TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities. Developed by US Youth Soccer, TOPSoccer provides an opportunity for those with diverse abilities to play the game in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive and inclusive.
Below is an email from a parent with the TOPSoccer Program at Valley Soccer Club:
“As a parent, bringing your special needs child to any number of various events can quickly turn into an anxiety provoking uncomfortable situation for everyone. I would like to tell everyone that last weekend went amazing. It was clearly thought out, there were no long lines, the buddies were fabulous and most importantly everyone had fun!! In talking with other parents, I learned that this program is in its second year. I would have never guessed! So thank you to each and every one of you who puts time aside to help run the TOPSoccer Program. It means so much to so many of us and our children.”
TOPSoccer Information
CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson: Bill Fallon (coachbill01@comcast.net)
- TOPSoccer – Sharing The Beautiful Game
- TOPSoccer – CJSA Leadership Workshop
- TOPSoccer – Information Guide
- TOPSoccer – Buddy Mentor Guidelines
TOPSoccer Contacts
- National Chairperson – Bob Riggs (rriggs@kansasyouthsoccer.org)
- State Chairperson – Bill Fallon (coachbill01@comcast.net) | (203) 415-8812
- Central District – Martha Sanders (martha.sanders@quinnipiac.edu) | (203) 415-5913
- North Central District – Tom Hayden (thayden01@comcast.net) | (860) 729-4792
- Northeast District – TBA
- Northwest District – Robert Wheeler (rogwhee@sbcglobal.net) | (860) 263-2202
- South Central District – Bill Fallon (coachbill01@comcast.net) | (203) 415-8812
- Southeast District – John Lehet (lehet@advreason.com) | (860) 442-6441
- Southwest District – Kyle Dedrick, Sean Dedrick (kdedrick8@gmail.com)
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.