Week 38 of #52weeksofgiving - TOPSoccer New Hampshire
We are excited to bring back TOPSoccer as the week 38 feature for #52weeksofgiving! The LeMay Family Goodworks and TOPSoccer teams just wrapped up our first full week of the Stratham, NH, league this past weekend. We had so much fun working with a wonderful group of kids and volunteers. Everyone is looking forward to the next six weeks of the program.
LFG team members Michelle, Beau, Hannah, Denise, and family friends have enjoyed volunteering over the last week and a half. Anyone interested in helping and seeing the joy on these children’s faces as they play is welcome to join us—no soccer experience necessary! Simply reach out to us to learn more.
And if you haven’t heard of TOPSoccer’s adaptive soccer program yet, read on to find out what it’s all about!
What is TOPSoccer?
TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered exclusively through US Youth Soccer-affiliated clubs. The program allows people with diverse abilities to enjoy the sport of soccer in a safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive environment.
TOPSoccer carries on the US Youth Soccer mission “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.” How? By offering thousands of children with disabilities the chance to play!
How Does TOPSoccer Work?
This community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs uses:
Game modifications so each child can fully participate.
One-on-one assistance thanks to “Buddies,” slightly older neurotypical volunteers who are assigned to individual players for the season to ensure they’re safe, engaged, supported, and having fun.
USYS trained and certified coaches who understand how to coach and modify soccer practice activities for children with special needs.
Player groupings by both ability and age so kids can learn and develop at their own speed and play with others with similar abilities.
How Does It Benefit Athletes?
Participants between the ages of 4 and 19 with disabilities that limit their ability to play at the level at which they’ve chosen to participate. Players will learn:
Social skills by interacting with their volunteer Buddy and other athletes in a fun group setting that teaches proper social behaviors.
The importance of teamwork and trusting someone else and relying on them through soccer activities and games.
Perseverance as they face challenges with various activities and their Buddies, coaches, and teammates encourage them to keep trying.
Confidence as they achieve success on the field that carries over into their everyday lives in many ways.
If you are located in the New Hampshire Seacoast area and your child would like to play on a TOPSoccer team, check out our new Stratham league! There is still plenty of time to sign up for the fall season. Please contact Taylar Schoff at schofftaylar@gmail.com to learn more.
Are you located in a different part of the Granite State? Check out the other New Hampshire TOPSoccer leagues.
How to Get Involved with TOPSoccer
We have kicked off the Stratham TOPSoccer league and are looking for more local volunteers to be “Buddies” for our players! Each Buddy is assigned a player for the season and will serve as their biggest fan and best friend throughout practices and games. Whether you love soccer or have never played, you’re invited to join us and help make a difference in these amazing kids’ lives!
Volunteers are needed on Thursday nights from 5 to 6 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 12 to 2 p.m. We meet at 100 Domain Drive, Stratham, NH 03885. All volunteers must complete a 90-minute SafeSport training and submit to a background check.
If you are ready to help these young athletes right in your own community and experience a new form of giving back, please text, call, or email Taylar Schoff at schofftaylar@gmail.com or 603-978-7970. She will be happy to share more details about volunteering with TOPSoccer Stratham.
And remember to follow New Hampshire Soccer Association on Facebook or visit their TOPSoccer site here to keep up with their latest efforts!