Livermore Fusion SC kicked off its TOPSoccer program on October 8th, in conjunction with Cal North and US Youth Soccer, after a 3 year hiatus due to Covid. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based outreach training program for young athletes with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. The goal of the TOPSoccer Program is to enable these young athletes to become valued and successful members of the Fusion SC and US Youth Soccer families.

Fusion SC has a group of core values that we live by, including “Pride” in our community, and “Development” of our players.  It is important to Fusion SC to provide opportunities, like TOPSoccer, for young athletes that may not otherwise be able to play competitive sports. Throughout the year, Fusion SC hosts fundraising events such as the Fusion Frenzy Golf Scramble, and Fusion Night Out so we can do just that. Thanks to these fundraising events, and our generous donors, we are able to provide the TOPSoccer program at NO COST to the families.

The program kicked off with vibrant energy all around. With the help of our Special Education Advisor, Michala Morrow, sessions were created with the kids unique learning abilities in mind. Apryl Chauhan & Michelle Okamoto, both ASL Interpreters, were also on site to assist those kids with hearing impairments. The sessions are divided into two parts; the first part being technical training with a variety of skill stations to work on dribbling, passing and touches on the ball. The second part of each session is a scrimmage where players can use their new skills in a game setting while their parents cheer them on.

Coach Allan said this of the first day, “Today has been such a blessing! To work with these kids and see the joy on their faces, like they just won the world cup… this is what soccer is all about!” The parents were also elated to see such joy in the kids, and for the opportunity to get on the field.

The program will wrap up the first weekend in November and we look forward to bringing it back again in Fall 2024. Want more information on how to get involved? Please visit our website www.fusionsc.org/topsoccer, or email our Director of Fundraising and TOPSoccer, Susan Munkner, at susan@fusionsc.org.