This is part of a weekly series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community.
Spring soccer is in full swing at Salem Indoor, an indoor soccer center tucked off Portland Road.
The building, under the ownership of Salem’s Capital Futbol Club, is not only home to indoor league games but every spring and fall it welcomes an adaptive soccer program for athletes who’ve traditionally faced barriers in accessing the sport.
The Capital FC TOPSoccer program is the passion project of JoAnna Fields, who grew up “down the road” and graduated from McKay High School and then Corban University. While at Corban, Fields was hired as a social media intern for CFC in the summer of 2017.
After graduating with a degree in exercise science and psychology, she again helped the organization before being hired full-time.
Fields grew up playing basketball, volleyball and softball and never pictured herself becoming director of a soccer program.
“My memories are playing with my cousins outside my grandma’s house and them shooting the ball at me,” she said.
But Fields recognized a need to help grow the game for those with different needs.
She used to volunteer every summer for Camp Attitude, an accessible summer camp in Foster. When she first became an intern at CFC, she also provided care for a child with disabilities. Fields said because she was working simultaneously in the soccer world, she realized there was an opportunity.
She pitched the idea during a staff meeting and it was suggested she investigate bringing TOPSoccer to Salem. The national program has other active programs around the state including Portland and Eugene. Fields shadowed the program in Portland, became certified and began planning what the program would look like in Salem.
CFC TOPSoccer became official in the Spring of 2022. That year, the CFC received a $20,000 grant from the Oregon Community Foundation.
“Immediately, we had 40 kids sign up,” Fields said. It was an unexpected demand and meant the program was split into two sessions. One for athletes 5 to 9 years old and the other for athletes above the age of 10. Fields also has had to cap sessions.
This year’s spring session has 51 athletes enrolled and a waitlist. Some of the participants are brand new to the program. Others have been participating since 2022.
The athletes all have intellectual and developmental disabilities, regardless of classification. It’s a barrier some families can face in other programs for children with disabilities, due to strict qualifications and applications, Fields said.
“TOPSoccer is an open slate,” Fields said. “I think we have a really big need for that in our community.”
CFC TOPSoccer also offered pop-up winter classes this year for athletes with disabilities.
Fields said her favorite part of the program is seeing the kids.
Each athlete is paired with a “buddy,” a community volunteer — often between the ages of 13 to 17 — to train with one-on-one and provide support. The buddy can’t be a parent, though parents are required to remain onsite. It’s helped foster a community connection that Fields is proud of, she said.
Fields said she loves seeing the athletes connect with peers and parents connect with other parents.
Every Saturday, each of the two sessions begins with drills and one-on-one mentorship with buddies. The end of training includes splitting the group up into small soccer matches.
This year the program also partnered with DSP Connections, an organization that provides support for adults and children with disabilities. The organization granted scholarships to some families to enroll their children into the program.
Fields also wants to start a basketball program, though it wouldn’t be under the CFC umbrella. She said it’s part of her vision for growing accessibility for sports.
“Families are constantly asking for more,” Fields said. “Not only do we want to expand the soccer opportunities, but I also want to add in a couple more sports in there because I think that you can replicate this model across the board for athletes.”
She is grateful for the support CFC has provided, she said. There are at least 50 volunteers for TOPSoccer, and the program wouldn't be possible without the indoor space.
There’s a form to sign up online at cfcsalem.com/topsoccer. The Spring TOPSoccer program is underway but the waiting list sign-up also is online. The program is $80 for 8 weeks, although scholarships are available.
If you have an idea for someone we should profile for this series, please email Statesman Journal executive editor Cherrill Crosby at crosbyc@statesmanjournal.com
Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo
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