PHILOSOPHY

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TOPSoccer (TOPS) is a community-based program for young athletes with disabilities that is organized by Wilmington Youth Soccer Association (“WYSA”) volunteers. TOPS is designed to provide the opportunity to learn and play the game of soccer to any child with mental and/or physical disabilities.

WYSA’s TOPS was created for the purpose of supporting the United States Youth Soccer Association’s mission statement as it applies to disabled young athletes. In part, that mission statement dictates that we all work together “to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of Americans through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.”

GENERAL OVERVIEW

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TOPS, overseen by the Board of Directors of WYSA, provides soccer training and recreation for children between the ages of five (5) and eighteen (18) years old with a disability that is recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act. For safety reasons, players must be able to participate without the aid of motorized equipment. Players must submit all necessary medical forms and waivers as required by WYSA in order to participate.
The number of participants will be determined by the number of children registered on-time and the number of volunteers for the TOPS program.
Children participating in TOPS are to be registered during WYSA’s regularly scheduled registration periods.
All TOPS sessions are held at either the Shawsheen School or Woburn Street School field. Field size and activities will be determined based upon the physical and mental abilities of the participants. Each session is one hour long on Saturdays as part of WYSA’s In-Town Soccer Program. Sessions cancelled due to weather may or may not be made up at the end of the season.
Each child registered to participate in TOPS will receive a new soccer uniform consisting of a soccer jersey and socks. A new soccer ball will be given to each first-time participant. Shin pads are required. No jewelry will be allowed with the exception of medic alert tags.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of WYSA maintains responsibility for the overall operation of TOPS, but may establish a committee to oversee TOPS. The Board of Directors may also appoint an individual, other than a member of the Board of Directors, to act as a liaison between the TOPS participants and the Board of Directors.

Additionally, the WYSA In-Town Committee, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, shall be responsible for the operation of TOPS, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Registering TOPS participants including players, coaches and volunteers;

2. Recruiting coaches and volunteers;

3. Scheduling all TOPS sessions;

4. Communicating with other committees as needed;

5. Providing regular updates to the Board of Directors as required;

6. Resolving all routine issues affecting TOPS;

7. Communicating all WYSA philosophies and policies to TOPS coaches, volunteers and

parents;

8. Modifying the rules of the game of soccer as the In-Town Committee deems appropriate;

9. In the sole discretion of the In-Town Committee, limiting the number of TOPS

participants due to safety concerns;

10. Ensuring that all players have completed necessary paperwork including registration forms, medical releases and waivers and that all coaches and volunteers have completed CORI applications, all as required by this policy and by the Board of Directors.

11. Ensuring that all necessary forms are provided to the WYSA Registrar.

COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS

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TOPS coaches should abide by the philosophies, rules and policies of WYSA. Coaches should be aware and follow the guidelines of this Policy and WYSA’s In-Town Policy. All coaches and volunteers will be required to submit to a CORI check prior to working directly with any TOPS participant.
TOPS COACHES GUIDELINES

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1. Maintain an atmosphere of FUN and recreation

2. Keep children of similar abilities together

3. Keep all children involved

PARENTS

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ALL PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

1. Ensure that their child arrives on time to the session

2. Attend the sessions and cheer for all participants

3. Become a volunteer for TOPS (CORI check required)

4. Provide a good example for all the children by following the philosophies and policies of WYSA

5. Speak to a Board Member if your child is having a problem with a coach, volunteer or fellow participant

6. Be respectful towards all players, parents, coaches and volunteers

PLAYERS

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Players should arrive and be ready to participate at their own pace and to have FUN
PROCEDURES

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PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND REGISTRATION
Any person between the ages of five (5) and eighteen (18) with a disability that is recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act is eligible to participate in TOPS. Residency in the Town of Wilmington is not required, however, preference will be given to Wilmington residents and then to Wilmington Public School attendees, in the event of space limitations. Each player must submit a completed registration form, medical releases and waivers before being deemed eligible to participate.
All late registrations will be placed on a waiting list and subsequently into TOPS only if space is available.
TOPS COACHES SELECTION

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Coaching in the TOPS program is a very rewarding experience, regardless of your expertise in soccer. Coaches and volunteers will be selected based on their willingness to participate, their ability to work with children of varied physical and mental abilities and after having provided the Board of Directors with all information needed to complete a CORI check.
GRIEVANCES

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The In-Town Committee strives to operate an excellent program and encourages all comments, both positive and negative, as well as any constructive suggestions that may improve TOPS.

Any grievance would be submitted to a member of the Board of Directors in the form of a signed letter. Anonymous complaints will not be addressed. All grievences will be confidential to the parties involved. The In-Town Committee will investigate all complaints brought to its attention and will seek a satisfactory resolution. Some actions may require approval of the Board of Directors. In this case, the In-Town Committee will submit its recommendation to the Board of Directors prior to its final decision.

Anyone submitting a written complaint will receive a written response from the In-Town Committee or the Board of Directors.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WAIVER

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All participants will be required to submit any and all forms required by Board of Directors and/or the In-Town Committee. Anyone failing to submit the needed forms will be placed on the waiting list until such forms have been received by WYSA.
FEES

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Eligible participants may register for TOPS free of charge. In the event that a participant is not a resident of the Town of Wilmington, the Board of Directors reserves the right to require the payment of a fee to cover expenses associated with participation in TOPS.

The Board of Directors of WYSA reserves the right to modify this Policy at any time if, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, such modifications are for the benefit of TOPS, its participants, and/or WYSA in general.

PROCEDURES

Approved by Board of Directors February 13, 2005