A Vision Rooted in Personal Experience
Monterey Bay FC midfielder Nick Ross is turning his love of the game into a community project that will soon welcome children who experience the world a little differently.
Together with his wife Adriana Ross, a special‑education professional with a decade of classroom experience, Ross is launching Uniquely United Soccer, an eight‑week adaptive program that begins on September 7 after a successful pilot.
The camp is tailored for children with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome and other developmental or intellectual disabilities, offering a space where they can learn soccer fundamentals while building communication skills.
Each session accommodates only six participants, ensuring individualized attention and a low‑pressure environment that emphasizes fun over competition.
Registration opens on August 10 at 10 a.m., with families who submitted an interest form receiving early access 48 hours before the general public.
The city of Seaside helped secure a venue for the program and has expressed enthusiasm for collaborating on future community initiatives.
Uniquely United Soccer is also seeking volunteers, donated equipment and sponsorships to fund scholarship slots, ensuring that financial barriers do not exclude any child.
Organizers stress that no prior soccer experience or formal diagnosis is required; the only prerequisite is a willingness to participate and enjoy the game.
Beyond the field, the program aims to foster a sense of belonging, giving neurodivergent youth a team identity and a supportive community that extends beyond the final whistle.