Children with disabilities ages 4 to 19 can play soccer for free in Vienna every Saturday afternoon during fall and spring seasons, paired one-on-one with trained volunteer buddies who keep them safe and engaged on the field.

The program is called TOPSoccer, one of three outreach efforts run by Vienna Youth Soccer. The 51-year-old nonprofit is headquartered at 311 Maple Ave. W.

VYS fully funds every TOPSoccer participant's registration, according to the organization. Coaches tailor drills to each player's ability, and players are grouped by skill level rather than age, following US Youth Soccer's national guidelines for the program.

Families interested in TOPSoccer can contact [email protected] for fall session details.

Recycle Your Game sends gear abroad

VYS also runs a twice-yearly equipment and uniform collection drive called Recycle Your Game, partnering with two nonprofits: Leveling the Playing Field, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Pass with Purpose, which distributes soccer kits to children globally.

A drive held in September of 2024 at Oakton High School generated more than 3,000 donated jerseys, shorts and socks from VYS member families, according to Pass with Purpose. Volunteers delivered that gear to children in Costa Rica in December 2024.

A permanent donation bin for gently used sports equipment sits at Nottoway Park, 9537 Courthouse Road, Vienna. Residents looking to volunteer for future drives can reach [email protected]. Middle school and high school students who help earn service learning hours.

Belong Vienna clinics

VYS volunteers run two soccer clinics each year for players participating in Belong Vienna events, according to the organization's outreach page.

The VYS outreach page is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese at vys.org/outreach-programs.