TOPSoccer

The Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) recently hosted a TOPSoccer Festival in West Haven, bringing together players, families, volunteers and community supporters for an event filled with fun, inclusion and a love of the game.

“The 2025 TOPSoccer Festival was a great success due in part to the many volunteers who devoted their time and efforts,” said Dave Rodriguez, CJSA South Central District Vice President. “These volunteers also lead their club TOPSoccer programs each season, ensuring players have a place to play every weekend.”

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational program developed by US Youth Soccer for children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities. It provides a safe, fun and inclusive platform where players of all abilities can enjoy the game in a structured and supportive environment.

Soccer, Smiles and Celebration

The West Haven TOPSoccer Festival offered a variety of activities that kept players energized and engaged. From small-sided games and skills sessions to contests and parachute games, athletes had opportunities to showcase their abilities, build friendships and celebrate the joy of soccer together.

One of the highlights of the event was a parade on the West Haven High School track, where TOPSoccer players, coaches and volunteers walked side by side, greeted by cheers and applause from the community members in attendance. At the conclusion of the event, all athletes and volunteers were treated to a free lunch courtesy of the Town of West Haven.

View Photos from the West Haven TOPSoccer Festival

Community Partners Who Made It Possible

The West Haven TOPSoccer Festival was made possible through the efforts of many dedicated partners, including:

• West Haven Mayor Dorinda Keenan Borer and Her Staff
• West Haven High School’s Support Staff
• West Haven Soccer Club
• University of New Haven Men’s Soccer Program
• Students from Professor Wescott’s Adaptive Sports & Recreation Class at Quinnipiac University 
• CJSA TOPSoccer Festival Team

Their commitment and collaboration helped create a welcoming environment that embodied the true spirit of TOPSoccer. Thanks to generous support from PRIME Hydration and DICK’S Sporting Goods, participants also went home with giveaways including a t-shirt, soccer ball and sports bottle as lasting reminders of the festival’s energy and camaraderie.

Interested in Getting Involved?

The Connecticut Junior State Association is currently seeking new partners to help grow TOPSoccer around the state and make the game more readily available to young athletes of all abilities. Any CJSA clubs that are interested in learning more about adding TOPSoccer to their club offerings can contact topsoccer@cjsa.org or email CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Bill Fallon directly at coachbill01@comcast.net. The program is fully supported by US Youth Soccer and the Connecticut Junior State Association.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) is very excited to support a new Valley TOPSoccer Program that has officially launched in Seymour. Led by volunteers throughout the area along with the leadership of South Central District Board Member Vicki Andrews, the creation of Valley TOPSoccer further expands the goal of CJSA to provide soccer playing opportunities for every young person throughout the State of Connecticut.

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities. Developed by US Youth Soccer, TOPSoccer creates a platform for those with diverse abilities to play the game in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive and inclusive.

“This program has been a passion of mine for the past 12 years,” Andrews said of TOPSoccer. “My goal is to create an inclusive environment, as there is a strong need for programs like this in our community. Every child deserves to feel a sense of belonging. While children without disabilities have access to numerous programs and opportunities, children with unique abilities should have the same opportunities as well.”

Valley TOPSoccer (serving the entire Naugatuck Valley) is holding its fall sessions at the Seymour Middle School Soccer Field, with a group of dedicated coaches and buddies already making the program a great success. In addition to Vicki Andrews, the volunteer coaching staff includes Craig Andrews, a former youth soccer coach from Naugatuck, and Steven Kish, the head coach of the girls’ soccer program at Ansonia High School. Buddies, who help conduct all activities for the TOPSoccer sessions, consist of soccer players from Ansonia, Seymour and Southington.

“This latest collaboration by our clubs has already received recognition from US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer National Chair, David Robinson,” said Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “I want to thank all of the volunteers, and a special thank you goes to Vicki and CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Bill Fallon for their leadership and vision in launching this new program.”

Following a second session this past weekend, there are now two more fall clinics scheduled for this Sunday, October 13th, and next Sunday, October 20th. Both sessions will take place from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Seymour Middle School Soccer Field located at 80 Botsford Road in Seymour. New participants are welcome to attend and will receive a free soccer ball and t-shirt. If available, TOPSoccer players should bring their own cleats, sneakers and shin guards to the field.

To learn more about how you can bring a TOPSoccer Program to your club or town, please contact topssoccer@cjsa.org or send an email directly to CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Bill Fallon at coachbill01@comcast.net.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

The Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) hosted a TOPSoccer Festival this past weekend, where approximately 100 athletes, family members and volunteers enjoyed a fun afternoon full of games, activities and entertainment. Sponsored by DICK’S Sporting Goods, the CJSA TOPSoccer Festival took place at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Wallingford.

“Our inaugural CJSA TOPSoccer Festival was a tremendous success. Thank you to all of our sponsors and partners,” said Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “We also want to send out a special thank you to the South Central District and Wallingford Soccer Club for their hands-on involvement in carrying out the event for these amazing athletes.”

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities. Developed by US Youth Soccer, TOPSoccer provides an opportunity for those with diverse abilities to play the game in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive and inclusive.

The CJSA TOPSoccer Festival included small-sided games, skills sessions and contests. Each attendee enjoyed a complimentary meal from Los Mariachis and ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, also receiving a free t-shirt and soccer ball to commemorate the event. In addition to the tremendous volunteer work by the South Central District and Wallingford Soccer Club, partners for the CJSA TOPSoccer Festival included Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship professional league, Hartford HealthCare, Skyhawks Sports Academy and Wallingford Parks & Recreation. Also making an appearance at the festival was representation from the Southern Connecticut State University Women’s Soccer Program.

The Connecticut Junior State Association is currently seeking new partners to help grow TOPSoccer around the state and make the game more readily available to young athletes of all abilities. Any CJSA clubs that are interested in learning more about adding TOPSoccer to their club offerings can contact topssoccer@cjsa.org or send an email directly to CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Bill Fallon at coachbill01@comcast.net. The program would be fully supported by US Youth Soccer and the Connecticut Junior State Association.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

The Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) is hosting a TOPSoccer Festival this Saturday to kick off the summer, and the event will be free of charge for all participants. Sponsored by DICK’S Sporting Goods, the CJSA TOPSoccer Festival will take place from 1 PM to 3 PM at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Wallingford on Saturday.

Interested in attending? REGISTER HERE

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities. Developed by US Youth Soccer, TOPSoccer provides an opportunity for those with diverse abilities to play the game in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive and inclusive.

“TOPSoccer is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl with a disability,” said Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “The goal of TOPSoccer is to enable these young athletes to develop their physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self-esteem through the joy and excitement of playing soccer.”

The CJSA TOPSoccer Festival on Saturday will include small-sided games, skills sessions and contests. Additionally, the celebration will feature food trucks, ice cream and giveaways for attendees. Partners for the event include Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship professional league, Hartford HealthCare, Skyhawks Sports Academy and Wallingford Parks & Recreation. Also making an appearance at the festival will be representation from the Southern Connecticut State University Women’s Soccer Program.

If your business is interested in getting involved with this event, sponsor and partner opportunities are still currently available for the CJSA TOPSoccer Festival. Please contact executivedirector@cjsa.org to hear more about how your business can support this fun celebration.

All existing CJSA TOPSoccer Programs and their members are invited to participate in this free event. Any parents or players who are interested in learning more about TOPSoccer or would like to take part in the festival are also invited at no cost. Further, any CJSA clubs that are considering the addition of TOPSoccer to their offerings are encouraged to attend the festival and find out how they can start a program that would be supported by US Youth Soccer and the Connecticut Junior State Association. To learn more information in advance, please contact topssoccer@cjsa.org or send an email directly to CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Bill Fallon at coachbill01@comcast.net.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!

The Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) will be hosting a TOPSoccer Festival this May to kick off the summer, which will be free of charge for all participants. Sponsored by DICK’S Sporting Goods, the CJSA TOPSoccer Festival will take place from 1 PM to 3 PM at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Wallingford on Saturday, May 18th.

Interested in attending? REGISTER HERE

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities. Developed by US Youth Soccer, TOPSoccer provides an opportunity for those with diverse abilities to play the game in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive and inclusive.

“TOPSoccer is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl with a disability,” said Josh Krusewski, Executive Director of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. “The goal of TOPSoccer is to enable these young athletes to develop their physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self-esteem through the joy and excitement of playing soccer.”

The CJSA TOPSoccer Festival will include small-sided games, skills sessions and contests. The celebration will also feature food trucks, ice cream and giveaways for attendees. Also making an appearance at the festival will be representation from Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship professional league and the Southern Connecticut State University Women’s Soccer Program. Additional partners for the event include Hartford HealthCare, Skyhawks Sports Academy and Wallingford Parks & Recreation.

If your business is interested in getting involved with this event, sponsor and partner opportunities are currently available for the CJSA TOPSoccer Festival. Please contact executivedirector@cjsa.org to hear more about how your business can support this fun celebration.

All existing CJSA TOPSoccer Programs and their members are invited to participate in this free event. Any parents or players who are interested in learning more about TOPSoccer or would like to take part in the festival are also invited at no cost. Further, any CJSA clubs that are considering the addition of TOPSoccer to their offerings are encouraged to attend the festival and find out how they can start a program that would be supported by US Youth Soccer and the Connecticut Junior State Association. To learn more information in advance, please contact topssoccer@cjsa.org or send an email directly to CJSA TOPSoccer Chairperson Bill Fallon at coachbill01@comcast.net.

To contact the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, please call (860) 676-1161 or email office@cjsa.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!