What is TOPSoccer?
 

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community based training and team placement for young athletes with special needs.  The program designed and administered by US Youth Soccer and its volunteer TOPSoccer committee provides meaningful learning, development and physical participation opportunities to these young athletes through the game of soccer. 

Emphasis of this program is on development, training and meaningful participation rather than on competition.  TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement which is “to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development through the sport of soccer through all levels of age and competition.” 

The goal is to enable young athletes with disabilities to develop their physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self esteem through the joy and excitement of playing soccer.

 
Columbus Metropolitan TOPSoccer

Columbus Metropolitan TOPSoccer is a joint program sponsored by Northern Columbus Athletic Association and Hilliard Ohio Soccer Association (HOSA).  We operate as a 501C3 tax-exempt organization under the United States Federal Tax statutes. 

The program consists of both a spring and fall season that correspond with the recreational soccer season.  All games are non-competitive and emphasis is placed on individual successes, for each child this is a different thing.  For some children it may be as simple as actually moving the ball to the thrill of playing in a very active soccer game.  All efforts are encouraged and cheered as we emphasize the athlete’s abilities, not their disabilities.

Every child in the program is provided with a shirt, shorts, socks and shin guards.  Each season ends with a picnic or party where both groups come together to play, eat, network and have a good time, at this time each athlete receives a participation trophy.  This is all offered at a family friendly fee of $10.00, scholarships are also available to anyone.

We use youth volunteers (buddies) to help with our athletes.  These are youth from the communities in which we play in,  we have skilled players from the high school teams, players from our select teams, boys & girls from schools fulfilling their community service hours and kids that have heard of the program and want to help out.  Other adults in the communities also help with the program; these are coaches, local therapists, parents, board members, etc.

 Who Qualifies for TOPSoccer?

Columbus Metropolitan TOPSoccer is a league for any child or young adult (ages 4 thru 25) who, because of a physical or mental disability, cannot benefit from playing in a regular recreational league. 

Some of the disabilities that have benefits of this program are:

Severe ADHD
Anxiety Disorder
Asthma
Autism
Bipolar Disorder
Birth Defects
Cerebral Palsy
Developmental Delay
Down Syndrome
Learning Disabilities
Muscular Dystrophy
Seizure Disorder
Spina Bifida
Tourette Syndrome
Vision Impairment
Hearing Impairment

Fall 2010 registration is Open