Old Faces in New Roles

Last month, SCORES programming officially started at all four schools, and with that came Game Day. Every Friday, SCORES students from the three elementary schools meet at the park to play organized soccer games against each other. It has been exciting for us to see the kids putting the skills they learn each day to the test.

Game Day has become a community event, from parents and family members coming to watch games to SCORES alumni coming to visit their old coaches and cheer on new players. One of the highlights of Game Day has been seeing Middle School and High School alumni in attendance taking on the meaningful role of assistant coaches and referees -- illustrating that their involvement in SCORES Game Day doesn't have to end when they finish elementary school.

Alumni Camping Trip

Last week, America SCORES LA staff took 30 SCORES high school alumni on their 5th annual camping trip to Lake Casitas for two nights. We arrived in the late afternoon to set up camp and then everyone met at the girls' campsite for dinner, a campfire and scary stories.

The next morning everyone woke up and met in a nice grassy area near the lake to hang out and play soccer, toss around a football, and play catch. Then after lunch, we drove to the dock and spent the afternoon on the lake switching off between kayaks and a pontoon boat.












On the way home, we stopped at a beach in Ventura where a large group of the kids and staff played a game of football, and then soccer. Everyone had fun time, and this trip was a great way to end the summer before school starts next week.

Fernandomania!

Last Friday, America SCORES LA high school alumni got the chance to go to a Dodgers game to watch the boys in blue take on the Washington Nationals. Before the game, the kids got to go onto the field to watch batting practice and meet baseball legend Fernando Valenzuela as part of the Amigos de Fernando program.

Meeting at the field at 5:00, the kids all got Fernando Valenzuela t-shirts and then filed onto the field to watch players from both the Dodgers and Nationals warm up at batting practice. During that time, Fernando Valenzuela came over and talked to the kids. They asked tons of questions ranging from "Who was the toughest competition you faced?" (Tony Gwynn and Keith Hernandez) to "What's your favorite Mexican League soccer team?" (Cruz Azul). He talked about being a professional athlete, advising them to "take it one game at a time, and don't be too hard on yourself if you mess up." After the Q&A, Valenzuela signed autographs for everyone and then the kids left to find their seats to watch the game.

The Nationals got an early lead of 6-0 in the 2nd inning. Although the Dodgers were able to make up some runs in the 4th inning with a two-run homer by Andre Ethier and an RBI to left from Casey Blake, they were ultimately defeated 6-3.

Fernando Valenzuela pitched for the Dodgers from 1980-1990. Born in Navojoa, Mexico, Valenzuela became an icon for the Los Angeles Latino community and drew large crowds to the field whenever he pitched. In 1981, Valenzuela became the only player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger, and the Cy Young award in the same year. He is also known for his unique windup: throwing his head back and looking straight up before pitching. At the end of his 17 year Major League career, he had an ERA of 3.54 and 2,074 strikeouts.
(Source: Wikipedia)

America SCORES LA would like to thank Fernando Valenzuela, Ron Sittler, and Noel Pallais for such a great opportunity!

Alumni Coach Middle School Camp

Down the street from the Elementary Summer Camp, middle school and high school students are participating in a different camp. Every Wednesday during the month of July, a group of ten LA SCORES alumni meet at the middle school field to coach the middle school players.

Earlier in the summer, the alumni attended a special training put on by Team Up For Youth -- an organization that recruits and trains volunteer coaches in California -- to learn basic drills, fun games, and techniques for coaching younger kids. This month they've been able to take what they learn and put it into action at Palms Middle School. At practice, groups of two or three alumni each organize a drill at a station -- shooting, passing, dribbling, defense, etc. -- then they divide the middle schoolers up into small groups and have them rotate through the stations. After each group completes all of the drills, they scrimmage together.

As coaches, the alumni are showing the middle schoolers that LA SCORES doesn't end when you graduate 5th or 8th grade. Those who are interested can still be a part of the program through volunteer coaching or even just coming out to play soccer with old friends. It is our hope that this will start a new tradition where the current middle schoolers come back with their friends as high schoolers every summer to help teach new 6th graders soccer skills and the value of community.

US National Team Member Practices With Alumni

Last week, US National Team member Stuart Holden attended a special practice for LA SCORES high school alumni. Rather than running drills, Holden wanted to just get out there and play. The practice turned into a giant 14v14 scrimmage, mostly boys vs. girls with Holden playing for the girls' team. Holden scored two goals for his team, but they were defeated by the boys. The kids really appreciated having the opportunity to play alongside one of the players talented enough to be chosen to represent the U.S. as part of the national team; and the boys especially enjoyed testing their skills against him.


After the scrimmage, the kids and Stuart Holden had two juggling contests. Holden gave each winner one of his shoes as a souvenir.



Stuart Holden, 24, was born in Scotland and moved to the US when he was 10. He began playing for the Houston Dynamo in 2006, and helped lead his team to two titles (2006 and 2007). His success in the MLS drew international attention, and in January 2010 he moved to England to join the Premier League side Bolton Wanderers. Holden was on the 2008 US Olympic team, where he scored in the US's opening match. Also, this summer he played in the first stage match against England at the World Cup.



LA SCORES would like to thank Stuart Holden for coming out and playing!