We have a tremendous capacity for good and can do a great deal of it if we make the simple decision to do so. I knew that I had good inside of me to share and it took me some time to figure out what "the good" was that I had to offer and just how I could share it. I think this is a question many of us ask ourselves. Once I found my answer, I discovered that it was incredibly simple and right in front of my nose all along.
I love the sport of soccer. To me it's the beauty of the game combined with the many other things the sport has to offer that makes it so incredible. On top of obviously being a very awesome game, it also creates friendship and camaraderie. It teaches many valuable life lessons like conflict resolution, controlling your emotion, communication with your teammates/coach/referees, picking yourself up when you are down, fighting through the pain, succeeding as a result of hard work and preparation or failing due to a lack thereof. There is so much opportunity within the sport for individual and community growth and development.
Soccer was always something I did for myself and my teammates. I played on the US team, professionally, and have more tales to tell than I could ever hope for. I always maintained that playing at a high level was the most FUN and I worked hard to play there for no other reason than I loved the sport. This notion was so deeply embedded within me that it took a long time to realize what my experiences with the sport would allow me to do down the road... and that this, in fact, would become what I have to share with others.
I started by running private lessons and then soccer camps, which then developed into a business. After I gained experience working with kids and seeing how much of a positive effect 1) providing a good soccer program and 2) having good, caring coaches can have, I realized that there was more I could to do with this.
When I contacted the church in Nicaragua, I had no idea if they would be up for a soccer camp or not... and all on my word that I knew what I was doing. I'm so thankful that they gave me a chance. In 2007, my teammate Anabel Jimenez (now head women's soccer coach at American University) traveled down with me and we introduced the idea of a soccer program in Nicaragua. Now in 2014, we have an annual camp. We have also brought 2 Nicaraguans to Maryland to receive coach training and now we have a soccer league and after-school program in Nicaragua.
My friend, Kathy Liotta, teacher at Calvert school, approached me about a school in Belize that would be a great place for a soccer camp. Her class had been pen pals with a class at the school. I knew at that time that we weren't solid enough in Nicaragua yet to take on another location. The following year when I felt we were ready, I contacted Kathy who put me in touch with Holy Cross School. The first year was similar to Nicaragua where we had to demonstrate what we were capable of doing. Now, three years later we have a successful annual camp and are in the beginning stages of creating a soccer league.
What I find so amazing about "the good" in life is that once you find your way to share it, doors will open up with more opportunities for good. It will only continue to grow and spread and lead you to places you cannot imagine. What was originally an idea for a soccer camp has developed into many life-long friendships with people in Nicaragua and Belize. I set out to do some good with what I had to offer but the amount of good that has come into my life as a result of this is exponentially greater.These trips are only made possible by the many volunteers that have joined over the years. Thank you to all of have contributed to the More Than Futbol camps through donating, packing, and traveling down to help coach the kids.
If you are interested in joining us on a trip or helping with preparation/fundraising efforts, please contact me at CoachAli.ChampionsSoccer@gmail.com. Everyone involved makes a huge difference in making these camps possible. Not a soccer person? There is opportunity to mentor, tutor, provide medical aid, do construction work, etc. Your talents can be utilized!
What do you have to share?
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