On TOP of the game
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on June 5, 2016 1:45 AM
News-Argus/ALAN CAMPBELL
Megan Sutton, 8, who has transverse myelitis, moves the soccer ball down the field Saturday during the final game of the season for Top Soccer of Goldsboro.
For the members of The Outreach Program for Soccer of Goldsboro, anything is possible.
The soccer program, which gives children with special needs an opportunity to learn and play the game as part of a team, held its last game of the season Saturday at the Wayne County United Soccer Club Fields.
The 17 athletes were joined by over 30 "buddies" from WCU, who helped teach and guide them through the game.
WCU coach Yacouba Ide, who organized the program, said the idea started as a way to let the children be themselves.
"Every kid has to have that opportunity at some point in life," he said.
"We feel like it's very important that we give kids the opportunity for just kid time."
The game was the first one to take place at the fields.
Previous weekly practices had been held either at Wayne Christian School or at the Goldsboro YMCA.
The TOP Soccer program in Goldsboro is one of six in the state, but President Tim Hall said that this particular organization is unique.
"We're a special one because we don't charge you anything to play here," he said.
"As long as I'm president, it'll be that way."
After warming up, the athletes and their buddies began going through a variety of exercises, which include dribbling the balls, throwing them in the air and catching them and stopping them while moving.
Then, it is game time.
The athletes each took turns dribbling the ball from one end of the field to the other and shooting, helped along by their buddies and coaches. Some got their quickly, some slowly, but everyone got their moment.
Megan Sutton, 8, was diagnosed with transverse myelitis as an infant. The disease causes weakness in the lower limbs, so Megan uses a motorized wheelchair for mobility. She moved the ball around the field with the front of her chair and used a special ramp to shoot.
For her part, Megan could hardly contain her excitement.
When asked if she enjoyed playing soccer, she answered with an emphatic "yes."
But it was the big nod of her head and even bigger smile that told everyone just how happy she felt out on the field with her friends.
TOP soccer had plans to continue next year around the same time after the traditional soccer season has ended.
There are also talks of a winter indoor program coming later this year.
For more information, visit the TOP soccer of Goldsboro Facebook page or send an email to TSofGoldsboro@gmail.com