TOPSoccer
(The Outreach Program of Soccer) is a community-based
training and team-placement program for young athletes with
disabilities, organized by youth soccer association
volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity
of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, ages 4 to
Young Adult, with a disability of any kind. Our goal is to
enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to
become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer
family.
Snohomish Youth Soccer Club is proud to
have the longest running and largest TOPSoccer program in Washington State.
TOPSoccer is an outreach program that enables youth, from age 4 to young
adulthood, with disabilities of any kind, to play soccer at a local level.
Anyone who is not able to play on a typical recreational team can play - and
enjoy this great game. Players are coached and taught soccer skills,
activities and the game at a level consistent with their abilities; they
enjoy the same benefits of social interaction, teamwork skills, physical
fitness, and soccer skills as their typically developing peers.
Snohomish TOPSoccer has two seasons a year
- our main outdoor season in the spring, from April through mid-June and a
shorter indoor season in September and October. We play on local fields in
Snohomish at SHS/GPHS stadiums, Stocker Fields and also at the Snohomish
Soccer Dome. We have between 50 and 75 players active during any season,
coming from throughout Snohomish County. Our players have widely ranging
abilities and challenges - from general delays, physical limitations, autism
spectrum disorders, hearing or vision limitations and sensory dysfunction.
For many, this may be their first experience with a team sport. Our program
is successful due to the wonderful players who participate, parental support
and also because of the large group of amazing volunteers who provide 1:1
assistance, help with drills/practices and support our coaches throughout
the practice sessions. While many can play independently, particularly our
youngest players require individual instruction and attention during the
challenge of this fast-paced game. Volunteers/mentors come from our local
community - high schools, middle schools and even older elementary youth as
well as adults who also enjoy the game! All coaches and administrative
support people are volunteers as well.
Washington Youth Soccer provides player
insurance coverage, Snohomish Youth Soccer supports the program with an
annual stipend, Pablo Mummey, owner of the Snohomish Soccer Dome, graciously
donates field time for our Fall program and District 1 has provided funding
for field use in the spring. We have had volunteers raise funds for
equipment, including portable goals! Our players do pay a fee to cover the
cost of jerseys, trophies at the end of the Spring season and other
incidentals. We are able to keep this fee low and also provide scholarships
for any player/family in need.
Soccer is truly a game for all - and
Snohomish Youth Soccer has supported SnoTOPS for 12 consecutive years. Come
join us!!!
2012 Spring Season
Dates: April 7, 2012 through
June 16, 2012
Times: Saturdays morning and
Thursdays early evening (Specific times vary depending upon team
placement)
Locations: Saturday Snohomish
High School or Glacier Peak High School Stadium. Thursday Stocker
Soccer Fields
Cost: $30.00 (Scholarships are
available for any player/family in need).
Questions? Contact Linda Kautz
at ljkotr@aol.com or 360-568-6341
Snohomish TOPS Info/contacts:
Marty Torres,
TOPSoccer Chair
Linda Kautz, Organizer and Volunteer
Coordinator
Yvonne Kovacevich, Registrar
Alicia Federici, Treasurer
TOPSoccer Website:
http://www.wsysa.com/Programs/TOPSoccer
