Emerald Coast Rush

The Fourth Annual TOPSoccer Festival, hosted in partnership with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, brought joy, excitement, and community to athletes of all abilities. This year’s event, held at the Rowdies Training Facility, marked a significant milestone with participants, coaches, and volunteers coming together to celebrate the spirit of inclusion through the beautiful game. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based program designed to provide opportunities for athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. The annual festival has become a cornerstone event, showcasing how the power of soccer can bring people together and create unforgettable experiences. A Special Year for TOPSoccer TOPSoccer State Chairperson, Jenn DiTillio, reflected on the event’s success, sharing, “This year’s TOPSoccer Festival was something really special. Coaches from all over the state came together to make it an unforgettable experience. We added some fun new stations, and I’m thrilled to share that half of the attendees were experiencing TOPSoccer for the very first time! A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped out – your support made all the difference, and we couldn’t have done it without you!” The festival featured a variety of interactive stations, skill challenges, and small-sided games designed to engage athletes in a supportive and inclusive environment. New stations introduced this year brought added excitement and creativity, allowing participants to explore different aspects of the game while having fun. Building Community, Changing Lives One of the festival’s most remarkable highlights was its ability to welcome first-time participants. For many families, this was their first opportunity to experience the camaraderie and joy that TOPSoccer offers. The festival not only gave young athletes a chance to play but also helped parents and caregivers connect with the wider soccer community. Coaches and volunteers traveled from all over Florida to make the day a success. Their dedication to creating an inclusive environment ensured every participant felt encouraged and celebrated. From warm-up drills to goal celebrations, smiles were in abundance as athletes bonded over their shared love for the game. Emerald Coast Rush Staff Coach Loco and Coach Devin were in invited down to attend. " Even though we are not TOPSoccer coaches, we are FYSA carded coaches for EC Rush and we coach disabled children for VIP, so the FYSA committee invited us down. It was a great experience, we learned a lot and we also shared some of the great things that the VIP program has done" Said Coach Loco.