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TOPSoccer – For Camas/Washougal and surrounding areas.
The
Outreach Program for Soccer, “TOPSoccer” is a community based
training and team placement program for differently-able players
over 4 years of age, who have a mental or physical disability.
Organized by youth soccer association volunteers, this unique
program enables these special athletes to play at levels
consistent with their skills, not necessarily their age. It
also meets the WSYSA (Washington State Youth Soccer
Association’s) mission statement, “To foster the physical,
mental and emotional growth and development of the State of
Washington’s youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of
age and competition”.
What’s Involved
TOPSoccer is managed through WSYSA
(Washington State Youth Soccer Association), and hosted by local
soccer clubs. For the Camas/Washougal area, it is the
Camas/Washougal Soccer Club (CWSC). Once approved to represent
the TOPSoccer program, coaches, assistants or “Buddies” will
locate a facility, and determine dates they wish to run the
program. We are currently using fields around Camas for
TOPSoccer games. Contact the TOPSoccer Director from the
CWSC Board page for
locations and game format. WSYSA
will provide the start up equipment for the program. Most
programs run 8 weeks per season once or twice each year. Our program
started September 2007 and will
run once a week for 8 weeks.
WSYSA will provide specialty materials
needed, such as soft soccer balls, equipment bags, “bell” balls
for children with vision impairment, and “wheelchair” balls.
Pennies & cones are items most clubs have, but can be provided
by WSYSA. Sponsors sometimes provide boxes of promotional
items. “Buddies” are high school age students who assist with
the participants. 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. WSYSA
provides support by listing the locations on the website,
printing address labels for brochures to publicize the local
TOPSoccer program, and providing certificates for the
participants. Training programs and information are available
for coaches.
Costs
The major out of pocket expenses are born
by WSYSA, and are paid from revenues received from general
player registration and grants. TOPSoccer players are covered
by WSYSA insurance at no cost to participants. A player
registration fee of $30 will cover miscellaneous
expenses and to purchase refreshments and treats for the
participants at the end of the session. Major equipment
expenses are covered by WSYSA. So basically there are minimal
costs to parents/caregivers and players.
Information
Follow
this link for registration, and more detailed
information about how you could start your own TOPSoccer program
in your community, becoming a coach, and for coaching tips.
Provided by WSYSA (Washington State Youth Soccer Association).
For further information about the CWSC
TOPSoccer program, please e-mail: topsoccer@cwsoccer.com, or
leave a message on our soccer line @ (360) 834-6292.
We look forward to getting TOPSoccer off
the ground and give all of our children the opportunity to enjoy
and play the game of soccer.
Sincerely,
Tammie Naffziger
TOPSoccer Director |
