TOPSoccer Program

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

TOPSoccer News

TOPSoccer in the News

The TOPSoccer program in Bend sponsored by Oregon Rush was recently featured in the news. Take a look at this great article from the Bend Bulletin.

CalSouth Hosts Regional TOPSoccer Event

CalSouth will host the first regional TOPSoccer event June 20-21, 2009, in Lancaster, CA. The 2009 CalSouth TOPSoccer Challenge will be at the same field complex as the Farwest Regional Championships and will take place on the last two days of the Regional competition. (Click the link to view the brochure.)

The event is open to both individuals and teams.
Team registration: $50
Individual registration: $10

Anyone interested in this event should contact:
Sandy Castillo, Cal South TOPSoccer Chairperson
Director, 2009 Cal South TOPSoccer Challenge
Email: sandjules@cs.com
Phone: 714-524-3354
Cell: 714-746-8622
Fax: 714-524-1774

Eastside United Hosts Summer Camp

Eastside United will host a summer camp for TOPSoccer players June 29-July 2, 2009
Honey Bears 9-10:30am; Grizzly Bears 10:30am-Noon
Cost is $25.
Registration and payment can be made online at esufc.com or by calling 503-667-8312
Questions? Contact Sue Protz - 503-667-9345 or topsoccer@esufc.com

TOPSoccer Night at the Timbers

The Portland Timbers in coordination with the TOPSoccer program of Eastside United present a TOPSoccer Night on Sunday, September 13, 2009. All TOPSoccer players, their families, and buddies from any of OYSA's TOPSoccer programs are invited to attend the Timbers match against the Cleveland City Stars. TOPSoccer players will have the opportunity to meet the Timbers players as they take the field. The big highlight of the evening will be a TOPSoccer match on the PGE Park pitch at halftime.

Tickets are available at the discount price of $10 ($16 value) through your local TOPSoccer program.
For more information click here or contact Sue Protz - 503-667-9345 or topsoccer@esufc.com

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 6th Ending: May 11th, 2009
Upcoming seasons: TBA
Contacts: Paul Wild, pwild@pcc.edu or Phone 503 292-3385
Carrie Cool,hazncool@spiritone.com or Phone 503 997-4902

Bend

Location: Buckingham Elementary School
Address: 62560 Hamby Rd - Bend, OR 97701
Next Season Starting: April 24, 2009; Ending: June 5, 2009
Day: Friday Nights
Time: 6-7pm
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: Jeremy Flores, kayaman_5@hotmail.com or Phone: 541-868-5610

Gresham

Location: Back2Back Indoor Sports
Address: 819 NW Corporate Drive Troutdale, OR 97060
Next Season Starting: March 2, 2009 Ending: April 27, 2009 (No program during spring break, 3/23/09)
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 3, 2009 Ending: June 5, 2009
[NOTE: No TOPSoccer on April 17 and May 15]
Day: Friday
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Contact: Doreen Adams, doreen.adams@verizon.net

Medford

Location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary
Address: 3101 McLoughlin Dr. - Medford, OR
Fall Season: 9/29/08 - 12/8/08
Day: Monday
Time: 6:15pm - 7:30pm

Spring Season: 3/16/09 - 5/18/09
Day: Monday
Time: 6:15pm - 7:30pm
Contact: Dave Potter, davepottersoccer@gmail.com or 541-842-1790

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: April 1, 2009 Ending: May 27, 2009
Fall Season will run September 2, 2009 - October 28, 2009
Day: Wednesday
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.