August 13, 2001

US Youth Soccer awarding grants of over a quarter of a million dollars in cash and equipment to 57 TOPSoccer and Soccer Start programs

Over a quarter of a million dollars in cash and equipment will be awarded to assist these two signature children and children with disabilities.

Through the US Youth Soccer grant program, local and state-level soccer associations apply for grants to enrich these programs that help in extending the game of soccer to every child in the U.S. In 2001, US Youth Soccer will provide $132,080 in funded cash grants and $155,585 in equipment grants to 57 different soccer associations. Once the money has been awarded to the various programs, US Youth Soccer will monitor the progress of these grants throughout the year by requiring the receiving organization to submit status reports. The grant must be used during the program's fiscal year.

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, age 8-19, who has a mental or physical disability. The goal of US Youth Soccer is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to

become valued and successful members of the soccer family. Uniroyal™ Tire

is the title sponsor of the TOPSoccer program.

Soccer Start is designed to introduce the sport of soccer to youngsters living in communities not yet served by existing clubs and under-served communities, Soccer Start provides soccer training and administrative guidance to players and organizations that might otherwise not be exposed to the sport. Soccer Start also helps new programs find the funding and equipment to begin and then to expand their activities.

"Illinois Youth Soccer wants to thank adidas and US Youth Soccer for their continued support of our inner city programs. The funding has provided soccer uniforms, balls, shoes, equipment and programs to at-risk children in our poorest inner city communities," said Gus Bender, President of the Illinois Youth Soccer Association. "By providing an alternative to gang activity, by educating coaches and referees for job opportunities, by

identifying talented players for potential scholarships, and by teaching the participants, we have demonstrated that soccer has a social conscience."

For more information about US Youth Soccer's TOPSoccer and Soccer tart programs and a listing of all grants winners, log onto US Youth Soccer's website at youthsoccer.org. or contact Rob Martella, Director of Soccer Operations at US Youth Soccer at 800.476.2237, or rmartella@youthsoccer.org

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