What is TOPSoccer (TOPS)?
TOPS (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based program affiliated nationally with the US Youth Soccer program and locally with the Lexington Youth Soccer Association.
Who is eligible to play TOPS?
Individuals with intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities who are 4 years of age or older. Disabilities might include, but are not limited to, ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, learning disability, traumatic brain injury, developmental delay, deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy.
What is a TOPSoccer Buddy?
Buddies work on the field with athletes who need assistance (either physically or cognitively). This could include pushing a wheelchair, cheering players while they scrimmage, guiding a player on the field, or just helping a player to focus & participate in practices and games. Buddies should be at least 12 years of age or older, have an open mind and willing to commit their time to as much of the season as they can. The commitment to attend regularly is particularly important because a bond develops between the player and the buddy very quickly. When players get used to a certain buddy and then they are no longer there, it is sometimes difficult for the player. A general knowledge of soccer is helpful but not necessary.
What does the TOPS program in Lexington look like?
Each season approximately 60 athletes, ages 4 and older, participate within three to four team divisions. We have no paid staff and rely entirely on volunteers. Our volunteers serve as coaches, buddies, and administrative staff. We have received major support from The Jerome S. and Grace H. Murray Foundation.
How are LYSA TOPSoccer teams chosen?
Players are assigned to a team division based on ability & general age/size, with decisions about team placement made after registration ends. Our youngest team division players are around 4-6 years of age and our oldest team division players are around 16 years of age or older. We try to assign an individual buddy for each player when requested and available.
How much does it cost to play LYSA TOPSoccer?
The registration fee is $35.00. Scholarships to play are available. Registration and payment are through LYSA’s online registration system. LYSA does not accept cash payments. If you need assistance with registration, please contact Lois Stephens, the LYSA Registrar, at registrar@lysa.org or at 859 223-5632. If you have questions about scholarship availability, contact Todd Bretz, the LYSA Grassroots Director, at grassrootsdirector@lysa.org.
When and where does LYSA TOPSoccer practice?
Practice sessions are held on Sunday afternoons at the Lexington Sporting Club indoor facility at 404 Sporting Court. There are 5 sessions in the Spring and 6 sessions in the Fall.
How can I find out if there are practice session cancelations or practice time/location changes?
We will email you before 11 AM on the day of practice if we must cancel or change practice time/location. The good news is that with indoor soccer we are not at the mercy of the weather like with outdoor soccer, so changes to the schedule are unlikely.
What size soccer ball is needed?
Team divisions 1, 2, and 3 use size 3, 4, & 5 soccer balls.
How do I sign up to volunteer for TOPS?
All volunteers must register to volunteer through the LYSA registration system. Note: After you register, you should receive an email confirming your registration, with general information about the program. If you do not receive an email confirmation, you may not be registered. Let us know if you do not receive confirmation after registering.
The director of the league, Lynda Ison, will email team/volunteer assignments about a week after registration closes.
What are the risk management requirements for adult players and adult volunteers in TOPS?
US Youth Soccer (USYS), a national affiliate member of the national governing body for the sport of soccer in the United Sates, the US Soccer Federation (US Soccer), has developed a comprehensive abuse prevention program. The framework of this program uses a multi-layered approach to keep kids safe, including: required policies and best practice guidelines; mandatory screening such as criminal background checks; training and education such as SafeSport training courses; and monitoring, supervision, and mandatory reporting.
USYS’s risk management policy was recently updated to reflect changes to US Soccer’s SafeSport framework and USSF Policy 212-3. These changes, which became effective 01 January 2022, apply to all US Soccer members and their affiliates, such as US Youth Soccer (USYS), Kentucky Youth Soccer Association (KYSA), and Lexington Youth Soccer Association (LYSA).
As part of the KYSA risk management policy, all LYSA TOPSoccer adult players and volunteers aged 18 years and older on or before the final session date of the season must complete a background check every two years and SafeSport training every calendar year (unless a waiver is submitted & approved exempting the applicant from SafeSport training). The policy applies to all of our adult players and adult volunteers because all of our adult players and adult volunteers have the potential to have contact with youth players under the age of 18 years. Youth players and volunteers aged 17 years or older on or before the 31st of December of the current season may apply to complete SafeSport training in advance of their 18th birthday if they have parental consent.
Note: Exemption from SafeSport training is available for adult TOPSoccer players who are unable to complete the required SafeSport training as provided by the US Center for SafeSport because of a disability. For questions about the risk management requirements or the waiver, please contact Lynda Ison, LYSA TOPSoccer League Director, at TOPSoccerLEX@gmail.com.