A soccer program for children with special needs in Maple Valley will be available starting in September.

The program is free of charge for the athletes. It will be operated though US Youth Soccer in conjunction with the Maple Soccer Association. It will run from Sept. 11 to Oct. 30.

The Maple Valley program is run by Tom Tate, 45, who has coached soccer in the area for 13 years.

“It’s a natural way for me to help out,” Tate said. “It combines my passion for soccer and helping out the kids.”

Tahoma soccer players and students, including those from Tate’s own team, will be involved in assisting these players to learn and play soccer. Games will be at 6 p.m. at Tahoma High Sundays.

Tate said he felt like the city is an ideal place for this type of program.

“There is a big network of special needs kids in Maple Valley,” he said.

Washington Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a program that enables boys and girls, men and women 4 years old and up, with physical and/or cognitive disabilities to play soccer.

The program, designed and administered by US YOUTH SOCCER, is supported by Washington Youth Soccer.

Parents of players can get involved in the Maple Valley TOPSoccer Program by contacting Tate at mvtopsoccer@comcast.net or 206-715-6633.

Buddies should go to www.WashingtonYouthSoccer.org, click on Programs, click on TOPSoccer and register for Maple Valley coordinator.

Those who wish to be buddies must be at least 12 years old.