"When I wear it, I feel like I'm in the Olympics because I have a medal around me," Case said.

Case received the medal as part of ceremonies involving American Youth Soccer Organization's VIP program for special needs people at the Kirk Banks Tournament in March.

The VIP soccer program, for Very Important Players, is for children and adults who are mentally and/or physically disabled.

"For special kids like this, this may be the only time they can get involved with a team sport," AYSO Section Seven (Hawai'i) Director Mark Stewart said.

Gina McKinley says soccer is fun and therapeutic for her son, Case. Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser

Each district runs its programs in different seasons; some play indoor soccer and others outdoor. Teams within each district play against each other.

Children with special needs are estimated to make up approximately 10 percent of the school-age population, according to the AYSO Web site.

VIP participants register with AYSO, and "we never turn down a kid for financial reasons," said Stewart, who said AYSO can give "scholarships."

For Case, a kindergartner at Sunset Beach Elementary School, it can get tiring running around. To prepare, he had to train on a treadmill, working his way up to 15 minutes.

Gina McKinley describes her son's cerebral palsy as moderate, and said "it's like walking in molasses," and that he expends three times the amount of energy as kids his age to move around.

"I said, 'Yeah, I'm tired, but I still want to go after that ball,' " said Case, who was playing in his first soccer game. "The best part was when I made a goal. I could run around the field a lot and kick the ball."

Gina watched from the sidelines, shooting pictures from almost every angle.

"It's so nice to see him running around with other kids," she said. "It's play for him, but it's also therapy.

"He's always been watching his brother. When he knew it was his turn, he was so excited. He went to bed early so he could get a good night's sleep. He's going to think he's a superstar. I know he's going to be talking about this forever."

Kalaheo freshman Tiannen Williams, 14, a member of the Nalu Ikaika soccer team, was Case's "buddy" at the Kirk Banks Tournament.

"It was kind of inspiring, watching him, because he didn't give up as much times as he fell," Williams said. "It taught me to be grateful for what I have."

Williams' response is one VIP organizers hope will spread: that the participants are not the only ones getting something out of the program; volunteers, coaches, referees and parents benefit as well.

One parent who became involved with the program years ago, Stephen Street, is now the Diamond Head coordinator/director. He watched his son Ethan make his rounds around the gathering of players, hugging some, calling others by name.

Ethan Street, 28, has Down syndrome and has been a part of the VIP program for 10 years.

He would stop his socializing only long enough to say he participates in the VIP Program because, "I like it."

"It's great exercise, and he's watched his younger brother and sister play for a lot of years," Stephen Street said. "When he first got his uniform, he took it and treasured it, and was like, 'Now I'm a real soccer player, too.' "

The Streets were introduced to the VIP program through their involvement with Special Olympics, where Ethan Street competes in track and field, weightlifting, softball and soccer.

"I think he probably likes soccer more than anything else," Stephen Street said. "He spends most of the swim season asking when we're going to start soccer."

For more information, go to www.aysosection7.org or call Hawai'i's AYSO hotline at (808) 247-1422.