In case some are unawares, there is a bit of "futbol fiebre" coursing through the village. Oh, the romance, the romance, the romance!
The under 18 youth team have begun their Title Defense. After a convincing, sweepaway season where - i believe - they went 13 - 0 - 1 (13 wins no ties one loss) they proceeded to waltz, strut, skip, swirl, ticky-tack and sachay their way through the post-season to a most jubilant of victories in the final a few months past.
Now, rain allowing, the game goes on. Next season. This. Our adventure continues.
****
Inter-city and Inter-league rivalries aside, the true fever of the game finds traction in our very own 8 by 8 League which plays out here, in town. Internacine, intergenerational, it is a league composed of 6 teams of 14 registered players each. This 8 on 8 game is played sideways, across the width, with 25 minute halves and smaller nets.
Here one finds the village spirit in full expression. Food and drink, fun and frolic; dogs, dogs, dogs. Its a blast.
More than joy, investiture, loss and madness, it is education. Sport: the great Educator. This I truly believe and stand by, stand in and do by. I play in this Village 8s league and I love it. I am not sure who I would be without the allure and attraction and challenge of sport. I know that as a 44 year adult it is a most (re)invigorating reality. When in play: there is no yesterday, there is no tomorrow. Like music, theatre, the performance arts, when engaged, one is fully engaged, hence present and , well, I say: free.
The way of sport (soccer), physical, interactive and interjective, (sometimes) competitive, demanding and taxing too, on mind, body, emotion and spirit, creates balance of character, focus of mind, and belief in self. It literally is: Poetry in Motion; a kind of ... Cosmic Ballet, dare I say.
The efforts to generate funding for uniform, equipment, shoe, ball and travel costs (?), is an effort to give children and youth a healthier more hopeful way, a way forward, into active, living breathing balance. A way into confrontation that is (ostensibly) non-violent and yet always resolves itself. Hence: the victor, the vanquished.
Future hopes involve:
Children's Teams Youth Girls Team
If you put the word ' soccer' in the search bar here, a few threads will appear (once you set it to show "by date")
Tres Hermanas Tacos is Soccer Central. Please feel free to approach and ask any who are working there about how to get involved and/or donate.
Clayton Michael
Re: Soccer
Posted by Spencer on October 19, 2023, 4:47 pm, in reply to "Soccer "
Thanks Clayton for bringing this to the top of the message board again! I already have another person offering to send a donation today because of the renewed interest.
My last tally is 6,800p of the 22,500p needed to outfit 5 teams with new uniforms. This doesn’t include today’s donation or any additional amount that may be waiting for us at Otra Vez after Stephanie’s generous donation. We obviously have a ways to go and, as you mentioned, there are always additional funds needed for equipment and travel.
I agree, this is more than just a game, it is physical and mental exercise, pride, purpose and art, all rolled into one.
BTW, We are also bringing down a bag of kids’ cleats, some that we collected this summer plus quite a few cleats and jerseys collected by Howie & Jenny.
Re: Soccer
Posted by Clayton R on October 20, 2023, 12:05 am, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
Hi Spencer
Now you got me thinkin of who i could reach out tonout north re cleats equipment etc.; old friends social connects and so involved with sport, youthand schools.
Remembering i am " Penpals " and the like. Organized correspondence between students from farnaway parts international and global.
Too: sister cities. Is that the right expression? Was it? Lol. Maybe like a school/village/team/project that could be enticed/invited to form and kind of permanent "Sport and Spirit Bond". Something going both ways of course in some capacity. Hell, even an actual youth team or teams (canadian?) that make an annual visit for a " friendly" 10 day SokFuFest (i would.call it?? SokFu haha)
Anyhow.
Dreams likes pebble tides Shores of sand filtrate reality The whispering rush receding Hope like a
Re: Soccer
Posted by Karen Meyer on October 22, 2023, 10:53 am, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
I just made a donation to the soccer uniforms and did it via PayPal with Spencer since I am still in Oregon. Super easy. Thanks, Spencer.
I've watched the soccer/futbol games in La Manzanilla, and heard the cheering crowds from the field in our neighborhood and am so grateful for all it brings to everyone who participates!
Let's help the kids get their uniforms
Karen
Re: Soccer
Posted by Spencer on October 22, 2023, 2:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
Thanks Karen! We’re now at 42% of our goal!!
Re: Soccer
Posted by Pablo on October 24, 2023, 11:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
Thanks for keeping this topic going, Spencer. And also for reporting on the progress to date. Hoping more will decide to chip in to help the kids.
Re: Soccer
Posted by Spencer on October 26, 2023, 11:09 am, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
We are getting there! Last count is 10,520p raised.
For full transparency, here’s a picture of the invoice for all the uniforms.
Thanks to all the donors so far!
Re: Soccer
Posted by david dagoli on October 26, 2023, 11:37 am, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
We gave 1,000 pesos to Agape yesterday, so you can add that to your total
Re: Soccer
Posted by Martin on November 2, 2023, 5:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
Speaking of Goooooooooooooooaaal!!!! When are the games? SOme might like to watch.
Re: Soccer
Posted by Spencer on November 2, 2023, 5:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
Great question! Currently the best place to see if there’s an upcoming game is on the La Manzanilla Life Facebook page. Look for posts by Agape (Agapito López Ocegeda), he usually posts a day or two before games. I’ll ask Agape if he has a schedule for the next couple months that we can post here. You can also ask at Tres Hermanas Tacos and enjoy a delicious meal while you’re there.
Re: Soccer
Posted by Martin on November 2, 2023, 5:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Soccer "
Thank you Spencer.
Clean Up
Posted by Clayt on November 4, 2023, 1:14 pm, in reply to "Soccer "
I know this is a collective effort and - to be honsest -a potentially depressive effort. What's the definition of insanity again? Nevermind...
Garbage. Plastic. Its a disgrace. I say this in empathetic and sympathetic context. Pain, shame, I am embarassed to say 'i am human'. This is my relation to plastics that preserve in the shelf life sterile passage of money shop time Storage, transport, the world. I digress, i do not rage and won't rant.
===
When i walk around the soccer pitch I cringe. I really do. And i know: all i can do is get a rake and get on it.
This could would lead into habitual care and attendance. Plant-land relationships. An old(er) man once described how the field and campo area used to be.
There is serious landscape potential. I am seeing:
more rec areas ( the kids put up their own volleyball area
Horsheshoes???
Four square
A.half court for bball
A.tennis wall!!!
Labrynthe walk
Community garden plots
But first: a rake and some gumption.
Also connects to big Art Expo (sic) a la Kevin et al.
