TOPSoccer

What is WSYSA TOPSoccer?

WSYSA TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a program that enables children with different abilities, (physical or intellectual disabilities) to play soccer. The program, designed and administered by the US Youth Soccer, is supported by WSYSA. It provides meaningful learning, development, and physical participation opportunities to these young athletes through the game of soccer. The emphasis of this program is on participation and fun. 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 at all levels of age and competition." Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to develop their physical fitness, technical skills and self-esteem through the joy and excitement of playing soccer.

TOPSoccer is not geared towards any specific type of disability and is open to any boy or girl under the age of 19. There are varied types of participation to meet the needs of any child that wishes to participate.

The majority of sports opportunities currently offered to children with disabilities are school based. Many parents of children with disabilities, however, would like their child to participate in the same community sports programs as their non-disabled brothers and sisters; to wear the same club uniform, play on the same fields and when appropriate, play with their non-disabled peers.

A typical TOPSoccer program consists of weekly training and player participation in soccer related skill games within their own club, with each session ending in a "friendly" or scrimmage game.