Florida Celtic Adaptive Soccer Program Continues Oct. 31 in Belleair

Florida Celtic Soccer Club's fall adaptive soccer program continues Saturday, Oct. 31, at 9 a.m. in Belleair, with a Halloween-themed session open to children and adults with disabilities.

The Palm Harbor-based club runs the program through TOPSoccer, a US Youth Soccer initiative that stands for The Outreach Program for Soccer. The national program serves people with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities and is offered through US Youth Soccer-affiliated clubs, according to US Youth Soccer.

Players are grouped by ability rather than age. Trained volunteer "Buddies" provide individualized support to help participants stay safe, engaged and involved in activities. Coaches receive specialized training to adapt soccer activities to players' abilities.

Four Saturday sessions were scheduled for fall and winter, all at 9 a.m. at Belleair East Field at the Dimmitt Community Center, 918 Osceola Road, Belleair:

  • Oct. 17 (completed)
  • Oct. 31 (Halloween, costumes encouraged)
  • Nov. 28
  • Dec. 12

Parents are welcome to stay on the field with their children during activities. The club encourages parent involvement early on to help players get comfortable, with parents moving to the sidelines once their children are ready to participate independently.

Players should bring athletic clothes, tennis shoes or soccer cleats, and a water bottle.

Volunteers can earn Bright Futures hours

The club is also recruiting volunteers for the program. Each session offers up to four hours of potential Bright Futures volunteer credit, according to the club's announcement. Volunteers should bring their paperwork to be signed on-site.

Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship Program allows qualifying volunteer service and paid work hours to count toward scholarship eligibility, with requirements varying by award level. Students interested in earning credit through TOPSoccer should confirm eligibility and documentation requirements with their schools, according to the state program's website.

Player registration and volunteer sign-up are available through the club's website. Questions about the program can be directed to Chloe Hoffman at [email protected].

The next session falls on Halloween, with costumes encouraged.