Giving Back
TOPSoccer in Natomas FA
“Everyone plays Soccer! ‘Everyone’ includes children/athletes wth barriers to being integrated into traditional programs.” says Creed Larrucea, Technical Director of Natomas FA.
“We would like to see robust participation and a chance to integrate children in TOPSoccer and other events within the club.”
“Volunteering for TOPSoccer was very rewarding” –Nick Lyons, 16
“I love being a buddy for TOPSoccer, it feels great to be able to help” – Adi Rooprai, 15
“The time spent volunteering is the best time” – Jai Rooprai, 10
Who doesn’t remember kicking a ball once in a while? The game of soccer, so popular, affordable, versatile and exhilarating, can be played anywhere: in a park, backyard, driveway, back alley, and with my kids, all over in the living room. Two of my three kids play on Natomas Futbol Academy (Natomas FA) soccer teams. Natomas FA is soccer program in our community that serves kids and adults of all ages. Be it recreation league, competitive league or summer camp, they offer all programs.
However, an important part of our community was not being served, our athletes with special needs! While talking to Creed Larrucea, Technical Director and my son’s soccer coach, I found out about this program “TOPSoccer” that Natomas FA was trying to bring to Natomas.
TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer), a community based program, provides an opportunity to experience the benefits and joys of soccer to athletes with special needs. It strives to bring soccer community together to make a difference in the lives of the participants. All coaches, buddies, administrators are volunteers, and support the program with passion.
So when Creed offered that I work on developing the TOPSoccer program in Natomas under Natomas Futbol Academy, I jumped at the chance. It was hard work, but with support from Creed Larrucea, Jason Carter, Amber Hustead, Karen Esparza, and Erin Morton, we were able to get the program off the ground with TOPSoccer Friday Free Play. With constant and consistent support from Marc Laver of Jonnie and Friends Reach for Stars Foundation, we feel confident that it can be a wonderful program for our community that will bring us even closer. The intensity and passion with which everyone in Natomas FA, from President Zack Spencer, to the youngest volunteers (10 year old Atiksh, Jai and Josh) particiapate, it makes me so proud of our soccer family and Natomas community.
Natomas is the most diverse community I have ever been in and people are so accepting, kind, generous and inclusive, that it’s infectious.
Thank you Dr Rooprai for sponsoring the TOPSoccer program.
- Satty Rai
TOPSoccer NatomasFA
