SafeSport Training Exemption for TOPSoccer Athletes aged 18 and over

TOPSoccer Adult Athlete Waiver to Complete SafeSport Training

US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for 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, who has a mental or physical disability. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family.

TOPSoccer Soccer.com Apparel Store

TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement which is, in part, “to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America’s youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.” There are thousands of children with disabilities who need, and can be provided with, the opportunity to play soccer through the TOPSoccer program.

For information on local TOPSoccer programs, resources, registration and how to set up a TOPSoccer program, please use the menu links to the right of this page.

Interested in starting a TOPSoccer Program in your town?  Please reach out to Tamie Endow, Technical Dept Mgr. – tendow@mayouthsoccer.org

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

1. Identify the need in your area.
For what type of disabilities do you need to plan? Are you able to fulfill these needs?
2. Check for any restrictions placed on the facility you plan to use.
Are they equipped to handle athletes with physical disabilities?
3. Check with your soccer insurance carrier.
4. Reach out to Tamie Endow – Mass Youth Soccer Technical Department Mgr. – tendow@mayouthsoccer.org
5. Contact your local school districts and universities.
6. Create a list of people who are able to assist you. Don’t forget to reach out to Mass Youth Soccer
7. Plan your advertisements.

HOW DO I STRUCTURE A TOPSOCCER PROGRAM

1. The unique thing about TOPSoccer is that each program is different and is created around the needs of the participants. Additionally, TOPSoccer athletes are placed on teams according to ability, not age.
2. You determine the length of program. Usually TOPSoccer programs run for 6-8 weeks.
3. Playing rules.
  • Create rules to fit specific needs.
  • Use the US Youth Soccer Under-6, Under-8 or Under-10 guidelines
4.  Usually TOPSoccer programs have very modest beginnings.
5.  For those athletes not able to participate due to medical reasons, design a skills program that is rewarding, challenging and fun.
6.  Your Program can take one of many shapes.
  • Small-sided games (3 v 3, 4 v 4, 8 v 8, etc.)
  • Full-sided games (11v11)
  • Unified teams (ratio of challenged athletes to non-challenged athletes)
  • Indoor programs Outdoor program
  • Camps
  • Skills only
7.  Above all… keep it simple… KEEP IT FUN!

TOPSoccer Community Contact Information: 

Community Contact Email
Arlington Travis Baggett tpbaggett@gmail.com
Auburn Malory O’Brien tops@usauburn.com
Blackstone Millville John Christina president@bmyso.org
Boston CJ Cliff admin@soccerunityproject.org
Chemlsford Abby Berry abbykberry@gmail.com
Danvers / Beverly Sharon Clement saclement@verizon.net
Dover-Sherborn Charlotte Phillips Charlottejanephillips@gmail.com
Essex County YSL Jack Steele Jacksteele121@gmail.com
Holden Osman Bilsel  

osman.bilsel@gmail.com

Hopkinton Jessica Bruce jessica.bruce119@gmail.com
King Phillip John

Kelsie

Rainone

Rainone

jrainone0723@gmail.com

krain0521@gmail.com

Lawrence Sandra

Stephanie

McGrath

McArdle

SMcGrath@mvymca.org

stephanie@beyondsoccerlawrence.org

Lexington Paul Clough phclough@gmail.com
Malden Tom Wyche Twyche1@gmail.com
Middleboro John Morrison john@ionflight.com
Milton Heather Montgomery hjmontgomery@me.com
Natick Garrett Mann GMann@techtarget.com
North Reading Ann Suny awsuny@comcast.net
Norwood Tracey Jones Thejones.family5@verizon.net
Quincy Anthony Chella anthonychella@hotmail.com
Sudbury Benjamin Quinto benjaminquinto@gmail.com
Wakefield Paul Paglierani tops@wakefieldsoccer.org
Wellesley Ken

 

Johnson

 

jrkjkc@gmail.com

wellesleytops@gmail.com

Weymouth Alison White Alley513@gmail.com
Wilmington Rachele

Caryn

 

Phillips

Goulet

 

rachele@beyondtops.com

caryn@beyondtops.com

Winchester Anthony Forcione Anthonyff90@gmail.com
Yarmouth-Dennis Alison Kirwin topsdir@ydsoccer.org

Below are several links to presentations and documents designed to assist you in learning more about TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program of Soccer) designed by US Youth Soccer.  To review a presentation, simply click the corresponding link below to download the presentation.  For more information regarding TOPSoccer in Massachusetts, please contact Tamie Endow – tendow@mayouthsoccer.org

 

INFORMATION FOR REGISTRARS OF TOPSOCCER PROGRAMS

Click here to watch a video on the TOPSoccer Registration Process (and click here to access the slides).

Placement and Registration of Athletes:

1. Registration procedures should be the same as those used for  your recreation and travel teams.  

  • Registration form should include a section for medical history.
  • Athletes with Down-syndrome should be required to have a current x-ray. If the x-ray is positive for their safety, it should be strongly recommended that they do not take part in team play.
  • In some cases medical waivers may be required.

2. Placement is made by ability not age.

3. Assessment test should be made available upon request.

4. Ensure that the experience is meaningful for the participating athletes, and one in which they feel they have made a contribution.

Recruiting Coaches

Contact local universities, schools and soccer clubs for volunteers. The State Coach or Director of Coaching for the state association is also a good source for coaches. No special training is required, however it is available through Mass Youth Soccer.