Greater Lewisville Area Soccer Association
Greater Lewisville Area Soccer Association
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational program designed for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities. Offered exclusively through US Youth Soccer-affiliated clubs, TOPSoccer creates a safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive environment where players of all abilities can experience the joy of the game.
This fall, GLASA is proud to continue our Empower TOPSoccer program, and we’re looking for:
♦Players – with diverse abilities, ready to enjoy the game
♦Buddies – volunteers who assist and support players on the field
♦Coaches – compassionate leaders to guide and inspire
♦Sponsors – community partners willing to contribute time, talent, or financial support
If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of special needs athletes, we invite you to join us in this meaningful effort.
♥Together, we empower through soccer.
Click on the registration link below to register as a Empower TOPSoccer Player or Buddy. There is a low charge for the Players, and Buddy Registration is FREE.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Down Syndrome
Muscular Dystrophy
Cerebral Palsy
Visual or Hearing Impairments
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Additionally, any child who may be shy, socially anxious, or has difficulty fitting into a traditional team setting is welcome. The goal of TOPSoccer is to foster inclusion and provide every player the opportunity to enjoy the game of soccer in a positive and empowering environment.
GLASA is excited to continue our Empower TOPSoccer program this fall!
Sessions will be held on Saturday late afternoons, beginning September 12th and running through October 17th (6-week program).
Each session will include:
Fun soccer skill activities
Friendly scrimmages
Inclusive social games (some non-soccer related!)
A focus on building friendships, confidence, and community
Open to individuals of all ages with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities
$20 registration fee for the full season
All new players will receive a jersey and soccer ball
An important part of the Empower TOPSoccer program is our Buddy System. Every player is paired one-on-one with a dedicated Buddy for the entire season. This relationship helps players feel supported, included, and confident as they participate in each session.
What is a Buddy?
Buddies are volunteer partners who:
Are paired one-on-one with a player
Support, assist, and encourage their player during all activities
Help players navigate the sessions with patience and positivity
Build a trusting friendship throughout the season
Who Can Be a Buddy?
Most Buddies are middle school or high school students
No prior soccer experience is needed
All Buddies receive basic training to understand how to best support their player
Must commit to all 6 weeks of the program to ensure consistency and trust
Buddy Registration is FREE!
One of the core goals of the TOPSoccer program is to ensure participation is accessible to all players by keeping registration costs low or completely free. To achieve this, we rely on generous sponsors and community partners.
Your support helps cover essential program costs such as:
Jerseys and soccer balls
Buddy and coach t-shirts
Snacks and water bottles
Field rental and insurance
Coaching and activity supplies
If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the Empower TOPSoccer program, we would love to connect with you.
Together, we can make this program the best it can be—creating lasting memories, friendships, and opportunities for every player to thrive.
Empower TOPSoccer helps players grow on and off the field. Each session is designed to build meaningful skills that extend beyond the game:
◊ Social Skills
Players interact with their Buddy and fellow athletes in a fun, group setting—learning teamwork, communication, and positive social behaviors.
◊Teamwork
Through soccer activities and games, players learn to trust others, share responsibility, and celebrate group success.
◊Perseverance
Challenges are met with encouragement. Players are supported to keep trying, overcome obstacles, and experience the joy of progress.
◊Confidence
Every success on the field—no matter how small—helps boost self-esteem that carries into school, home, and daily life.
Each player is paired with a trained volunteer Buddy—typically an older, neurotypical peer.
Buddies work one-on-one with their assigned player for the entire season to ensure they are:
Safe
Engaged
Supported
Having fun
This consistent pairing fosters trust, confidence, and friendship, allowing each player to thrive and reach their full potential in a supportive environment.
All Empower TOPSoccer coaches and administrators have completed formal US Youth Soccer (USYS) education and certification, specifically designed for working with athletes with special needs.
Coach training includes:
Strategies for adapting soccer drills to a variety of abilities
Techniques for engaging children with different learning styles
Guidance on how to support players with common disabilities (e.g., autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, etc.)
A focus on creating inclusive, fun, and developmentally appropriate soccer experiences for all
Players are grouped by ability level, not just age.
This ensures that:
Each child can develop at their own pace
Activities are both challenging and achievable
All players participate in a setting where they feel comfortable, supported, and successful