EVERYBODY PLAYS

The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPSoccer) is a program designed to give opportunities for children to play the sport regardless of a disability or any type of challenges.

“There are too many times that they get turned away just because of a condition they are diagnosed with,” said David Cruz, vice president of recreation for the Arizona Youth Soccer Association.

TOPSoccer is already under way in California, with about 300 players, but is still in its infancy in Arizona.

Jill and Tom Oliver run a program at the Arizona Sports Complex (3555 W. Pinnacle Peak Road in Glendale) with matches almost every Sunday at 1 p.m. And Lindsay Tarpley and Leslie Osborne from the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team have agreed to be the official spokespersons of the local program.

Now Cruz, a certified TOPSoccer coach, will be running “playday” practice sessions with the help of his “buddies” to introduce the program to other parts of the valley.

“Many of these buddies will be club soccer players or club coaches that are current members of the AYSA,” said Cruz. “These playdays will be an opportunity to show the parents of these players what type of program we will be running. It will also give us a chance to see what abilities these players have so we can properly place them in a setting that will help them learn the game and have fun.”

The program is open to all who have a disability or challenge (physical, mental, etc.), or any special needs player and there is no age limit. Best of all, the playdays are free of charge.Playdays in the East Valley are scheduled for 2 p.m. May 10 at Big League Dreams in Gilbert and 7:30 p.m. May 21 at Shepherd Junior High School in Mesa.

For more information, visit www.azyouthsoccer.org or call Cruz at (480) 396-8607.