Cain’s more than able

By Ben Hope
A PASSION for all things soccer has already earned 37-year-old Cain Ludecke a place to represent his state in four national Special Olympic Games.
Cain’s mum Marge said the Manchester United fan refuses to let his Down syndrome hold him back as he trains for an hour and a half most days, either on the soccer field or in the gym.
“Cain is really committed to the sport, he lives and breathes soccer,” Mrs Ludecke said.
“It has also given him a purpose in life. He has met a lot of friends and learnt important life skills through travel and competing in a number of events.”
Cain started playing soccer 21 years ago, after a friend suggested he get involved in the Special Olympics. He has been a member of the Doveton Special Soccer School where he has trained twice a week since it was established in 1992.
“Neither of us had played soccer before and didn’t know much about it other than from watching a couple of games on TV,” Mrs Ludecke said.
“Cain took to it straight away.”
As well as the social benefits of soccer, Mrs Ludecke said the sport also offers health benefits to people with a mental disability.
“Cain was overweight when he started but playing soccer has slimmed him right down with all the running and work in the gym,” she said.
“It was his decision to start putting in the extra work and now he has his own gym at home.”
Doveton Special Soccer School coach Juan Carlos Loyola said he was proud of the commitment Cain put in to his sport.
“As a coach you are always looking for a player who will work hard and Cain does just that,” Loyola said.
“He may be the oldest member in the team but he is really fit and I know he is always prepared to give 110 per cent.
“Everyone in the club loves him and he is always ready to help his team-mates.”
Cain will join a nine person team from the Doveton Special Soccer Club at the games, with another nine players from the Wangaratta Special School making up the rest of the two seven-person Victorian teams.
“During the games players will be selected for the Australian team to travel to Greece for the 2011 Special Olympic Games,” Loyola said.
“I am hoping there will be a few members from Doveton in that team.”
As the Doveton Special Soccer School chairperson, Mrs Ludecke said the school is always looking for more volunteers as well as sponsors for the events.
“All the travel can get expensive but thankfully the Cardinia Shire Council has also been generous in giving us $200 towards travel expenses to help Cain make it to Adelaide,” she said.