By Tamas Mondovics
Brandon and surrounding area youth with mental or physical disabilities who would like to learn and play soccer can now register to join Brandon TOPSoccer for the upcoming fall season.
Organized by youth soccer association volunteers, and locally sponsored by The Brandon Area Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) now West Florida Flames, Brandon TOPSoccer, (The Outreach Program for Soccer) gives boys or girls, age 5 and up, with special needs a chance to enjoy the sport as well as good association.
“Our goal is to enable our young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of Florida Youth Soccer and the U.S. Youth Soccer family,” said Ken Muzyk a member of TOPSoccer board of directors.
Muzyk added that as a corporate and individually sponsored program with no cost for the family, TOP Soccer’s fall season is a great opportunity for families to take advantage of.
“Our program is a relaxed format with no practices, score keeping or team standings—just fun games,” Muzyk said. “It’s all for the kids.”
Starting its 18th season this year, Brandon TOPSoccer hosts its programs at BAYSL, 3104 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon, behind Kingswood Elementary School.
Since its start, the program has grown annually from 25 players in 1998 to more than 120 last year, which gives clear testimony to its continued success and need in the community.
The 2016 season is scheduled to start on Saturday, September 10, at 9 a.m., and will run through November 19.
Fall season registrations will began on Friday, August 12 (6-8 p.m.), Saturday, August 13 (9 a.m.-12 Noon), Friday, August 19 (6-8 p.m.), Saturday, August 20 (9 a.m.-12 Noon), Friday, August 26 (6-8 p.m.), Saturday, August 27, (9 a.m.-12 Noon) at the BAYSL clubhouse.
Players must be 5 years old on or before September 10, 2016, and must bring a copy of their Individual Education Plan form to registration.
TOP Soccer is currently seeking volunteers and coaches, which gives high school students an excellent way to earn community hours.
Adding to its nearly two decades of success, Brandon TOPSoccer, now the largest TOPSoccer club in the state and among the top 10 in the nation, was recognized last year by the Florida Youth Soccer Association as the Program of the Year.
Anyone interested in coaching a team may contact Muzyk at 657-5271 or Fred Englehardt co-founder at brandontops@aol.com. Visit www.brandontopsoccer.com.
