Volunteer Opportunities
At LYSA TOPSoccer, we are looking for enthusiastic individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of our athletes. We need coaches, assistant coaches, buddies, and administrative support staff.
Although experience playing or coaching soccer and working with people with disabilities is helpful, it is not required. Training is provided for all volunteers.
Volunteer Roles and Eligibility:
- Family & Volunteer Coordinator: Recruits and schedules volunteers, oversees check-in, and supports families and volunteers during sessions. Must be at least 21 years old and available to help during and outside of sessions.
- Head Coach: Leads practice sessions and supervises team volunteers. Must be at least 19 years old and available for all sessions for assigned team(s), unless one absence is approved in advance.
- Assistant Coach: Helps manage practice sessions. Must be at least 16 years old and available for all sessions for assigned team(s), unless one absence is approved in advance.
- Lead Buddy: Supports players and guides other buddies. Must be at least 16 years old and available for all sessions for assigned team(s), unless one absence is approved in advance.
- Buddy: Assists players on the field. Must be at least 12 years old and available for one or more sessions. Full-time buddies are preferred, but part-time buddies and substitutes are also needed. Younger buddies may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the director.
- Check-In Staff: Helps with player and volunteer check-in. Must be at least 16 years old and available for one or more sessions.
- Special Event Support Staff: Helps with special events as opportunities arise. Requirements and time commitment depend on the role and volunteer’s availability.
- Other Volunteer Roles (Director, Assistant Director, Board Member, Committee Member): Requirements and time commitment vary by position and must be approved by the LYSA Board before registration.
Steps to Becoming a Volunteer
Step One: Register
All volunteers must complete the online LYSA TOPSoccer volunteer registration form for the current season. Volunteer placement decisions are typically made about one to two weeks after registration closes, with the volunteer schedule finalized the week of the first session. Volunteers are responsible for completing all risk management and training requirements by deadlines.
Note: If you were previously registered under a parent’s GotSport account or under your own account using a parent’s email address, please contact us before creating a new account.
Step Two: Complete Risk Management Requirements
TOPSoccer volunteers aged 18 and older are required to complete a background check every two years, a SafeSport course every year, and Heads Up training every five years.
All required items are managed through your GotSport Dashboard. Any item listed as “Required” or “Expired” must be completed within one week of registration or by the deadline provided by the TOPSoccer Director if a registration deadline extension is approved.
Family members who volunteer exclusively in a 1:1 role with their own family member may be exempt from the SafeSport and Heads Up training requirements. Please contact the TOPSoccer Director before completing these trainings to determine whether an exemption applies.
Expiration dates are based on the universal deadline of July 14. Any items completed on or before this date that are due during the current seasonal year are considered expired.
Instructions to Check & Complete Risk Management Items:
- Log in to your GotSport account.
- Click the “Dashboard” tab in the top menu.
- Select items listed as “required” or “expired” for 2026/2027 seasonal year (click on “details”).
- Follow the instructions and links provided (some items include a form).
- If a SafeSport course completed during the 2025/2026 or current seasonal year does not appear, click “Check Records” at the bottom of the item’s details page.
- If you completed the CDC Heads Up Training for Youth Soccer within the past four years, upload your certificate to GotSport.
Step Three: Complete the Online USYS TOPSoccer Course
New TOPSoccer coaches and buddies are required to complete a brief online TOPSoccer course that takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Once volunteer availability is confirmed and risk management requirements are complete (if applicable), the director will email course instructions and a fee waiver code. This requirement may be waived for young buddies.
Step Four: Complete Additional Training
All volunteers will receive a set of TOPSoccer orientation slides and a volunteer handout to review before the season begins.
Coach candidates will also participate in field training at LSC Indoor 2 (date and time to be determined).
Contact Information
Please contact Lynda Ison at topsoccerdirector@lysa.org with any questions about the program, registration or scholarship application.
If you are a player or under 18, include a parent or guardian on your email.