Program Description

Northern Triad's TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community based soccer program for athletes with special needs ages 5 and older with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities. The emphasis of this program is on development, training, and meaningful participation, rather than competition. Athletes are placed on teams according to ability NOT by age. TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the USYSA’s mission statement, which is “to foster the physical, mental, and emotional growth and development through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and abilities”. Our goal is to enable these athletes with disabilities to develop their physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self-esteem, through the joy and excitement of playing soccer. The program is structured in a way that players are assigned a “soccer buddy” and are grouped by age or ability and work through stations on the field with the focus on “FUN".

Age/Gender

TOPSoccer athletes are ages 5 and older with a disability including but not limited to:  Autism, Hearing Impaired, Sight Impaired, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Seizure Disorder and Spinal Bifida. Program is open to both Boys and Girls.

Soccer Buddies

Soccer Buddies play a major role in the TOPSoccer Program. Soccer buddies are enablers, they are volunteers who participate with TOPSoccer players to enable player participation. Buddies can be teenagers, soccer players, someone who works with special needs children or someone who has no soccer experience, but has a strong desire to enable TOPSoccer players to be successful and have fun.

For more information about soccer buddies please click on Roles of Soccer Buddy.

Soccer Buddies will be required to complete the Soccer Buddy Application FOUND HERE and Commitment form and Risk management which can be FOUND HERE and email to TOPSoccer Director Bobby Ashworth [email protected].

Dates

 

Registration

Online Registration Opens Tuesday 12th September, the program is totally free. Walk up registration is avaliable on the first TOPsoccer Session.