Hattiesburg Futbol Club will hold three TOPSoccer sessions this fall, giving children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities an opportunity to play soccer in a supportive environment.
The sessions are scheduled for Sept. 26, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 at the Hattiesburg Futbol Club Soccer Fields at Tatum Park, 101 Parkway Blvd.
TOPSoccer, or The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a recreational program offered through local US Youth Soccer-affiliated clubs. The program helps athletes develop foundational soccer skills while encouraging social skills, teamwork, perseverance and confidence.
Jamie Watson, who coaches the Hattiesburg program, has worked with people with disabilities throughout her career, including nearly seven years as a special education teacher.
“Soccer is for everyone,” Watson said. “It’s for all nationalities. It’s for all the abilities. … That’s the beautiful thing about soccer.”
Each session begins with a warm-up and time for participants to meet one another before practicing skills such as passing and dribbling. Sessions end with an assisted or unassisted scrimmage based on each athlete’s needs.
Volunteers, known as buddies, work alongside participants. Some athletes want a buddy with them throughout the session, Watson said, while others prefer to complete activities independently with someone nearby to encourage them.
Watson said having the same volunteers and athletes return for multiple sessions can help build relationships.
“When we do, that’s when we see great friendships form,” Watson said.
One of Watson’s favorite parts of the program is seeing athletes return and become more comfortable participating.
“I love seeing them come back and getting excited and giving high fives when they have success,” Watson said.
As the program grows, Watson said she would like to see more opportunities for athletes who want to play competitively.
“There are athletes — that’s what they want to do, and they’re competitive,” Watson said. “That’s what I would love to see them have — that opportunity.”
Watson said volunteers do not need previous soccer experience.
Athletes and volunteers can register through the club’s GotSport registration page.Questions can be directed to Watson at [email protected].
Contributor: Aiden Le
