What we are providing
TOPSoccer (the outreach program for soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, ages 4 - 20, who has a mental and/or physical special need. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with special needs to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family. This program is provided to the parents of special needs children at no cost to the family.
TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement, which is, in part, "to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth through the sport of soccer at ALL levels of age and competition." There are thousands of children with special needs who need the opportunity to play soccer through the TOPSoccer program.
The results are dramatic. Parents of children with special needs are amazed at the positive impact playing soccer has on their child's self-esteem. And, as a result of playing TOPSoccer, children enjoy the camaraderie of team sports hearing the cheers of proud parents, sisters, brothers and friends on the sidelines. It can be a life-changing experience. TOPSoccer also benefits the "buddy" volunteers. TOPSoccer pairs up a young player with a special needs child to assist each child in learning and playing the game. In many cases, these young volunteers begin performing better in school and look forward to their TOPSoccer activities as much as their regular games.
Objectives:
- To provide an opportunity to children with special needs to play soccer through rule and equipment adaptations
- Place equal emphasis on socialization, playing soccer and physical fitness
- Placement of players by ability, not age
- Highlight players' ability rather than their special needs
Benefits:
- Development of motor skills
- Promote social skills by teaching teamwork and cooperation
- Provides safe participation and fair play
- Develops positive self concepts through experiences in discipline, initiative and achievement, which encourage children to fully realize their potential
- Have fun and more fun!
Buddy Volunteers
Fountainbleau and Mandeville High School Key Clubs, Fountainebleau and Mandeville Junior High Builder's Clubs members, parents of special needs children and anyone interested is welcome to volunteer.
Equipment Available
- soccer balls sizes #3, #4 & #5
- Jumbo soccer balls for wheelchair bound
- Bell and beeper soccer balls for visually impaired
- KickSpots for audible kick response
- Smaller fields and portable goals
For more information, contact Coach Jim Nader at jpn@lcba-law.com.
