TOPSoccer

Making a Difference

What is TOPSoccer?

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a national recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered through local soccer clubs. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive.

Organized locally by MIFC, this unique program enables players to participate in community activities with peers and to grow emotionally and physically over the shared joy of playing soccer. In addition to the players, TOPSoccer also has buddy mentors to support players on the field. The buddies are typically MIFC players, but they do not need to be soccer players to help. Please reach out if you are interested in being a buddy!

The program is 6-8 weeks long and runs in the Spring and in the Fall on Mercer Island. For each player, the program cost covers equipment, coaches, and fields. There is no charge for siblings or buddies. Players can register and play at any point during the season.

TOPSoccer Registration Contact MIFC TOPSoccer Flyer

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.

Why do we need a TOPSoccer Program?

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 disabilities who need and can be provided with, the opportunity to play soccer through the TOPSoccer program.