TOPSOCCER Coaching Education

Probably the greatest gift an experienced soccer coach, or individual who doesn't even play or coach soccer can provide, is to offer challenged children and adults the opportunity to train and play soccer. More than likely, the return from watching and assisting these players grow and have fun playing soccer, will result in unmatched fulfillment and purpose to ones life.

TOPSOCCER is US Youth Soccer's method to bring the sport to every child or adult who may have a special challenge. The program attempts to bring soccer to physically challenged, cognitively challenged, and emotionally challenged individuals who do not have the chance to participate in mainstreamed soccer leagues or teams.

I participated in the TOPSOCER Coaching Course given by The Florida Youth Soccer Association and United States Youth Soccer Association this past weekend and came away feeling rejuvenated about coaching and hoping to provide this course and all the information to EPYSA members in the near future.

My intention is to get ODP coaches, club coaches and parents actively involved with this marvelous program. Diane Spencer, EPYSA Soccer Representative (dspencerepysa@verizon.net) has worked relentlessly to bring soccer to these children in our state. My hope is to get a host of volunteers to assist her as she attempts to provide training, matches and venues for this program throughout Eastern Pennsylvania.

The TOPSOCCER course is user friendly, provides a great deal of information and ideas, takes approximately five hours, everyone passes and there is no cost. Hopefully, we can begin to provide festivals and summer camps to these players but both Diane and I will need the assistance of volunteers who participate in this course and want to make a difference in the lives of these children and adults.

Let's make sure soccer is not perceived as a sport for only the athletically gifted or well to do families in Eastern Pennsylvania. Please email me or Diane if you would like to attend a state wide course or want to start your own TOPSOCCER program in your club or town.

Mike Barr
mbarr@epysa.org
Director of Coaching
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association