director of Community Development for Fishers from 2012 to 2015, has two children, Katie and Jordan, on the World Cup team for the U.S. Dickey coaches their Power Soccer team called RHI Sudden Impact.
“With the Mayors’ Cup event on the first evening of the USPSA Cup Championships, we hope not just to raise needed money to support athletes with disabilities, but also to spread awareness of the sport,” Dickey said “The sport can have a transformative impact on lives of children with physical disabilities that prevent them from playing other competitive sports. I have seen it firsthand with my children.
Katie, 26, attends Indiana University law school in Indianapolis. Jordan, 24, lives in Pendleton with his parents and is in an MBA program at the University of Indianapolis. The other Cup players from the Indianapolis area are Natalie Russo, Carmel, Case Calvert, Indianapolis and Michael Archer, Greenwood.
