TOP SOCCER

TOPSoccer Program

About TOPSoccer

TOPSoccer is a community based training and team placement program for young athletes with special
needs. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl
with special needs.

The New Jersey Youth Soccer / US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer program provides assistance to affiliated
organizations with ways to enable players with mental or physical disabilities to play soccer. The
emphasis of this program is on development, training, and meaningful participation rather than
on competition. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to develop their
physical fitness, technical skills, courage, and self-esteem, through the joy and excitement of playing
soccer.

There are thousands of children with disabilities who need, and can be provided the opportunity to play
soccer through TOPSoccer. That opportunity exists for these athletes to achieve, develop and participate
according to their individual abilities.

Representatives from New Jersey Youth Soccer and Roselle Park Soccer Club got together to host a
TOPSoccer Coaching Course and Buddy Clinic in Roselle Park, N.J.

"It was truly a great day for NJYS TOPSoccer," said Rick Meana, NJYS Director of Coaching. "Along
with representatives from Roselle Park SC, we also had coaches from Franklin Lakes, Jersey City and
Hackensack in attendance. Additionally, several soccer players from Roselle Park SC completed the
two-hour Buddy Clinic."

Hosted at Roselle Park High School, the TOPSoccer Coaching Course and Buddy Clinic was conducted
in partnership with Roselle Park Soccer Club, who recently added TOPSoccer to its programming. The
event was focused on preparing coaches and buddies to conduct TOPSoccer training sessions and
jamborees in the future.

To learn more about NJYS TOPSoccer or to find out how you can get involved with the program,
visit the NJYS TOPSoccer Portal.

Roselle Park takes part in the Jamboree

Coach and Buddy Courses

TOPSoccer Coach Course: A 4-hour US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Coaching Course costing $25.00 combines a 3-hour classroom seminar with a 1-hour practical demonstration that is designed to guide both the novice and experienced coach. The course presents information on player characteristics, the qualities of a good coach, modern coaching methods and how to collaborate with the TOPSoccer Buddy in providing a fun growth experience for soccer players with special needs. There is no examination and a Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to all participants who complete the course.

TOPSoccer Buddy Course: TOPSoccer Buddies are volunteers who participate with TOPSoccer players to enable player participation. Buddies can be teenagers (NJYS recommends age 13+) or adults. Soccer experience is not necessary. The only requirement is a strong desire to help players to be successful and to have FUN! NJYS offers a free 2-hour TOPSoccer Buddy Clinic combining a 1-hour classroom seminar with a 1-hour practical demonstration that addresses player characteristics, the role and qualities of a buddy, and how best to assist the TOPSoccer Coach in providing a fun growth experience for soccer players with special needs.

Jamboree

TOPSoccer athletes, coaches and buddies from seven different clubs joined New Jersey Youth Soccer and West Orange United FC for a TOPSoccer Jamboree. Clubs involved in the TOPSoccer Jamboree included Chatham SC, Morris United SC, Passaic Recreation, Roselle Park SC, Springfield SC, West Morris SC and West Orange United FC. The day-long festival, presented by RWJBarnabas Health, featured soccer training in addition to games and entertainment for all of the athletes, buddies, coaches and families in attendance.