TOPSoccer

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

New TOPSoccer Program

Region IV TOPSoccer Symposium Info

2011 Symposium
 

Oregon TOPSoccer Programs

Ashland

Location: Walker Elementary School Gym
Address: 364 Walker Ave. - Ashland, OR
Day:  Tuesday
Dates: April 5, 12, 19, 26 & May 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Contact: Thierry Chouard - Phone: 541 488-3406 or e-mail at
lefoot@opendoor.com

Beaverton

Location: Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Address: 6651 SW Capitol Highway - Portland, OR 97219
Upcoming seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall 2012
Monday evenings 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Session 1: April - 9, 16, 23, 30, May - 7, 14
Session 2: July - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6
Session 3: September 24, October - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
For more information or to register contact:
Paul Wild, pwild@pcc.edu or Phone 503 292-3385
Carrie Cool, westhillsregistrar@gmail.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

Clackamas

Location: Oregon Indoor Center
Address: 17015 SE 82nd Ave. - Clackamas, OR 97015
Next Season: September 24, 2011 to November 19, 2011
Game Day: Saturday
Game Times: Cougars - 2:00pm-3:00pm; Bobcats - 3:00pm-4:00pm
Contacts: Cory Moore,  cory.moore@threeriverssoccer.org
               Tammie Moore, tammie.moore@threeriverssoccer.org
For more information see the Three Rivers Soccer website at www.threeriverssoccer.org

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: Monday December 5th, 2011
Day: (Mondays) December 5th, 12, 19 & January 9, 16, 23, & 30
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Contact: Jeremy Flores, j_florescan@hotmail.com or Phone: 541-343-5100
To Register, please go to http://www.emfc.org

Gresham

Location: Back2Back Indoor Sports
Address: 819 NW Corporate Drive Troutdale, OR 97060
Next Season Starting: March 5, 2012   Ending: April 30, 2012
Day: Monday
Times: Honey Bears - 5:30-6:30pm; Grizzly Bears - 6:30-7:30pm

Fall 2012 - Beginning in September and running 8 weeks. Exact dates and times TBA
Day: Will change to Tuesday

Summer Camp: June 25, 2012 - June 28, 2012
Location: Gradin Sports Park, Gresham, OR
Time: 9am - 10:30am
Cost: $25

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: Mike Alfers, malfers1713@gmail.com or Phone: 503-548-3762

Medford

Location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary
Address: 3101 McLoughlin Dr. - Medford, OR
Contact: Dave Potter, davepottersoccer@gmail.com or 541-842-1790
 

Milton-Freewater

Location: Ferndale Elementary School
Address: 53445 W Ferndale Rd, Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
Next Season Starting: January 14, 2012    Ending: March 3, 2012
Day: Saturday
Time: 8:30am - 10:30am
Contact: Jamie Heim, jamie.heim@imesd.k12.or.us, Phone: 541-966-7849 or 541-969-2770

Portland

Location: Beverly Cleary School
Address: 1915 NE 33rd, Portland, OR 97212
Fall Season: Begins 9/28/11
Day: Wednesday
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
To register, visit www.westhillssoccer.com/TOPSoccer.aspx
Contact: Sean Moran, yabollox@gmail.com  or Carrie Cool, westhillsregistrar@gmail.com

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

Sisters

Location:  Sisters Elementary School
Address:  611 E Cascade Ave, Sisters, OR 97759
Next Season Starting: April 2, 2010  Ending: May 21, 2010
Day:  Friday
Time:  5:00-6:00pm
Contact:  Cheryl Stewart at   cheryl.stewart@ykwc.net or 541-382-7962
 
 

Tualatin

Location: Tualatin Indoor Center
Address: 11883 SW Itel St. - Tualatin, OR 97062
Off Tualatin-Sherwood Road, behind Milgard Windows.
Nest Season Starting: September 15, 2010 Ending: October 27, 2010
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 x234.
 

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 available 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 and hosted by local soccer clubs with support from the State Association. 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. Pinnies & 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

Oregon Youth Soccer charges host clubs the Association's lowest annual dues rate for registering its TOPSoccer players. The dues paid for the players cover the cost of Oregon Youth Soccer insurance, online registration services, and membership registration with US Youth Soccer and the US Soccer Federation. Many of the host clubs provide the program to their players at no charge. Many clubs accept donations which are generally used to purchase refreshments for the players and prizes at the end of the season. Facilities are usually donated, but some programs do incur rental charges. Oregon Youth Soccer uses grant funds to provide equipment and other items for the programs. 

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:
Member Services at Oregon Youth Soccer
503 626-4625 x234
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.