Futbol Fiesta

Today we wrapped up our second successful season of boys 15 and under soccer with what we like to call a "fiesta". Lots of authentic Mexican food, pizza, boys and several siblings and parents joined us at Rock Island to celebrate the end to a 6-2 season full of fun, team prayers, occasional practices and early Saturday mornings.

The team was entirely sponsored by an individual who offered financial support which allowed the boys to have their own jerseys (home and away), shin gaurds, soccer balls, practice cones, etc. The soccer team gives many of the boys a chance to play in an organized setting, receive coaching instruction, as well as behavioral instruction, and be with neighborhood friends, while also meeting new friends throughout the course of the season.

One of my favorite aspects of the soccer team is that it requires many of the boys to do something they otherwise would not be expected to do: be physically active on a regular basis and to be on some type of schedule. For the most part, the boys in this neighborhood are not necessarily expected to be timely to anything in particular(with the exception school and a few boys having to work). Because of this, most of the boys haven't come to appreciate the respect aspect that goes along with being on time or being where you say you will be, when you say you will be there. Being apart of the soccer team, along with field trips and the relatively new workout times, requires the boys to be on time, or be left behind.

With this being said, enjoy the pictures...

-Luke