Cincinnati CP Soccer Partnership with the Mount’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Cincinnati CP Soccer, launched in 2022 through The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation by Christy Heinrich and Brenna Lonnemann, has grown from just five athletes to more than 50 participants, with 20–25 attending each season. Offering spring and fall programs in Newtown and additional sessions at Mount St. Joseph University, the program focuses on meeting each athlete where they are—building skills, confidence, and community. In 2024, Cincinnati and Chicago CP Soccer created the Midwest CP Soccer Showcase to give athletes a true club-style experience, bringing together nearly 40 players from multiple cities for training, connection, and competition. Supported by dedicated MSJ DPT student volunteers, the environment has become a meaningful space where athletes feel understood, encouraged, and celebrated.
“Cincinnati CP Soccer started in Spring 2022 through The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation, led by myself (Christy Heinrich) and Brenna Lonnemann. It began with just 5 athletes and has grown a ton over the past few years. We’ve now had over 50 kids come through the program, with about 20-25 consistently attending each season. We run 6-week spring and fall seasons with weekly practices in Newtown, OH, and also offer a few winter and summer sessions at the Mount St. Joseph University Fieldhouse (which the families absolutely love). One of the biggest things for us is meeting each player exactly where they are. Some are brand new to soccer, others are more advanced, but all of them are supported, challenged, and celebrated. It’s really about so much more than soccer. You see confidence grow, friendships form, and kids just getting to be themselves in a space where they feel comfortable and accepted.
The Midwest CP Soccer Showcase started in 2024 as a collaboration between Cincinnati and Chicago CP Soccer, with Chicago hosting the first event. The goal was to give these athletes a true club soccer-type experience - something that often isn’t accessible to them.
This year, we hosted at Mount St. Joseph University and had 39 athletes (ages 5–17) from 8 different cities. It was a really special two days. Saturday included a practice session at the Fieldhouse followed by dinner and a social event at Joe Lion’s Grille, and then Sunday was another session with a skills showcase and a lot of scrimmaging. Honestly, what stands out most isn’t just the soccer - it’s the environment. For a lot of these kids, this is one of the only places where they don’t feel different. They’re surrounded by other athletes who just get it. You could see it in how quickly they connected, how comfortable they were, and just the pure joy across the board. It’s competitive, but it’s also incredibly meaningful on a personal level.
I am an assistant professor in the MSJ DPT program so a partnership with the students is very simple, but it is a huge part of what makes everything work. At every single session, we have 3–5 DPT students volunteering, and they consistently fill those spots without hesitation. And it’s not just that they show up – they show up. They bring so much energy and patience, and they genuinely connect with the kids. They’re down at eye level with them, celebrating the smallest wins, helping when things get frustrating, and just making each kid feel seen and supported. Some students have been to almost every practice since starting in the program, which has led to really meaningful relationships with the players and families.
From our perspective, they’re so much more than volunteers, they become role models and some of the kids’ biggest supporters. And on the flip side, it’s such a valuable experience for the students too. It gives them real, hands-on exposure and a reminder of why they chose this profession in the first place. You can really feel the impact of that partnership in every session. It’s in the relationships, the energy, and the overall experience for everyone involved.” Christina Heinrich, PT, DPT, OCS, Assistant Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy
A huge thank-you to Christy, Brenna, our incredible MSJ DPT students, and the entire Cincinnati CP Soccer community for making this program and event truly special.