In all, US Youth Soccer awarded $85,000 to 14 TOPSoccer and 14 Soccer Start soccer groups through its annual grants program for soccer development. Since 1998, the organization has made over $2 million available for the growth of the game of soccer through grants and other financial support.

 

Soccer Start is designed to introduce the sport of soccer to youngsters living in communities not yet served by existing clubs and leagues. Focused on making soccer available to lower-income children in underserved communities, Soccer Start provides soccer training and administrative guidance to players and organizations that might otherwise not be exposed to the sport.

 

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.

 

“We believe US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer and Soccer Start programs further our mission of fostering the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America’s youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition,” said Larry Monaco, president of US Youth Soccer. “We are delighted with the overall quality of the applications received from around the country this year, and look forward to the many positives that are sure to follow.”

 

Since the first grants were made in 1998, US Youth Soccer has issued 408 awards to groups large and small across the United States. Specifically for TOPSoccer and Soccer Start programs, these grants continue to assist in soccer development programs and furthering the game for all kids.

 

The 2008 grants represent a wide array of community-based initiatives from across the country.