TOPSoccer
The
Outreach Program for Soccer
TOPSoccer
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 who has a mental or physical disability.
The Illinois Youth Soccer – US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer
program provides assistance to affiliated organizations
with ways to enable players with mental or physical disabilities
to play soccer. The emphasis of this program is on development,
training, and meaningful participation rather than on competition.
Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with
disabilities to develop their physical fitness, technical
skills, courage, and self esteem, through the joy and excitement
of playing soccer. There are thousands of children with
disabilities who need, and can be provided with the opportunity
to play soccer through the TOPSoccer program. That opportunity
exists for these athletes to achieve, develop and compete
according to their individual abilities.
“Why do
we need TOPSoccer? So that every kid can know the rewards
of playing on a team, of trying to score – of
being in the game! It brings a sense of accomplishment
and sheer joy to kids who otherwise would have to sit
on the sidelines. Parents can’t praise it enough,
the siblings enjoy helping and cheering, the kids’ laughter
and enthusiasm are infectious – In this program,
everyone comes away a winner.” - Julie Foudy,
US Women’s National Team Olympic Gold and Silver
Medallist, World Cup Soccer Champio
For
more information on TOPSoccer contact the Illinois
Youth Soccer office at 847-290-1577 or email to: info@illinoisyouthsoccer.org
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