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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Program formed for children with disabilities : The Southern Illinois Soccer League and Special Olympics Illinois partnership; 2011

The Southern Illinois Soccer League and Special Olympics Illinois are forming a TOPSoccer program for the Southern Illinois region.

TOPSoccer opens up the game of soccer to any boy or girl who has a mental or physical disability.

The program will begin Saturday, Aug. 20. A four-hour clinic will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Family Sportsplex in Belleville. Cost for the year-round program will be $25. The cost covers a TOPSoccer T-shirt, registration fee and medal at the end of the season.

Tentatively, the program has outlined its first year. Monthly clinics will be on a Saturday from August to February at a metro-east location. March through June a small-sided game league will be offered. A closing ceremony will be in June.

If you have questions about your athlete and whether the program fits his or her needs, contact Richard Crothers at 406-2727 or Jane Raede at Southern Illinois Soccer League at 558-1553.

Julie Foudy, who won two Olympic gold medals in soccer and was on two Women's World Cup winning teams for the United States, supports the program.

"It brings a sense of accomplishment and sheer joy to kids who otherwise would have to sit on the sidelines," Foudy said in a statement. "Parents can't praise it enough, the siblings enjoy helping and cheering, the kids' laughter and enthusiasm are infectious. In the program, everyone comes away a winner. I hope you'll get involved in TOPSoccer in your community."

# as posted by BND.com, Sunday, July 31, 2011
Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/07/31/1805794/program-formed-for-children-with.html#ixzz1TgloxRvA

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