US Youth Soccer has announced it has made funds available to 28 different groups nationwide as part of its 11^th annual grants program cycle.  South Lakes Soccer Club, located in Southwest Oklahoma City, has been notified that it is to receive one of these grants. Amongst the 28 programs, through its partnership with adidas, US Youth Soccer awarded $85,000 of grants for 2008.  These programs included 14 TOPSoccer and 14 Soccer Start programs.  Since 1998, the organization has made over $2 million available for the growth of the game of soccer through grants and other financial support.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. 
South Lakes TOPSoccer program was organized by club members Brenna Cooper and Elizabeth DiSalvatore as their 6^th grade community service project.  They both attend Red Oak Elementary where Principal Peggy Matlock challenges each 6^th grader to contribute back to their community with a volunteer effort of their choosing.  The girls immediately decided upon developing the TOPSoccer program at South Lakes. 
With their parents help and the support of the South Lakes Executive Board and Director of Coaching, Brandon Lawless, the girls have learned much.  They have held fundraisers, designed advertising, publicly spoken before groups about TOPSoccer, assisted with the grant application, handled all administrative aspects of the program and have actively recruited a coach, players and volunteer support.   At each practice, the girls organize volunteers and assist with coaching the players. They plan to continue leading the program in the future.
South Lakes TOPSoccer players met each Saturday during the spring soccer season for a training session and small sided scrimmages.  Amanda Espinosa coaches the team with the volunteer assistance of South Lakes Cosmos competitive team players.  “The team is progressing, and I’m so proud of each of them,” said Amanda. “Our focus is on what these players can do, not what they cannot do.  And they can do so much!  The enthusiasm they show for the game of soccer is inspiring.”
In its first season, South Lakes TOPSoccer has been a huge success.  “We have signed up new players each week,” said Elizabeth.  “With this grant from US Youth Soccer and adidas, we can give each of them a uniform jersey for the Fall 2008 season.”
Club support of the program has also been tremendous.  “Members of my team, the Cosmos 96 White team, along with their parents, have volunteered at every practice,” said Brenna.  “We’ve also had awesome support from other Cosmos teams, including the ’90 girls team, the ’94  boys team, the ‘95 girls and boys teams, and Elizabeth’s team, the ‘96 girls Blue team.  At times we’ve had 4 volunteers for each TOPSoccer player!”  There have been requests to participate from other Cosmos teams.  These teams are expected to volunteer in the Fall 2008 season.
Community support has also been outstanding.  In addition to a fundraiser organized by Elizabeth and Brenna, the program has received financial support from the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma, Monograms and More, Ryan Brackett, DDS, and Stover Physical Therapy.