Indiana Kids playing at U17 World Cup in Nigeria
Indiana has 2 kids over in Nigeria participating in the U17 World Cup right now. Both kids grew up here in Central Indiana. 
Eriq Zavaleta is well known in circles as his Dad, Carlos is a well known coach in the area for FC Pride. He also runs a soccer academy in Westfield providing individual instruction to kids. Eriq is a technically gifted player who plays defence for the US National Team.
Perry Kitchen is another Central Indiana product on the roster. He also started at FC Pride, but is now a product of the Chicago Magic.
Both players are currently in residency at Bradenton learning how to become professional soccer players. If they succeed, maybe they will DaMarcus Beasely as famous Hoosier soccer players.
Games are being televised on ESPNU and ESPN360. Check both of them out:
Date Matchup Time Venue TV Info Center
Oct. 26, 2009 U.S. Under-17 Men vs. Spain Under-17 Men 2 p.m. ET
Kano, Nigeria ESPNU, ESPN360.com and Galavision
Oct. 29, 2009 U.S. Under-17 Men vs. Malawi Under-17 Men 11 a.m. ET
Kano, Nigeria ESPNU and ESPN360.com
Nov. 1, 2009 U.S. Under-17 Men vs. UAE Under-17 Men 10 a.m. ET
Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria ESPNU, ESPN360.com and 10 a.m. ET/PT on Galavision
Come on boys, make us proud!
IPS Elementary Program
I spent Saturday at Crispus Attucks High School playing pseudo referee for their Saturday elementary soccer games. That was a lot of fun. We need more soccer in the elementary schools. They had kids in all shapes and sizes. It looked like they were having fun. I had fun watching them and encouraging them.
There were several really good players. One in particular stood out. The young man just had the natural talent. He was a pleasure to watch and you could see he just loved the game.
I talked to the coach from the school. He told me the kids play after school all the time together. When school starts up, they always ask when are they going to play.
Amen Kids! That’s what it is all about.
I know for alot of the travel team kids, parents sometimes struggle to get them to practice. It’s nice to see kids genuinely want to be there with their buddies having fun.
MORE KIDS PLAYING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!!
Forgetting what sport is about….
I am getting involved in a program to help put “freeplay” soccer into the elementary schools in our township. With the focus always being on wins and loses, we forget that soccer is a beautiful game for a reason. Anyone can play it, anywhere, no matter their size. Here is an interesting video that highlights this.
The Soccer Project from Rebekah Fergusson on Vimeo.
