Tops
TOPSoccer
Vision
TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, beginning at age 6, who has a mental or physical disability. Our goal is to enable the local young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer Family. It has been organized locally by LBYSO volunteers and is networked together with the California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA-S).
Modifications are made to the game to allow full participation and enjoyment to each child. A successful TOPSoccer program has the following:
• Placement of players by ability not age
• Highlight players’ ability rather than their disability
• Help players have a meaningful experience, not just a token player
• Help players achieve desired goals without assistance
• and FUN! FUN! FUN
Additional information can be obtained by visiting the USYSA TOPSoccer site where you can find informative resources such as Parent’s Guide and Grant application to start a program in your league.
Click Here to see the USYSA flier on TOPS.
History
TOPSoccer was implemented by LBYSO in the fall 2001 season. Each year we have about 45 kids participating in the program. The LBYSO TOPS children play a 12 game schedule. The teams are organized with special regards to size, age and mobility. The competition ranges from "short-sided" club teams, to older-aged recreational teams within the LBYSO mainstream league. Special instruction to the competition allows for mild resistance, with active awareness to pass the ball to those children who seem to have limited ability to get to the ball. There are other TOPS teams within the LA/Orange County area which we occasionally compete. These games provide direct skill-level competition, as well as "support" time for coaches and parents as several teams gather for the day.
Contacts
LBYSO TOPSoccer Coordinator Patty Hall Pat@HallEmail.com
CYSA-S TOPSoccer Chairperson CYSA-S
Games and Practice Schedules
A prime time of @10:00 AM is selected for the kids. This is allotted knowing it will require a great sacrifice to the mainstream teams which will set-up and tear down the nets, line the fields, while also playing their games at less desirable times. This sacrifice by the mainstream coaches is embraced and fully supported. The TOPS practice field requires a different location. Typically, we will select a date and time that will be consistent each week. We have one practice per week, in the evening, at a local Long Beach site to be announced by the coach.
Cost
The cost for participation is $60. For those with financial hardships, scholarships are available. The cost includes uniforms, pictures, trophies, insurance, fields and referees. Corporate sponsorship from The Dameron Corporation, Uniroyal and The Boeing Company has allowed LBYSO to pay registration fees for those children who have financial need, while also giving us the ability to purchase specialized equipment.
Season Duration
The season begins with practices in August. Games begin in September and the season ends in early November.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers are always welcome. High School Students looking for Community Service hours can do so with TOPS. Currently, volunteers assist at practices giving one-on-one help while also helping the coaches organize and implement drills at practice. Other opportunities range from providing a team to play against the TOPS teams on Saturdays, to helping in administrative activities. There are also opportunities available for community awareness, corporate sponsorship and assistant coaching. Comments
Last modified: September 26, 2005
March 30th, 2007
Alan Furman 
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