Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer Club

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Lehigh Valley TOPSoccer Club

• Chittur B. Ananthan
• May 12, 2008

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• What is TOPSoccer ?
• TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a
  community-based training and team placement
  program for young athletes with disabilities,
• TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the Eastern
  Pennsylvania Youth Soccer US Youth Soccer
  mission statement which is, in part, "to foster
  the physical, mental and emotional growth and
  development of Americas youth through the sport
  of soccer at all levels of age and competition."
  
• TOPSoccer is designed and administered by US
  Youth Soccer
• Emphasis of TOPSoccer is on development, training
  and meaningful participation rather than on
  competition

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• Reason for starting
• I started this program because my son could not
  participate in a typical soccer program.
• Fills a dire need in the community It is
  estimated that there are about 250 to 300
  children in the Lehigh Valley in the autism
  spectrum alone !
• The only dedicated TOPSoccer program in the
  Lehigh ValleyFor TOP Soccer to be successful, it
  has to be the core program of a club and not just
  an appendix to a large typical soccer club with
  enrolment exceeding hundreds of players
• Initially catering to children with autism
  spectrum disorders (ASD), Down Syndrome and
  Cerebral Palsy
• Open to all children in the Lehigh Valley with
  disorders mentioned above

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• Elements of a successful program
• PARENT INVOLVEMENT
• Community support monetary and non-monetary
• Volunteers willing to work with children with
  special needs
• Buddy system some players paired with a buddy
• Placement of players primarily by ability, not
  age
• Emphasize ability, not disability
• Involve players and provide meaningful experience
• Dependability of coaches

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• TOPSoccer coaches
• Commitment
• Oodles of patience, empathy
• Communicate well with parents of the players
• Do not feel sorry or pity for the children
• Lots of energy
• Line up volunteers
• Underplay or, better still, omit competition and
  winning
• Simple drills
• Some players may graduate to typical soccer
  programs

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• Current status
• The Lehigh County Sports Fields Association
  (LCSFA) allows LVTOPS to use their fields in
  S.Whitehall at no cost
• Besides myself, LVTOPS has 4 other coaches
  helping the players enjoy the game of soccer
• LVTOPS includes players from as far as Bath,
  Nazareth Easton
• All the major school districts are aware of
  LVTOPS program and inform families of students
  with special needs about the availability of
  TOPSoccer for their children
• Agencies and service providers such as the CLIU,
  Good Shepherd, Kidspeace, etc. are also aware of
  LVTOPS and promote it among their clientele
• LVTOPS has an excellent standing in the community