VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: DCFC-West’s Coleman a life-impacter

Who knows if Plymouth middle-schooler Max Robertson and his pals with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities would be learning the valuable skills — both physical and cognitive — that come with playing organized soccer if not for the TOPSoccer program, a national program for children and adults with special needs.

Thanks to volunteers like Katie Coleman, it’s a moot debate.

A lifelong resident of the Plymouth-Canton community where she excelled at soccer (with the Canton Soccer Club as a youth before moving up to play for Salem High School), Coleman is a data engineer at the Ford Motor Co. by day and a life-changer for special-needs athletes like Robertson at night.

Coleman is the TOPSoccer Director for the Canton-based Detroit City Football Club West — a position she accepted when DCFC-West Director of Operations ran the idea past her in early 2023.

“I thought it was a great way to give back to the community,” Coleman said. “I grew up playing soccer here, I still live here, my family is still here, so it’s an awesome way to stay involved in soccer while I’m not playing at a high level anymore and try to make that difference that a lot of coaches made for me when I was a kid.”

To check out video highlights from Saturday’s TOPSoccer game that took place at the 41st Canton Cup, click here.

Impressive resume

Coleman played NCAA Division 1 soccer for Central Michigan University after she graduated from Salem, so she has a wealth of knowledge regarding the enhancement of skills.

But she also possesses the patience and communication skills required to teach the game to TOPSoccer players.

“Although the program is available for kids and adults with disabilities, our players are mostly kids,” Coleman said.

“This gives them a chance to be part of a team; otherwise, I’m not sure they’d have this opportunity. They learn physical skills like coordination and motor skills. They’re also learning things like how to pass and share with their teammates, and how to take direction from a coach. They get a lot of exercise, too, which is so important.”

Having fun is No. 1 priority

The local TOPSoccer team is made up of players who live with a range of disabilities — including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.”

“It’s nice being a part of a program where winning isn’t valued over skills improvement, exercise and just having fun,” Coleman said.

Coleman’s team faced off against a team consisting of Washtenaw County-area players Saturday afternoon at the 41st Canton Cup at Independence Park.

There were more smiles than goals throughout the close-to-hour-long contest — a sign that the time volunteers like Coleman are putting into the program is more than worthwhile.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.