Welcome 2026 Project Inspire Soccer Teams!

Athletes Without Limits is excited to partner with Project Inspire to help launch
the first US soccer league to for high performance players with intellectual disabilities!
The application below is for players already on a Project Inspire Soccer Team.
Other soccer players with intellectual impairments interested in playing should reach out to Project Inspire!

GET READY!

The Inspire League requires players to confirm their National eligibility in any of three Virtus Sport groups below:

• II1-Intellectual Disability
  (IQ of 75 or lower, Adaptive Behavior Domain of 70 or lower in one or more areas, and onset before age 22)
• II2-Down Syndrome
• II3-Autism Open (for those not in the II1 group above)

GET SET!

We recommend player’s and their parent or legal guardian complete the application together for privacy and to electronically sign release forms. Things to have handy before you begin (depending on your diagnosis):

1. Athlete Headshot
2. Passport or State ID
3. School IEP Report 
4. Intellectual Disability Diagnosis Reports with IQ score & Adaptive Behavior scores
   
5. Autism Diagnosis Reports 
6. Down syndrome genetic report or medical record showing type
7. Down syndrome past neck x-ray doctor reports for AAI screening

GO!

BEGIN NEW PLAYER APPLICATION FORM

Need to add some information to your previously submitted application?
SUBMIT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can a Coach complete the online application?

  We highly recommend athletes and their parent or legal guardian work on their individual online application together since signatures are needed which can be electronically signed and all documents can be uploaded in a private HIPAA-compliant form.

  In the rare situation where a Team Coach needs to assist you can select that option on the application form.
  Gather the necessary attachments and enter all the information you can on the form.
  We’ll then generate a filled in PDF copy of the Application that you’ll need to have the athlete and their parent/guardian sign later.

• What information is collected each section of the Application?

  Part 1: Application Contact
  Part 2: Athlete Information
  Part 3: Diagnosis & Evidence
  Part 4: Parent/Guardian Information
  Part 5: Athlete/Parent Release Forms & Electronic Signatures

• How do I submit more information after I've submitted my application?

  You can use our quick one page Additional Uploads Form
  This allows you to get us extra information in a hipaa-friendly way : )

• What reports are needed for players with Intellectual Disability?

  Players with Intellectual Disability including Autism with Intellectual Disability need to provide psychological reports with IQ and Adaptive Behavior assessments. that show IQ of 75 or lower & significant limitations in at least one domain in Adaptive Behavior (with onset before age 22).

  National Eligibility required to play in the Project Inspire League can usually be confirmed using a wider range of previous assessments such as: WISC, WAIS, Stanford Binet, CTONI-2, KAIT, KBIT-2, Leiter-3, RIAS, SIT-R3, TONI-4, UNIT, etc for IQ. And ABAS or Vineland for Adaptive Behavior (BASC can also be helpful).

  International Eligibility needed for future selection to US National Soccer Teams competing at Virtus events requires Internationally-accepted IQ and Adaptive Behavior assessments given within the last 5 years. For IQ Virtus accepts WISC, WAIS, or Stanford Binet (short WASI is not accepted). For Adaptive Behavior Virtus accepts: ABAS, Vineland, or AAMR.

• What reports are needed for players with Down Syndrome?

  Because it’s known that intellectual disability is associated with Down syndrome, players with Down Syndrome (Trisomy21 or Translocation) can provide a copy of their cytogenetic blood test from birth and a copy of their previous neck X-ray report for Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI).

  Players will need to have their doctor sign the Virtus AAI Release form. This will be emailed to you after you submit your initial online application (or you can download it here to get a head start!)

• What reports are needed for players with Autism?

  Because cognitive and Adaptive impairment can very for people with Autism, approximately 60% will be eligible for the (II1) Intellectual Disability group and 40% the (II3) Autism group.

  Players with Autism who have an IQ of 75 or lower may choose to apply for eligibility in the II1 group for Intellectual Disability by providing the required IQ and Adaptive Behavior assessments for that group. See “What reports are needed for players with Intellectual Disability” above for details on what is needed for II1 National vs II1 International events.

  National Eligibility in the II3 Autism group required to play in the Project Inspire League only requires assessments and evidence that show a formal diagnosis of Autism. The report from your original diagnosis and/or IEP confirming your Autism diagnosis are usually all that is needed for National events.

  International Eligibility in the II3 Autism group for future Virtus events requires providing a report (either a past report or a new one confirming the ASD diagnosis) that uses one of the following Autism diagnostic assessments:

  • AAA (Adult Asperger Assessment)
  • ADOS/ADOS2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
  • ADR-I (Autistic Diagnostic Interview – Revised)
  • ASRS Autism Spectrum Rating Scales
  • CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale)
  • DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders Framework)
  • GARS (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale)
  • RIMLAND (Autism Diagnostic Instrument)
  • ISAA (Indian Scale – ages 2-9 only)

• Will I need to get new assessments?

  Some players may need to arrange to have new IQ and/or Adaptive Behavior assessments (Vineland or ABAS) with a local psychologist in order to confirm either National or full Virtus International eligibility. Your local Soccer Team may be able to help make arrangements in your area. Athletes should apply with documentation from previous and most recent reports and we’ll let you know if new assessments will be needed. Please give your psychologist a copy of our GUIDELINES FOR PSYCHOLOGIST PDF

• What is the review timeline?

  It can take up to 4 weeks to hear back from us. Applications for the Soccer league have different review windows depending on where we are in the Season. 
  Once you hit ‘submit’ Athletes Without Limits will review your application and will email the application contact to let you know if any additional information is needed.

  If an athlete is selected for an International Team we’ll submit their application to Virtus for confirmation.
  It can take an additional 4-12 weeks to hear back from Virtus International.

• What if I have additional questions?

  We’ve tried to make our online application self-explanatory and recommend you start the application to see if your question gets answered as you go.

  If you still have trouble please first contact Project Inspire League leadership through Team Channels or the Project Inspire website.