Participating in athletics is a pastime that can bring people together through hard work and competition. However, not all sports provide equal opportunities to all athletes, which can sometimes create a disconnect between players of different ability levels. Noblesville’s Indy Premier Soccer Club has found a way to bridge the gap, with sports giving kids of all ages a way to cut loose and be active with friends. This is where TOPSoccer, a program created by Indy Premier, steps onto the pitch, creating an inclusive environment where students with special needs and their peers can play together, while learning important life skills in the process. 

With 2026 marking TOPSoccer’s tenth year, the organizers of the program say they are accomplishing their goals and mission. Each practice begins with free time, where players practice one-on-one with their volunteer buddies, before shifting into specific activities for participants to play soccer together. Junior Nick Scholl enjoys how soccer can provide a variety of activities that any player can get a kick out of.

“My favorite part would have to be the various games that Coach Sean has for us like ‘Head Shoulders Knees Ball’, ‘Hungry Hungry Hippos’, and ‘Ouch’,” Scholl said.

Addison says TOPSoccer is only able to operate at optimal levels thanks to the help provided by student volunteers, who work one-on-one with players to support their development of both soccer and life skills. Senior Alex Eberhart is a recent addition to the team of volunteers, and he’s had the chance to witness the impacts of the program firsthand.

“We have kids that have never met each other that are learning to share and play together. It’s just a really cool program to be around,” Eberhart said.

Overseeing each practice is coach Sean Addison, who has combined his love of soccer with easily applicable skills like sharing and forgiveness that can be taught to anyone. Addison says that he has learned just as much from the program as the players, with his involvement making a noticeable difference in the community.

“I had no experience in this before I started it. And I have professionals in the medical field recommending our program to people,” Addison said.

With the students’ naturally competitive natures carrying over onto the soccer field, Addison stresses the importance of fun above all else. Activities at TOPSoccer promote collaboration and encouragement above individual accomplishment.

“It’s a transformative experience for them to go from environments where they’re really highly competitive, really focused on themselves, to being a little less competitive, focused on somebody else, focused on the needs of another person,” Addison said.

Addison stresses that the soccer aspect of TOPSoccer is not the only important aspect of the program. He feels that the sport is merely the catalyst that gives everyone a place to be active and have a good time. Different aspects of the program might resonate with students in unexpected ways, but the leaders of the organization say the program works in service of one goal: making sports, and the lessons they provide, accessible to everybody.

“[My favorite part is] probably just the music and seeing a lot of good people that I know,” Scholl said. “I think it’s a good program for others that have special needs like myself.”