TOPSoccer Offers a Fun and Educational Soccer Program for Kids With Physical or Mental Challenges
Youth Soccer News: Children in New Jersey with physical and mental challenges have a destination to play soccer every week, just like any other child. New Jersey Youth Soccer’s TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) promotes the fun and social engagement of the game by bringing families, athletes, coaches and volunteers together to practice and play the “beautiful game.”
Currently, New Jersey Youth Soccer has about 300 children and more than 350 coaches and volunteers involved in club-based programs throughout the state. Designed and introduced by U.S. Youth Soccer, the first New Jersey program was launched by the Mount Laurel United Soccer Association in 1998.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer helps young athletes with disabilities all across America and each state soccer association has its own program organized by youth soccer association volunteers. TOPSoccer brings the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. The goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family.
New Jersey’s TOPSoccer program provides a step-by-step training and activity curriculum, including free training and mentoring to affiliated organizations. The emphasis is centered on individual player development, training, and meaningful participation, rather than competition and winning.
What is the value of soccer for youth players with challenges? Children with disabilities have the same need and desire for physical activities as any other child. The beautiful game is the great equalizer and provides opportunities for players of all levels to enjoy the sport and share the passion.
TOPSoccer focuses on all these goals through (adapted) soccer activities in a supportive, non-competitive, fun and socially-engaging atmosphere. Recreational activities and organized sports for children with special needs encourages:
- Physical fitness and avoidance of childhood obesity
- Peer socialization and being part of a team
- Mental and emotional fitness
New Jersey Youth Soccer recently partnered with Just One Soccer League in Newark for a Jamboree event that included a TOPSoccer coach and buddy training program followed by a player event for children at the Waterfront Gymnasium. Youth coaches from the New York Red Bulls, a NJ Youth Soccer training partner, also joined in the fun and donated their time and expertise. In total, more than 50 attendees participated in the day-long celebration of soccer. Other generous event donors included adidas, Sky Blue FC, JAG Physical Therapy and Topps Trading Cards.
“Youth soccer in Newark is extremely popular and it’s important that we offer programs that include all the children in our community,” said Oscar Rodriguez, executive director of Newark-based Just One Soccer League. “TOPSoccer focuses on soccer engagement for our challenged children who look forward to playing with their group every week, just like their siblings.”
Training and support provided by NJ Youth Soccer’s specially-trained staff
“TOPSoccer instructor trainings and player jamborees help our children with special needs to improve physical literacy, fitness and, most importantly, self-esteem,” said Rick Meana, NJ Youth Soccer’s director of coaching. “Through the volunteerism of many parents and coaches, we’re cultivating programs that can enable young athletes with disabilities to enjoy playing in a safe and healthy learning environment.” Coach Rick says that working with TOPSoccer players is no different than coaching and training players in mainstream soccer programs. “The key words are fun, patience and understanding.”
Auke Wiersma, an instructor with the NJ Youth Soccer Coaching Schools specializing in TOPSoccer advises, “When a soccer organization is considering starting this program, some worry they are going to make a mistake. But they can depend on strong training and support from those of us who have already launched programs in other communities here in New Jersey. With planning and club support, your group can be up and running fairly quickly and everyone feels like a winner─ players, families, coaches and volunteers.”
New Jersey Youth Soccer is comprised of more than 156,000 players from 5 to 19-years-old; 40,000+ coaches; and thousands of volunteers. To learn more about TOPSoccer and how to establish a program in your community, visit www.njyouthsoccer.com.
New programs are launching statewide – please click here for more information on how you can participate or establish a program in your community in New Jersey. To discover more about TOPSoccer in America please visit US Youth Soccer.
