TOPSoccer Program

TOPSoccer is "The Outreach Program for Soccer". TOPSoccer is an outreach soccer program for children with disabilities.

TOPSoccer News

NEW - Eastside United presents a TOPSoccer Summer Camp

EastSide United FC will be hosting a TOPSoccer Summer Camp on the turf field at Gresham High School, June 30 - July 3, 2008. Click here to see the flyer with complete details. Online registration for this event is available at www.esufc.com.

TOPSoccer night at the Timbers!!

PGE park will feature a very special TOPSoccer event on Thursday, September 4th when the Timbers take on the Miami FC Blues. TOPS players, buddies, and parents will form a fan tunnel for the Timbers players in the beginning of the game. Then TOPS players will play their own game on the field during halftime.
Tickets for reserved seating will be available for $8 (while supplies last) through your local TOPSoccer program. (See list below).

Oregon TOPSoccer Programs

Ashland

Location: Ashland Middle School
Address: 100 Walker Ave. - Ashland, OR
Next Season Starting: March 12, 2008 Ending: May 8, 2008
Dates: March 12 & 19, April 3, 10, 17, 24, 30, May 8
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Contact: Thierry Chouard - Phone: 541 488-3406 or e-mail at
lefoot@opendoor.com

Beaverton

Location: SoccerPlex
Address: 8785 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy - Portland, OR 97225
Next Season Starting: April 14th Ending: May 12th, 2008
Upcoming seasons: June 30th-August 4th, September 22nd-October 27th
Day: Monday
Time: 5 - 6 PM
Contacts: Paul Wild, pwild@pcc.edu or Phone 503 292-3385
Carrie Cool,hazncool@spiritone.com or Phone 503 997-4902

Bend

Location: Three Sisters Seventh Day Adventist Church
Address: 21155 Tumalo Rd - Bend, OR 97701
Next Season Starting: Setpember 7th Ending: October 12
Day: Friday Nights
Time: 5-6pm
Contact: John O'Sullivan, josullivan@oregonrush.com or Phone 541 977-5494

Corvallis

Location: Corvallis Sports Park
Address: 175 SW Twin Oaks Circle - Corvallis, OR 97333
Next Season Starting: TBA
Day: TBA
Time: TBA
Contact: Megan Tidrington leagues@peak.org or Phone: 541 757-0776

Eugene

Location: Kick City Indoor Soccer Center
Address: 1650 28th St. - Springfield, OR
Next Season Starting: TBA
Day: TBA
Time: TBA
Contact: Mac Wilson, macw@comcast.net or Phone: 541-953-2344

Gresham

Location: Back2Back Indoor Sports
Address: 819 NW Corporate Drive Troutdale, OR 97060
Next Season Starting: September 8, 2008 Ending: October 27, 2008
Day: Monday
Times: Honey Bears - 5:30-6:30pm; Grizzly Bears - 6:30-7:30pm
For more information about the different programs and to register, check the Eastside United website at www.esufc.com
Contact: Sue Protz, topsoccer@esufc.com or Phone: 503-665-9345

Hillsboro

Location: Eastwood Elementary School
Address: 2100 NE Lincoln - Hillsboro, OR
Next Season Starting: April 2, 2008 Ending May 21, 2008
Day: Wednesday
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Contact: Doreen Adams, doreen.adams@verizon.net

Medford

Location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary
Address: 3101 McLoughlin Dr. - Medford, OR
Next Season Starting: TBA*
Day: TBA
Time: TBA
*Medford typically holds Fall and Spring seasons.
Contact: Dave Potter, davepottersoccer@aol.com

Oregon City

Practice locations: Holcomb Elementary and King Elementary Schools - in the school gyms.
Address for Practices: Holcomb Elem. - 14625 S. Holcomb Blvd - Oregon City &
King Elementary - 995 South End Rd o Oregon City
Games Location: Oregon Indoor Center
Address for Games: Oregon Indoor Center - 17015 SE 82nd Ave. - Clackamas, OR 97015
Next Season Starting: September 14th, 2007
Practice Day: Friday
Game Day: Sunday 1-3pm
Contact: Cory or Tammie Moore macat@comcast.net

Salem

Location: Salem Indoor Soccer Center
Address: 4701 Portland Rd. N.E. - Salem, OR
Next Season Starting: TBA
Day: TBA
Time: TBD
Contact: Rich Swartzentruber, rleeswartz@comcast.net

Tualatin

Location: Tualatin Indoor Center
Address: 11883 SW Itel St. - Tualatin, OR 97062
Off Tualatin-Sherwood Road, behind Milgard Windows.
Nest Season Starting: September 4, 2007 Ending: October 30, 2007
Day & Time: Tuesdays
Time: 5:00-6:00 pm
Contact: John Hanna, clubmanager@wusc.net or Phone: 503 638-9777

Volunteers Wanted

TOPSoccer needs volunteers. We are looking for volunteers to assist with the TOPSoccer Programs. Please contact: Brian Scott at brian@oregonyouthsoccer.org or 503-626-4625.

TOPSoccer - General Information

TOPSoccer is "The Outreach Program for Soccer". Formed by US Youth Soccer to further their goal "To foster the physical, mental, and emotional growth and development of America's youth in soccer at all levels of age and competition". It also meets Oregon Youth Soccer's mission statement "To foster an environment that promotes the physical, mental, and emotional development of Oregon's youth through the sport of soccer".

History

TOPSoccer is free to any person with a disability. The program in Oregon was begun in 1997 by Diane Smith, with one location. We now have programs across the state offering a soccer experience to children with disabilities. The Oregon Department of Education indicates that more than 55,000 children in grades K-8 are determined as having disabilities. Our program touches just a few of these individuals, and we hope it continues to grow and reach many more.

What's Involved

TOPSoccer is managed through Oregon Youth Soccer, and hosted by local soccer clubs. Ideally, a club will inquire about hosting a TOPSoccer program in their local area. We ask them to identify interested volunteers as coaches, Coach assistants "Buddies", locate a facility, and determine dates they wish to run the program. OYSA will provide the equipment to set up a successful program. Most programs run 8 week seasons once or twice each year. The programs are typically held in school gymnasiums or indoor soccer centers as they offer more secure sites that are not be affected by weather. Outdoor sessions are perfectly acceptable
Oregon Youth Soccer will provide specialty materials needed, such as soft soccer balls, "Pop Up" goals, equipment bags, "bell" balls for children with a vision impairment, and "wheelchair" balls. Pennies & cones are items most clubs have, but can be provided by Oregon Youth Soccer. Sponsors sometimes provide promotional items. TOPSoccer Buddies are typically high school age students who assist the coach. If the disabilities of the participants are significant, a buddy may be needed for each participant. Usually 2-5 buddies are sufficient for a program. The "Buddies" receive Community Service credits toward graduation, and can be nominated for OYSA recognition as "TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year". US Youth Soccer has announced a program for selection of the TOPSoccer Buddy of the year who will be recognized at the national US Youth Soccer Coaches Convention and Awards Dinner.
Oregon Youth Soccer provides management and support for the programs Training programs and information are available for coaches.

Costs

This program has no charge to players. The major out of pocket expenses are born by Oregon Youth Soccer, and are paid from revenues received from registration fees and grants. TOPSoccer players are covered by Oregon Youth Soccer insurance at no cost. Donations are accepted, which are generally used to purchase refreshments for the players and prizes at the end of the season. Facilities are usually donated, but reasonable rents will be paid by Oregon Youth Soccer. Major equipment expenses are covered by OYSA, which amounts to about $800 per program.

Personal Satisfaction

Anyone who has the opportunity to work with these special needs children will receive much more than they will ever be able to give. These kids really appreciate the opportunity for physical and social activity, and are energetic in expressing their feelings. They are patient, tender, and like to receive attention. They have fun participating in the TOPSoccer program, and the smiles on their faces will warm any heart. It is great fun to see them improve their motor skills throughout each season. You will have fun participating as well, guaranteed.

Information

To gain information on starting or participating in a TOPSoccer program, see the page on "How to start a TOPSoccer Program in your Club", and contact:
Club Services at Oregon Youth Soccer
503 626-4625
800 275-7353

TOPSoccer provides children the opportunity to enjoy soccer and the thrill of playing a team sport.

We look forward to helping start a TOPSoccer program for the children with disabilities in your community. These are children that cannot participate and play with the majority of the kids, or may be shunned because they cannot keep up. This is a special program for special kids who really appreciate any effort to help them have fun. Join us as one of Oregon's TOPSoccer soccer clubs.