TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training program for all athletes with intellectual, emotional, and or physical disabilities. The program strives to provide soccer opportunities for players to develop at their own pace in a safe, fun, and supportive/inclusive environment. West Orange United F.C. and The West Orange Recreation Department's Footsteps program, along with many volunteer coaches and "buddies," have worked together to bring this program to our community since 2014. Our program is designed to accommodate players with disabilities such as down syndrome, autism spectrum, ADHD and cerebral palsy between the ages of 5 and 18. Each player receives 1:1 instruction and support from his or her TOPSoccer "buddy." Typically, we run a 7-8 session season in fall, and then again in the spring. Sadly, COVID interrupted our ability to provide in-person sessions in 2020, but some virtual sessions and a virtual Jamboree were held. In the Fall of 2021 we were able to return to in-person sessions in a new outdoor location. For questions about the program, please contact Coach Lou Mignone at newyorkcosmos@verizon.net.
REGISTRATION FOR THE SPRING 2022 TOPSOCCER SESSION IS NOW OPEN!
As in the Fall, sessions will be held on Sundays from 5-6 PM at the Stagg Field Tennis Courts. This is an outdoor location. The courts are lit and fully enclosed, and are located on the northwest corner of the park, behind the playground. The program will begin on Sunday, March 20, 2022, and run for eight Sundays, ending on Sunday, May, 15, 2022. There will be no session on Sunday, April 17 (Easter Sunday). Thanks to the generosity of the West Orange Recreation Department's FOOTSTEPS program and all of our volunteer coaches and buddies, there is no fee for this program.
Program dates:
Sunday, March 20
Sunday, March 27
Sunday, April 3
Sunday, April 10
Sunday, April 24
Sunday, May 1
Sunday, May 8
Sunday, May 15
All sessions will run from 5-6 pm at the Stagg Field Tennis Courts. Sessions will be held outdoors so players should dress for the weather.
There is no fee for the program, but registration is required. Should you have any questions you may contact our Director of Coaching and Player Development, Lou Mignone, at newyorkcosmos@verizon.net. Upon completion of registration you will receive an email with documents that will need to be completed before the start of the program.
The West Orange United FC TOPSoccer staff of coaches and “buddies” look forward to designing a safe, fun and rewarding soccer experience for all players participating in our first-ever outdoor season! We look forward to working together to make this program a fun and rewarding experience for our players!
Roster space is limited, so please register your player as soon as possible.