At the 'top' of their game: Special needs kids score at Woodlands soccer camp

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Soccer, football, fútbol.

Whatever you call it, soccer is one of the most popular and easily accessible pastimes in the world.

The Houston Dynamo & Dash Youth Soccer Club recently hosted the third annual TOPS Soccer Camp presented by Bradbury Brothers and designed for children with special needs at the John Cooper School.

This year’s camp was organized by Anne Sophie Albers, a student at John Cooper.

“I've been helping out for three years now, and I just love seeing how happy both the kids and parents get when they come to these events,” Albers said. “It's definitely a challenge sometimes, but it is all worth it seeing the smiles on everyone's faces. I love doing this and encourage everyone to join, because it's such a great experience and makes a huge positive impact on the children."

The children work with their “buddies” – young volunteers who help run the camp and accompany the children as they learn fundamental skills like footwork, dribbling and shooting.

“It’s the third year of having a summer camp for TOPS and I would like to thank all the TOPS volunteers, the John Cooper School and the Bradbury Brothers for their participation and support,” Simon Boddison, Director of Soccer Operation said. “It was a very positive camp for everybody involved.”

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