HOW TO START A TOPSoccer PROGRAM

SANDY CASTILLO

CAL SOUTH TOPSoccer CHAIRPERSON

2007

MISSION STATEMENT

• To promote the growth of TOPSoccer by providing educational and practical support to Cal South Members and encouraging local affiliates to start and/or grow TOPSoccer programs in their communities.

GETTING STARTED

• Identify person/person willing to coach and administer program

• Contact State Association Chairperson to discuss questions/information regarding starting a program

• Set time, place, and date of first parent meeting– Secure location – Have necessary paper work ready for parents/Contact State

Association to obtain these forms:• Registration Forms• Medical information forms• Administrator Forms• Volunteer sign up forms• Parent Guides• Any additional forms your league requires

Flyer for School District/Regional Center

• Flyers for distribution to schools, regional centers, support groups should include the following information:– Coach/administrator’s name and contact information including

phone number and email address– Time, date, location and directions to meeting site

– General information of the TOPSoccer program• What is TOPSoccer • Who is eligible to participate• Time, day and place of practices/games• Cost to register• Website information for league

– HAVE TOPSoccer CHAIRPERSON REVIEW FLYER PRIOR TO DISTRIBUTION

• Take flyer to school district for approval.• Pick up approved flyer. Get list of schools that have

special education classes.– Ask District how many players are in each school

• How does the school require the flyers to be distributed

• Make copies of flyer, sort and distribute to schools.– Sort according to directions from school district

• Confirm location of meeting location

• Ask TOPSoccer Chairperson to attend meeting.– Chairperson is there to support you, not run the meeting

Additional Contacts

• Resource Center and any outreach program that assist parents of players with special– Contact center and deliver information regarding the program– Delivery any materials (i.e. flyers, parent guides)

• Newspaper– Contact local newspaper

• Ask how to get information for the informational meeting in the local paper• Write article for publication

– Article should have contact information, date, time and location of information meeting

• Newsletter– In addition to your own league, contact leagues within your school

district• Article for newsletter should include contact information, date, time and

location of information meeting

PRIOR TO MEETING

• Confirm location of meeting• Confirm attendance of State Association TOPSoccer

Chairperson– Chairperson is there to support you, not run your parent meeting

• Arrive at meeting at least 30 minutes early• Set out registration forms

– Player Registration forms

– Administrator forms

– Volunteer sign up

– Medical forms

– Parent guide

– Any additional forms your league requires

• Relax

Parent Meeting

• Discuss Mission Statement and your objectives• Cost of Program

– What will the players receive for the cost

• Players with Down Syndrome and AAI• Time, day and place of practice

– When program will start and end

• How the program will run– Skills only– Games or practices only– Games and practices

• Recruit volunteers• Inform parents how coaches will communicate with

parents

• Discuss any additional equipment player will need• Obtain phone numbers/emails for all parents• Inform parents of coaches email/phone number and

main contact• Discuss what will be expected of the parents and players• Answer questions from parents• REMEMBER, CHAIRPERSON IS THERE TO

SUPPORT YOU, NOT RUN THE MEETING. YOU WILL BE DEALING WITH THE PARENTS

First Practice

• Contact parents and remind them of the first day, time and place of practice

• Have all volunteers and coaches arrive a minimum of 30 minutes early to set up practice site and review game plan

– Introduce all coaches and volunteers– Explain what will be required from each of them– Remind them to have fun, be patient and learn the players names– Stress to them that if they have a problem to seek help

• Have all player equipment ready to hand out to• Greet all players and introduce them to their buddy and

coaches• Start practice• Remember that you may have to change your plans• Most importantly, have fun and relax

Additional Information

• Volunteers– High schools-many require community service for graduation– Local soccer clubs

• Newsletters• Competitive clubs

– Local churches-youth groups looking for community service – Siblings– Check with your State Association for Risk Management requirements

• Cost of program– support from your league

• How much will your league underwrite the program• Cost required for state fees• scholarship

– Cost of equipment• Uniforms

• Balls

• Soccer ball bags

• Trophies/medals

• Goals

• Cones

• Etc.

– State Chairperson/District Commissioner• Does the State Association/District Commissioner supply any

equipment to assist in the start up of a TOPSoccer program

– Donations and sponsorships• Contact local business to find sponsors

• Parents may have sources for additional sponsor