Ups and Downs

5 Tips for Future LYSA TOPSoccer Volunteers

After a long season full of physical stress, conquering emotional difficulties, and dragging myself out of my dorm room every Sunday morning, my time with LYSA TOPSoccer has come to an end. In recognition of a great season, TOPSoccer athletes, coaches, and volunteers joined together at Henry Clay High School to look back on the fall session and give awards to recognized athletes and family members.

In reminiscence of this season, I would like to dedicate this post to future volunteers and give them the top 5 tips they should learn before volunteering with this program. I know that this was a difficult learning experience for me, and I would've loved some advice before entering the program, so that's exactly what I've set out to do today, give some helpful advice :)

#5: Communicate

At first, I was very intimidated to work hands on with my buddy. I was afraid he wouldn't understand me, or would quickly become frustrated and aggressive like I had seen him behave with the coaches. However, I found that if you just get on your player's level, share eye contact, and truly let them know you're welcome to whatever they're feeling, they quickly open up to you. Using the right communication skills with your athlete will allow them to be open and comfortable with you, leading to a better experience for you both.

#4: Be yourself

It can be very tempting to change who you are or how you behave around the athletes with disabilities -- DON'T do this! The coaches and staff have chosen you as a volunteer for a reason! More than likely, you're capable of working with others, you're comfortable in your own shoes, and you're easy to talk to. That's exactly what these athletes need in a buddy: someone they can look up to. Don't change who you are just to fit in or make the time pass quicker. If you allow yourself to be present and open, you'll learn something about your athlete as well as yourself.

#3: Treat the athletes with equal respect

In any situation, I like to apply the golden rule: "treat others the way you want to be treated". These athletes are unique and beautiful just the way they are. Even though they may be different than yourself, I invite you to treat them as your equal or your superior. Don't talk down at your athlete and make sure they're aware of how important they are as a member of the team. At the end of the day, we are all humans, and each of us deserves our entitled respect.

#2: Be patient

Working with one athlete every week can become repetitive, and even annoying. However, each practice is the chance for lessons to be learned and relationships to be strengthened. Even when the practices become daunting and you would rather be anywhere but in the middle of a soccer field in 55 degree weather on a Sunday afternoon, realize that patience is key. Learn to tolerate your impatience and allow yourself to be in the present moment. For example, my athlete, Caleb, loved to run away from the practices. If I let go of his hand for more than 3 seconds, he would be yards away in a full sprint. Chasing after him all the time could be very annoying, but I knew I was the only person there who could get him to return to the practice field. If I had become frustrated and walked out on Caleb every time he ran away, he may have become seriously injured or removed from the program. Your present moment is more important than anything else. Don't let small things get in the way of your experience with this amazing program.

#1: Even if it's not required, go to the practices

Although CIS 112 only requires students to receive 10 hours of volunteering credit with their service learning organization, I would challenge every volunteer to go to as many practices and events as possible. Especially with TOPSoccer it's very important that the athletes buddy is there every week, otherwise they have no one to help them through the practices. Believe me, I know how hard it is to roll out of bed on a Sunday morning and go anywhere. Due to my busy schedule, I was unavailable for many of these practices, which I regret not going to. By the end of my 3rd and final practice with TOPSoccer, Caleb was constantly hugging me around the neck and trying to kiss me on the cheek to symbolize how much he appreciated me being there for him those 3 weeks. I wish I had gotten the chance to grow closer to him. Although there are plenty of other distractions, I would encourage every volunteer to attend practice every Sunday and cherish your time with your athlete. You're changing their lives in more ways than you know.

I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with this program and I want to wish the incoming volunteers a very happy season!

A Round of Applause

And that is a wrap!  LYSA TOPSoccer’s fall 2015 season has come to an end.  

This past Sunday I attended the end of season party to celebrate all of the athletes and their hard work.  It was held at Henry Clay High School in Lexington from 1-3PM in the cafeteria.  

Ceremony Room

My classmates and I showed up early to help set up.  We organized the carnival room full of games and prizes, as well as the dining area.  Rachel and I were put in charge of Halloween decorations - we may have gone a bit overboard . . . oops!  But, I have to say, it was one festive looking cafeteria.  

I was assigned to work the prize wheel.  It was numbered one through eight and each even number correlated to a prize - soccer pencil, vampire teeth, temporary tattoos, etc.  Janice, the TOPSoccer volunteer coordinator, told me that each child had two chances to spin and win a prize.  Well…I did not exactly have the heart to tell the kids they did not win so I let them keep spinning until they landed on an even number.  Again, oops.  

Sweet Joella watching her teammates receive their trophies!

The athletes and their families arrived, all in Halloween costumes.  They first went through the carnival room, making scary masks, spinning the prize wheel, guessing the number of candy corn kernels in a bowl.  Next was lunch, catered by Fazoli’s and Cane’s with a different dessert brought by each family.  

The best part came next: the recognition ceremony.  Each team was called to stand in front of the room as their coaches praised their successes and accomplishments.  Each athlete walked away with a trophy and a smile from ear to ear.  

A player hugging his coach

It was sweet to watch each athlete receive their trophy and recognition, especially the kids I worked closely with throughout the season.  What was even sweeter was watching the parents’ faces as their children were recognized.  It was apparent how unique and rare the experience was to see their child praised in front of an audience, as their children probably do not have the opportunity to attend regular school/sports banquets.  The pride in their hearts and love for their children was written all over their faces.  To have an outside adult praise their child meant the world to them, I could just tell.  

I wish the parents could know how much of an impact their children had on me.  I am sure they think us volunteers show up because it is a mandatory service project for a class that we just want an A in.  And maybe that was the case the first day.  But, it quickly became so much more than that.  These small miracles taught me how to accept everyone for who they are, flaws and perfections and all.  They reminded me that life is one small step at a time and as long as it is a step forward, it is a step worth taking.  I am grateful to the parents for allowing me to be a part of their child’s life.  

The banquet was a sweet end to a humbling experience!

My three buddies

Me and Luc during TOPSoccer practice

Me and Luc during TOPSoccer practice

Looking Back on Lessons Learned

After weeks and weeks of practice, I have seen so much improvement within the minds of all the wonderful LYSA TOPSoccer children. The Halloween themed team party that we attended about two weekends ago was definitely the perfect way to close this amazing season with the most amazing team. It was held at a local high school in the cafeteria, so let's just say we sure had a lot of decorating to do. The other volunteers and I arrived about an hour beforehand to start setting up all of the fun activities that TOPSoccer had planned. We furiously hung streamers, set up games, and decorated as much as we could with all of the Halloween decorations we could find. Seeing all of the dedicated volunteers work so hard to prepare a party for these kids just really shows how devoted we are to this organization.

Team photo from picture day

As soon as the kids started arriving, I got put on bowling duty. There was a bowling game set up towards the back of the cafeteria that I was supposed to man for the next few hours, and I had no idea how popular that game would end up being. To say the least, I could not take my eyes off the bowling ball for five seconds because of how intense the children were making the game! By the time that most of the players were heading towards the food and away from the games, the area I was in was starting to clear out; and around the corner comes Damien, one of my favorite players who I ended up growing very close with by the end of the season. He ran up and gave me a huge hug, which ultimately made my day.  The smile on Damien's face when he knocked all the pins down is something I will forever have etched into my mind: pure and true happiness. The impact that I have made on him throughout this past season will be something that I will most definitely remember for the rest of my life.

Player receiving hug during ceremony

After lots of delicious food and desserts, it was time for the awards ceremony. One by one, each of the players were recognized by their coaches and given a giant trophy as well as a giant hug. The pictures that I took during these moments were just priceless, and I could truly see how proud the player's parents were of them. Another thing I noticed during this ceremony was how many teams there were, I was just under the impression that there were the two teams that practiced at Masterson State Park with us on Sundays; but, there were actually a few other teams besides those, therefore showing how widespread this organization really has become through the years.

All in all, this team party truly wrapped up this season perfectly with smiles and trophies all around. The amount of lessons learned and relationships built these past few months have truly impacted me as well as my stance on those in the disabled community.