Soccer Program For Youngsters With Disabilities Registering For Fall Play

A soccer program for young athletes with disabilities organized by youth soccer association volunteers is recruiting players for the program’s fall league.

TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a community-based training and team placement program designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, age 5 and up, with a mental or physical disability.

The Brandon Area Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) sponsors TOPSoccer locally. Recently named the best recreational soccer program in the state, BAYSL has some 3,000 members in the greater Brandon area.

The league began sponsoring TOPSsoccer in 1998 when four former BAYSL board members wanted to offer soccer to youngsters with disabilities.

“We offered many different levels of soccer at BAYSL, but at that time there was nothing for kids with disabilities so we decided to start something,” said Ken Muzyk, who started TOPSoccer in Brandon with Fred Englehardt, Frank Figari and Al Snaider.

The special-needs league drew 25 youngsters in its inaugural season. Last year, 125 were played.

The games are all about fun and socializing. Players are placed with teams based on their age and ability, and there are no scores or referees.

“There are a limited amount of things for these kids to do so from this they get to make new friends and socialize,” Muzyk said. But it’s not just for the players. “The parents also get to meet and talk with other parents. It’s really a social and athletic event.”

The games also include youngsters in wheelchairs, pushed around the field by high school volunteers from Durant, Bloomingdale, Jesuit and Academy of the Holy Names. “We basically follow the rules of soccer but really it’s about the kids having fun.”

Muzyk, whose son played elite-level soccer for more than decade, enjoys every minute of it.

“It’s very gratifying for all of us to see the kids and parents come out and have a good time," he said. "My son played at a very competitive level for 13 years, but this is just about having a good time. It’s also my way to give back to soccer.”

How to Sign Up

Registration for TOPSoccer will be held at the Brandon FC Clubhouse, 3104 S. Kings Ave., Brandon: Sept. 9 (6-8 p.m.), Sept. 10 (9-11 a.m.), Sept. 16 (6-8 p.m.) and Sept. 17th (9-11 a.m.).

The 2011 TOPS season begins at BAYSL Saturday, Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. and runs through Nov. 19.

For more information, visit the TOPSoccer website, contact Ken Muzyk, 813-657-5271 or email Fred Englehardt at tops@brandonsoccer.com.