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Health & Fitness

German Soccer Star Adds to 'Spirit' at Rockville Retirement Community

Veteran German soccer star Conny Pohlers recently became the third Washington Spirit player to move into Ingleside at King Farm (IKF), a continuing care retirement community in Rockville, Md. The 34-year-old Pohlers joined the professional women’s soccer team last month and has joined her new teammates, Diana Matheson and Robyn Gayle, at Ingleside at King Farm, which they have called home since March.

This past season Pohlers helped her home club, VfL Wolfsburg, capture the German Bundesliga, German Cup and European titles, en route becoming the all-time leader in goals scored in European competition. The native of Halle, Germany, was a longtime member of her national team, winning the 2003 Women’s World Cup and 2005 European championship. She is on loan to the Spirit for the rest of the NWSL season. Pohlers arrived at IKF on June 18, 2012.

The unique housing situation solves a common dilemma for professional women athletes who often struggle to find affordable housing on their modest salaries.

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“Despite the age differences, it’s been amazing how smoothly Diana and Robyn have transitioned into the community,” says Marilyn Leist, Ingleside at King Farm’s executive director. “Both these young athletes and our members learn from each other.”

The intergenerational living arrangement has created a whole new soccer fan club plus given these young athletes a safe home with a family atmosphere. One resident, an avid soccer fan attends all their games. A large banner in the community says "Ingleside at King Farm Has Got the Spirit" and sports the team logo.  The retirement community is even sponsoring an upcoming game and taking a bus of fans to the Maryland SoccerPlex for the July 10, 7:30pm face off with the Chicago Red Stars. Around 200 staff, residents and family members plan to cheer the Washington Spirit on to victory.

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Ingleside opened in March 2009, with 246 independent living apartments, and is almost sold out and accepting wait-list reservations on select apartment styles. Visit their website at inglesidekingfarm.org or call Christen Bradshaw, 240-499-9019 for more information.

Ingleside is a not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community that holds the needs and wants of its members front and center. The community offers a signature cultural arts program and offers amenities that appeal to the community’s intelligent, informed and engaged members. When the needs or situations of members change, a full continuum of care is available on site.

 Kimberly Hartke of AllHealth PR is a publicist for Ingleside at King Farm. 


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