TOPSoccer Program Director Jessica Bruce (right) poses for a photo with team members and volunteers. PHOTO/MICHELLE MIDKIFF

Jessica Bruce, Program Director for Hopkinton Youth Soccer’s TOPSoccer program, recently was recognized as 2024 Coach of the Year by Massachusetts Youth Soccer. She was named as a finalist for 2024 US Youth Soccer Coach of the Year as well.

Although she did not win the national award, Bruce said it was an honor to be nominated.

“It’s very incredible and humbling,” she said.

Bruce has been with Hopkinton’s TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) program since it started in the fall of 2017. The recreational sports program is designed around children and young adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities. It provides a structured environment for “safe, fun, supportive and inclusive” soccer.

In the program, participants run weekly soccer practices that involve warmups, drills and other soccer activities. Each participant is paired with a “buddy” for each practice — typically a volunteer from the middle school or high school.

“It’s really wonderful for buddy volunteers,” said Bruce.”They develop a really nice relationship with their players.”

Bruce helped set up TOPSoccer in town after receiving informational material from the state’s youth soccer organization. As an occupational therapist with the Hopkinton Public School system, she understood families were looking for activities their children with special needs could participate in.

“I knew families in town that were looking for a program for their kids to be involved in that they could be successful with,” Bruce explained.

With her work as an occupational therapist combined with prior coaching experience and a high school soccer career, Bruce felt she could make TOPSoccer successful in Hopkinton.

“The combination of those skill sets … I felt comfortable and was able to bring this program to the town,” said Bruce.

Now about to enter its eighth year, TOPSoccer remains robust. The program is capped at 20 participants, and, according to Bruce, typically there is a wait list. It’s also a regional offering, so players from other towns can participate.

The program’s popularity and Bruce’s hard work have not gone unnoticed locally. Michelle Midkiff, president of Hopkinton Youth Soccer (HYS), praised Bruce’s work and impact.

“We’re excited she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves,” said Midkiff. “She’s been under the radar … and gone unrewarded, unacknowledged for a long time.”

Midkiff also noted the effect the program has had on the community.

“There’s a great big downstream kind of effect, where it helps not only the kids playing the sport but really involves the whole community,” she said.

“I appreciate the town and youth soccer program’s support,” said Bruce. “The HYS board has always been really supportive, making sure our program gets what all the other programs get.”

In regard to what’s next for TOPSoccer, Bruce said she hopes to continue “offering this to as many kids that are able to participate.” She also hopes to keep getting consistent volunteers.