TOPSoccer concluded its final session of the season Thursday night with participating athletes earning a medal, a mini soccer ball and a pizza party following an evening of drills, games and fun times with community volunteers.
“It is always such a blessing to have the families come out and have the athletes come out and enjoy the game of soccer and have fun,” said Neil Henry, local TOPSoccer director and Meridian regional president of Citizens National Bank.
TOPSoccer is a nationwide, community-based soccer program designed for athletes with special needs. Free to participants, the program is provided locally through Meridian Youth Soccer Organization, which is affiliated with Mississippi Soccer Association and United States Soccer Association.
The Parent Circle Support Group and The SPOT are partners in Meridian’s TOPSoccer program, along with local sponsors.
This fall, TOPSoccer took place on three consecutive Thursday evenings, beginning Oct. 3 and concluding Thursday, at the Northeast Soccer Complex.
“We had 47 athletes register this year,” he said. “We have anywhere from 4-year-olds on up to 54-year-olds.”
Dozens and dozens of community residents stepped up to serve as volunteers during the three weeks, he said, including both the men’s and women’s soccer teams from Meridian Community College, the boys soccer team at Northeast Lauderdale High School, an Alliance Futbol Club U9 girls team, volunteers from Citizens National Bank and the Optimist Club and other community residents.
“Seeing young people giving of their time and volunteering and serving others and doing it with a warm heart is one of the best parts,” Henry said.
Thursday night’s session was the final night of the season, or championship night.
“Tonight, we have Little Caesars Pizza, so we are going to have a pizza party, and they are going to get a gold medal, and they’re going to get a ball, and we are going to have a great time celebrating,” Henry said.
Rather than TOPSoccer in the spring, local efforts will turn indoors to basketball with Camp Hoops planned for late February, he said. It will follow a similar format as TOPSoccer and, once again, the camp will be in partnership with The SPOT and The Parent Circle Support Group.
Information regarding Camp Hoops will be forthcoming to The SPOT website at www.thespotfamily.com for anyone interested in participating or volunteering.