Fredericksburg FC (FFC) runs a local US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) program.
FFC TOPSoccer is a community-based program for young athletes with disabilities.
FFC TOPSoccer has been supporting the community since 2004 and is in its 15th year. FFC TOPSoccer seeks to provide a no-cost active environment not found in other soccer programs for players with disabilities. Because of this focus, the FFC TOPSoccer program is a bit different from many other TOPSoccer programs, and is very different from the local Special Olympics programs. This is by design. FFC TOPSoccer seeks to provide a somewhat unique activity opportunity for players with disabilities.
FFC TOPSoccer is not a team-based program, but rather is individual based. Using the slogan, “Your IEP for Soccer,” TOPSoccer focuses on each child, from profoundly physically and/or intellectually challenged to high functioning. TOPSoccer’s goal is to address each participant’s unique skills and abilities to provide a player-based program for exercise and activities that just happens to involve soccer balls of all sizes. FFC TOPSoccer accomplishes this goal through the use of buddies. The buddies, typically FFC soccer players and other school-aged volunteers, enable the players to participate and learn at their own pace.
TOPSoccer Buddies are invaluable volunteers who participate directly with individual players to enable participation in soccer activities. The TOPSoccer buddy is not a player and does not score goals. Buddies help the TOPSoccer player succeed at his own pace and keep the player as safe as possible. TOPSoccer Buddies can be a same-aged peer, a teenager or an adult. They typically are FFC soccer players, but they can also be someone who works with special needs children or someone who has no soccer experience, but a strong desire to enable children to have fun. Buddies are eligible for community service hours. To volunteer as a FFC TOPSoccer buddy, contact Toby Brown via eMail at [email protected].