TOPSoccer
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered only through local US Youth Soccer-affiliated soccer clubs. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive.
GLASA will be continuing our TOPSoccer program this spring and will be looking for Players, Buddies, Coaches and Sponsors who care about the special needs players in our communities and are willing to give their talents, time and money.
Registration is now open
Click on the registration link below to register as a TOPSoccer player or Buddy. There is a low charge for the players and Buddy Registration is FREE.
Who can participate in TOPSoccer
TOPSoccer is designed for any child with a disability which may include but is not limited to any of the follow:
- Autism
- Down Syndrome
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Sight or Hearing Impaired
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Additionally, any child who is shy or seems to have a hard time fitting in a regular team environment can join, the idea is to foster inclusion for any child to be able to play soccer.
Fall 2023 Season Info
GLASA will be running our TOPSoccer program on Saturday late afternoons. The events will feature soccer skills, scrimmages, making friends and even playing active games that may not be soccer related.
Registration is open and we are looking for players and buddies. Every player will be paired with a “buddy". The Buddies will be with your players for the entire season in order to form trust and friendship with the player.
Registration for players and buddies is open
It is open to all players of ages and there is a minimal fee for registration ($20) for the season. Buddies register for free.
The first week will be Saturday, September 9th and we will run for seven weeks and be finished by October 21st.
Every new player in the TOPSoccer program will receive a Jersey and Soccer Ball.
Buddies
An important part of the program is that every player will be assigned a Buddy to help them navigate and succeed at the planned activities. The Buddies will be with your players for the entire season in order to form trust and a friendship with the player.
Most buddies will be MS or HS aged kids and will be trained in what they might expect to see and experience in the TOPSoccer program.
For more information on becoming a Buddy, please check out the TOPSoccer Buddy page.
How can I help Topsoccer
One of the goals of TOPSoccer is to provide this program at little or no cost to the participants. Hard costs of the program include, jerseys, balls, shirts, food, water bottles, insurance, field rental, coaching supplies etc. If you or your business is interested in helping sponsor our TOPSoccer program please reach out via email to topsoccer@glasasoccer.org and we will be happy to chat with you about how you can help make this program the best it can be.
Benefits for Participants
- SOCIAL SKILLS - Players interact with their volunteer Buddy and other athletes in a fun, group setting and learn proper social behaviors.
- TEAMWORK - Players learn to trust someone else and rely on them through soccer activities and games.
- PERSEVERANCE - Players might encounter difficulties with activities, but they will be encouraged to keep trying and overcome challenges.
- CONFIDENCE - Players will achieve success on the field that carries over to their lives off the field in so many ways!
Differentiators of TOPSoccer
- Buddies: Each participant is assigned a volunteer, trained ‘Buddy’ who is typically a little older and neurotypical. This Buddy works with their player individually and makes sure they are safe, engaged, supported, and having fun. The player-Buddy relationship is maintained throughout the course of a season, resulting in strong interpersonal bonds and an establishment of trust and confidence that allows each player to achieve their full potential.
- Coaches: TOPSoccer coaches and administrators have taken formal USYS education and certification training that assists them in successfully delivering the program. In addition to providing coaching strategies and tactics specifically for children with special needs, the training identifies the traits of the most common disabilities and provides guidance on how to modify typical soccer practice activities so everyone can be successful.
- Groupings: Players are grouped by ability, not just age, such that they can develop at their own pace and participate amongst others with similar abilities.
Greater Lewisville Area Soccer Association Sponsors
