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A Great Day of Inclusion at the Blind Soccer Expo!

Lions Services
A Great Day of Inclusion at the Blind Soccer Expo!

What an incredible day at the Blind Soccer Expo! We were thrilled to see such a great turnout as community members of all ages came together to experience the excitement of blind soccer.

This event was made possible through the strong partnership between Blind Soccer Nation, Carolina Ascent, and Lions Services. Together, we created an opportunity for people who are blind, low vision, and sighted to learn, play, and connect through the game of soccer. Partnerships like these are what make inclusive events possible and help build a stronger, more connected community.

A special thank you to Antoine Craig, U.S. Paralympian and U.S. Blind Soccer National Team member, for leading the training sessions and sharing his expertise and passion with participants. His encouragement and hands-on instruction inspired everyone to experience blind soccer in a fun, welcoming environment.

Thank you to all of our volunteers, supporters, and participants for making this event such a success. We look forward to continuing to grow adaptive sports opportunities and showing that when organizations work together, everyone wins.

Moments from the Expo

From behind, a Blind Soccer Nation coach in a light blue shirt faces players on a green turf field under a sunny sky.
Coaches and athletes take the field.
Participants and coaches gather on the turf during a blind soccer training drill, with goals and trees in the background.
Hands-on instruction throughout the day.
Antoine Craig, wearing a yellow eyeshade and light blue Blind Soccer Nation kit, claps while coaching on the turf field.
Antoine Craig leading with energy and encouragement.
Athletes and coaches form a circle on the soccer field as a player dribbles near the goal during the Blind Soccer Expo.
Skill, communication, and teamwork on the pitch.
Two participants practice with a soccer ball on green turf while others look on during the Blind Soccer Expo.
Learning the game one touch at a time.
Team photo on the turf: Antoine Craig stands with Carolina Ascent and Blind Soccer Nation athletes in a line after training.
Partners and players, side by side.
Volunteers and partners smile under a Carolina Ascent tent beside a Lions Services table at the Blind Soccer Expo.
Lions Services, Carolina Ascent, and Blind Soccer Nation together.
A large circle of participants listens to coaching on the turf field with a soccer goal and trees behind them.
A full day of connection on the field.
Five participants in white shirts stand in a circle wearing eyeshades while a coach demonstrates with soccer balls at their feet.
Sighted participants experience the game with eyeshades.
Two athletes stand on the orange field line with a pink audible soccer ball between them during training.
The audible ball is central to blind soccer.
Players and coaches gather near the sideline on a sunny turf field at the Blind Soccer Expo.
Community members of all ages joined in.
A participant in a white shirt and cap celebrates with arms raised on the field while another person films with a microphone.
Moments of joy captured throughout the expo.

Want the full event details from before the day? Read our press release: Charlotte Blind Soccer Expo — July 18, 2026.

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