Having a Ball

On Monday evening, 18 special needs children and local volunteers had an opportunity to play soccer with DC United player Brandon Barklage. 

This wasn't your ordinary soccer practice.

Sponsored by the Gunston Soccer Club, TOPSoccer is a program developed by the U.S. Youth Soccer Federation in 1992 as a fun, positive introduction to the game for young athletes with disabilities. Each week during the months of April and May, these children teamed up with parents and local volunteers to learn more about soccer.

Program organizers say TOPSoccer is not necessarily about winning or optimizing soccer skills. It is more about opportunity and working up to potential. It provides an even playing field for children with disabilities. It also gives children with special needs a chance to “just be themselves and to feel comfortable doing their own thing.”

Most importantly, adds Gunston Soccer Commissioner Ruben Bolognesi, the program is a real confidence builder.

“It really helps give these kids a sense of independence, and also gives their parents some much needed respite for an hour each week,” says Bolognesi.

In order to make the free program a success, Gunston Soccer Club relies heavily on a strong network of community volunteers — many of whom are high school students — along with a TOPSoccer physical therapy trainer. These volunteers help the TOPSoccer players stay as safe as possible, as well as help them to thrive and succeed on the field.

When Gunston initially launched the program back in the fall of 2010, Bolognesi says only a handful of children participated in the program. However, after research and more intense marketing initiatives, the program nearly tripled in size this past spring, with 18 children registered in the program. He expects the program to continue to grow.

Parents speak highly of the program. 

“This is a wonderful program and a great opportunity for kids with special needs in our area,” said Jane Keough, whose daughter, Erin, 9, is active in the program. “The volunteers who run this program are absolutely phenomenal and my daughter gets so excited on the days she knows she’s going to soccer.”

Bolognesi adds that the benefits are numerous for everyone involved in TOPSoccer. “Not only do these kids benefit from learning something new out in the fresh air, but they are learning how to socialize and work together in a good environment,” he says. “This program has been a very good thing for these children and their families.”

For more information, visit http://gunston.clubspaces.com/default_css.aspx or email GRSLCommissioner@aol.com.