December 9th, 2018: In a continued effort to expose the Indiana Soccer Olympic Development Program State Pool players to community service, Indiana Soccer ODP held our first TOPSoccer buddy course on Sunday, December 9. More than 60 ODP athletes participated.
TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a US Youth Soccer program. Athletes with special needs train and play at 12 TOPSoccer programs in our state. This program is an inclusive program for athletes no matter what their physical, mental, or emotional disability.
TOPSoccer buddies volunteer for this program all over Indiana at the clubs that have a TOPSoccer program. TOPSoccer buddies help TOPSoccer athletes on the field of play or on the sideline by giving support to the athlete either physically or directionally. TOPSoccer athletes and buddies become fast friends.
The ODP players that took the course are now certified to be a buddy at any program in our state. Some of the ODP state pool players have already enquired about helping to start a program at their club. Hopefully, this effort will boost the TOPSoccer programs in our state as well as add programs at other clubs.
Thanks to Todd Sheely (Director of Indiana Soccer Olympic Development Program), Joy Carter (ODP Administrator and TOPSoccer Staff Liaison) and Steve Franklin (Director of Education) in helping to make this course a reality and a huge success. See images below.