Inspireum Award Semifinalist: Ryan Williams, HI Rush

Rush Soccer and the Inspireum Soccer Awards are looking for the countries most inspirational players. Among the semifinalists named is Ryan Williams of Hawaii Rush. In 2010, while his Rush select soccer team traveled to Phoenix, Arizona for a soccer showcase, Ryan found himself sitting on the bench in pain more often than showing off his skills on the field. As a child, Ryan was diagnosed with osteochondroma syndrome, often referred to as bone tumors (pictured at right), so pain was not a foreign sense to him. Having known that the tumors would eventually be removed when he grew older, Ryan was determined to play through the pain they caused. Following his first surgery and removal of seven spurs, came two additional surgeries. Ryan is nearing his fourth surgery related to his condition and still remains an active member of his soccer team. He continues to show support and participates in practices as often as possible. Soccer has been, and will always be a big part of Ryan’s life. He says the game “fuels my soul” and that his tumors are just “hurdles I have to get over to go after my dreams”. 

To read more about Ryan and vote for him, please click here.

Finalists are named December 13th so vote often!