Grand Terrace TOPSoccer Hosts Yucaipa in Dynamite vs. Dynamite Matchup

Every week Coach Richard Irwin and Coach Flora Sanft and their TOPSoccer team practice for their Saturday morning game, and every Saturday, each player suits up and gets ready to play against one of Grand Terrace’s soccer teams in a exhibition match. This past Saturday, Oct. 12, was different, as the Grand Terrace TOPSoccer team hosted the TOPSoccer team from Yucaipa to play them head-on, Dynamite versus Dynamite, in an exciting game between the two teams. High fives and constant encouragement were heard throughout the game. Big smiles could be seen and squeals of laughter could be heard from the field as the kids kicked the ball toward the net to the roar of their fans cheering for the sidelines. In the end, both teams came out winners and every kid was the MVP of the game. Grand Terrace Community Soccer Club hosts its own TOPSoccer program under the leadership of Coaches Irwin and Sanft and a few “buddies”—youth players who also volunteer time at games and practices, including Alexsis Sanft, Derek Sanft, Dillon Walker, Kristen Irwin, Michael Ramirez, Meaghen Martin and Hunter Clubb. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) has been a part of Cal South, the parent program of the Grand Terrace Community Soccer Club, since 1991. It is specifically designed to help athletes living with physical and mental disabilities participate in the sport. Coach Irwin not only teaches the kids the fundamentals of soccer—including ball handling, kicking, throw-ins, and training drills—but he also instills a love for the sport, team spirit, and a winning attitude in each of his TOPSoccer players. Every one of his players leaves the field knowing that he or she is a champion.