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Outreach |
Mass Youth Soccer strives to provide playing opportunities to all children in all areas of Massachusetts. To this ends, we make particular efforts to provide playing opportunities in areas in which they are not readily available for players. In addition, we attempt to educate coaches in these areas, in order that the programs may be self-sustaining over the years and serve players for many years to come.
TOPSoccer
Soccer Kicks for Cancer
GOALS
TOPSoccer is a community based outreach program, created by US Youth Soccer, with the goal to enrich the lives of athletes with disabilities through the game of soccer. It allows kids with a mental or physical disability to have the opportunity to enjoy soccer and be part of a team, giving them a sense of victory and happiness. Not only are they given the opportunity to enjoy sports, but they develop the skills to cope with life lessons and most importantly learn about their true potential to do anything they put their minds to. There are thousands of kids with disabilities all over Massachusetts and a lot of the time these children are forgotten. Getting these kids off the side line and on the field will allow them to enjoy the benefits of soccer. Programs are set-up and run by town organizations at the grassroots level. Each program is different, specifically catering to the needs of players in the area. Changes are made to the game and training environment to allow full participation and enjoyment to each child in the program. Basically, it can be set up in any manner that is best for the kids. For more information about the TOPSoccer program contact Bob Bilicki, Outreach Program Director.
Soccer Kicks for Cancer is a soccer development, community outreach and fundraising program developed by US Youth Soccer and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Mass Youth Soccer is one of the first state associations to jump start this outreach program. Soccer players raise funds for research and patient programs by getting donations for the number of “touches” they make on the soccer ball at home over a ten day period. The goal is for every participating player to touch the ball 2000 times over a specific 10 day period. All funds will support research and patient services programs of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Todd Smith Leukemia Fund for soccer scholarships. The purpose of this program is (1) to create a sense of community service among the next generation of soccer players, (2) build The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's youth awareness program aimed at “kids helping kids,” and (3) Help fund critical research and programs into causes and cures of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. For more information about Soccer Kicks for Cancer go to www.soccerkicksforcancer.org.
Every year, Mass Youth Soccer coordinates GOALS soccer camps in communities throughout Massachusetts. We hire and train college players to work these camps in hopes that they will not only serve as coaches, but also as role models for the children. These camps run primarily throughout the month of July, and in June and August at times as well. We partner with Boys & Girls Clubs, Recreational and Community Centers, and YMCA's to provide these camps at no cost to the players or the centers. This program currently runs in Somerville, Cambridge, Dorchester, South Boston, Lowell, Lawrence, Fall River, New Bedford, Springfield, and Worcester and we are always looking to expand these camps to include other communities. We currently serve over 1300 players through these camps and hope to provide opportunities to many more each year. If you are interesting in bringing a GOALS camp to your area, please contact Mike Singleton, Director of Coaching.
Outside of our GOALS summer camps, we provide ongoing consultation and support to local inner city programs running in Boston and throughout the state. We provide ongoing support to New England Scores, City Kicks, and the Roxbury YMCA and have worked with the City of Boston as well. Through our relationships with these programs we have provided funding, uniform needs, licensing courses, and ongoing coaching clinics, as well as tried to help them accomplish their goals in any way we can. Whether it be through promotion of their programs or assistance in promoting their fundraising events, we hope to help assist these agencies promote the game of soccer to children who may not otherwise have exposure to the game.
Our coaching staff earnestly attempts to spread the game of soccer throughout the state. Sometimes, a simple flame can start a fire and set a dormant soccer community ablaze. It is part of the mission at Mass Youth Soccer to find such places and do whatever we can to help children enjoy this wonderful game. Whether it be just during the summer or throughout the entire year, we are here to help the children and coaches have fun.
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