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TOPSoccer

NJ Youth Soccer Hosts TOPSoccer Jamboree with Toms River FC

Meredith Waropay, NJ Youth Soccer

New Jersey Youth Soccer recently hosted a TOPSoccer Jamboree at the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams in collaboration with RWJBarnabas Health and Toms River FC. The purpose of the event, and the overall goal of TOPSoccer, is to give players with disabilities an opportunity to develop physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self-esteem through the game of soccer.

The turnout was great for the TOPSoccer Jamboree, which consisted of TOPSoccer training for players, along with a gathering for volunteer buddies and coaches who helped with activities. Volunteers first gathered in the morning to learn how to contribute to TOPSoccer training in their own organization before the youth player participants joined in the afternoon for a celebration full of soccer activities.

“It was a privilege to host a NJYS TOPSoccer Jamboree at the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams, a one-of-a-kind, inclusive recreational complex created for the disability community,” said Justin Edelman, Senior Vice President Corporate Partnerships, RWJBarnabas Health. “This program aligns perfectly with our commitment to inclusion and supporting community-based initiatives, and it was incredibly rewarding to work with NJ Youth Soccer and Toms River FC at such a meaningful event.”

TOPSoccer emphasizes development and training over competition, helping athletes to develop at their own pace and participate based on their individual abilities. The Toms River FC TOPSoccer Program is spearheaded by Vincent Guardino and Donna King, and it is one of the largest in the state.

“The two-hour session on a beautiful spring afternoon was well attended by players, buddies and coaches,” said Lou Mignone, NJYS TOPSoccer Director. “Participants enjoyed a variety of safe, fun and engaging activities that emphasized skill building, positive team dynamics and exercise wellness. Festive music was also part of the exciting experience. The morning of the event featured free in-person TOPSoccer Coach and Buddy Courses, and the evening prior offered the same free training within a virtual format.”

The event featured a special guest in Pete Bussa, who is a US Youth Soccer East Region TOPSoccer Committee Member.

“Lou ran an awesome practice. He had all the players involved all the time, and the Buddies were equally involved with their players,” said Bussa. “I especially liked having the music playing. Every now and again, I would catch players throw in a little dance move as they played. Vinnie and Toms River FC could not have been a more gracious host. The whole day was the essence of what TOPSoccer is all about. It is not all about soccer, but we can do it through soccer. I tell new coaches all the time, ‘if we send these kids home with rosy cheeks and a smile on their face, it has been a great day!’”

This NJYS TOPSoccer Jamboree was made possible with support and donations from RWJBarnabas Health, Hudl, Wilson Trophy and Jersey Mike’s, along with additional giveaways from the sponsors of the Toms River FC TOPSoccer Program.

To become a recognized NJYS TOPSoccer Program, a minimum of five players with disabilities must be registered. Also, a minimum of one TOPSoccer Coach needs to complete a four-hour TOPSoccer Coach Course, and at least one TOPSoccer Buddy needs to successfully complete a two-hour TOPSoccer Buddy Course. These courses help train Buddies and Coaches on how to make TOPSoccer Programs a fun, safe and inclusive experience. Emphasis is placed on effective communication strategies, problem-solving and successfully guiding players.

If you are interested in starting a TOPSoccer Program at your club or community organization, we encourage you to contact Coach Lou Mignone at lou@njyouthsoccer.com.

Diane Cruz Honored As NJYS TOPSoccer Volunteer of the Year

Christine Gloth, NJ Youth Soccer

New Jersey Youth Soccer continues its celebration of the 2024 NJYS Awards Presented by RWJBarnabas Health, officially recognizing Diane Cruz of Cranford Soccer Club as the NJYS TOPSoccer Volunteer of the Year.

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities. Developed by US Youth Soccer, TOPSoccer provides an opportunity for those with diverse abilities to play the game in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive and inclusive.

“I am truly honored to be recognized as the NJYS TOPSoccer Volunteer of the Year,” said Cruz. “I want to thank NJYS, RWJBarnabas Health, Cranford Soccer Club and the Cranford community for all their support of this program. My goal when bringing TOPSoccer to our community was to create more inclusivity through soccer, but we have achieved so much more. This award is a celebration of the collective efforts of our community in fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, experiences the joy of participation and belonging.”

Diane Cruz has been an integral member of the Cranford Soccer Club Board for more than 10 years. She led efforts to bring TOPSoccer to Cranford and has run a very successful program. She was heavily involved in the program’s logistical implementation into the Cranford Soccer Club framework, and she also obtained grants for the program, doing all of this work as a non-compensated volunteer. Since its launch, the focus of the program has been on the athlete experience, encouraging the development of social skills and teamwork while modeling perseverance and instilling confidence in the participants.

Her mission when starting TOPSoccer at Cranford Soccer Club was to provide a soccer experience for kids with disabilities that was similar to what every athlete receives from the club. This included new equipment, paid professional trainers and full uniform kits with their names on them. Her thoughtful selection of athlete “Buddies” and coaches grouped by interest level and ability, as well as refereeing games herself, have all contributed to the success of the program. In her years as Director of TOPSoccer at Cranford Soccer Club, Cruz has been to nearly all monthly Board Meetings to ensure that TOPSoccer was represented and had a “seat at the table.”

Soccer is a passion throughout the Cruz family, and Diane has two children who play for Cranford Soccer Club, including one son who is both a player and certified referee. As a teacher for Cranford Public Schools, Cruz has always put the needs of others before her own, and she is an established mentor of young children in the Cranford community.

In addition to a plaque to commemorate her achievement, Cruz was treated to a congratulatory video tribute from Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer, that was played on video screens for the awards dinner audience to enjoy. She also received a custom ball from SIGND displaying a QR code that provided access to her personalized video.

NJ Youth Soccer recently held its 2024 NJYS Annual Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health, where many players, coaches and guests of the soccer community were on hand at the Pines Manor in Edison, N.J. With more than 1,000 attendees, the event saw a capacity crowd for the annual celebration.

To find out more information about New Jersey Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer 

NJYS TOPSoccer Aspires to Make the Game Accessible to Players with Disabilities

TOPSoccer is a community-based program that provides training and team placement for young athletes with disabilities. The program provides training and assistance for affiliated programs to better serve players with physical or intellectual disabilities.

“TOPSoccer facilitates safe, fun and inclusive soccer playing environments that are holistically adapted to an appropriate level of challenge for each individual player,” said Lou Mignone, NJYS TOPSoccer Director. “The Buddies and Coaches are committed to supporting and guiding players with care, enthusiasm and unconditional individual attention. Players, through enriching experiences within the beautiful game, develop a wide range of skills and a strong sense of belonging and enjoyment.”

New Jersey Youth Soccer has continued to see an increase in TOPSoccer Programs among its club members and other organizations throughout the state, with several new programs being established in recent months. Player registration, as well as TOPSoccer Coach and Buddy training, is currently offered at no cost due to the generous support of RWJBarnabas Health.

“We saw a need to offer an essential program for our special needs community,” said Antonio Pagkalinawan, TOPSoccer Coordinator of Watchung Hills SC. “Helping our community and helping kids to be excellent citizens by helping others is a core principle of our Club. We don’t just say it but actually put it into practice. The best part of TOPSoccer is seeing the smiling, happy faces of the players and families as well as the buddies.”

The overall goal of TOPSoccer is to give children with disabilities an opportunity to develop physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self-esteem through the game of soccer. TOPSoccer emphasizes development and training over competition, helping athletes to develop at their own pace and participate based on their individual abilities.

“We love the inclusiveness and methodology of TOPSoccer, which is perfect for our community,” said representatives from Club Dreams, a down syndrome enrichment center in Ewing, New Jersey. “Our missions align perfectly. TOPSoccer’s mission and our mission ‘dedicated to providing support, education, opportunity and enrichment to persons with Down Syndrome and their families’ are in complete alignment. We love how TOPSoccer helps instill social skills, teamwork, perseverance and confidence in the players while including Buddies to help cultivate these concepts.”

The success of NJYS TOPSoccer is thanks in large part to the generous support of RWJBarnabas Health, which makes player registration, TOPSoccer Coach training and TOPSoccer Buddy training available at no cost to participants.

“RWJBarnabas Health is committed to supporting community-based initiatives where individuals from underserved populations have an opportunity to stay active and learn valuable life lessons,” said Justin Edelman, Senior Vice President Corporate Partnerships, RWJBarnabas Health. “TOPSoccer is such a meaningful program for the kids, as well as the buddies who volunteer their time.”

To become a recognized NJYS TOPSoccer Program, a minimum of five players with disabilities must be registered. Also, a minimum of one TOPSoccer Coach needs to complete a four-hour TOPSoccer Coach Course, and at least one TOPSoccer Buddy needs to successfully complete a two-hour TOPSoccer Buddy Course. These courses help train Buddies and Coaches on how to make TOPSoccer Programs a fun, safe and inclusive experience. Emphasis is placed on effective communication strategies, problem-solving and successfully guiding players.

If you are interested in starting a TOPSoccer Program at your club or community organization, we encourage you to contact Coach Lou Mignone at lou@njyouthsoccer.com.

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