Celebrant Pam Vetter


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LA Galaxy star Landon Donovan in West Hills
Contributed by: Pam Vetter

LA Galaxy players visit AYSO Region 71.

9/14/06 Valley News Article

There was an energetic buzz in the air as five LA Galaxy soccer players took to Bischoff field in West Hills Thursday evening to play with the American Youth Soccer Organization's Region 71. The Galaxy players coached the kids, signed autographs, and smiled for pictures with both adults and children.

The group was led by LA Galaxy player Landon Donovan, who is widely regarded as the best U.S. born soccer player in the world.

Donovan started playing AYSO soccer at the age of 5 in Redlands and later in Ontario. He played AYSO until he was 15. This is his sixth year as a professional soccer player and second year on the LA Galaxy team.

Donovan enjoys meeting youth soccer players. "It's fun to see the kids," he said. "I remember growing up playing AYSO. It's also outreach with the community. I believe if we can get the kids and their families to come to the Home Depot Center once, they'll come back. Soccer is entertainment. It's a fun place for families."

LA Galaxy Goalkeeper Steve Cronin also believes in supporting the community. "They support us and we come out and support them. It reminds us what the game is about in the first place. It's about having fun," Cronin added some advice for AYSO goalies. "For youth goalies, I want to tell them not to worry about giving up goals. Just have fun playing the game."

Ugo Ihemelu, who plays as a defender on the LA Galaxy team, believes it's important to reach beyond celebrity. "The kids see us on TV, they see us from a distance at the games, but it's important that we interact with them in person so they see what is possible," he said.

Forward Quavas Kirk views Galaxy clinics as an opportunity for young players. "We do this so the kids can play with professional soccer players. Youth soccer also offers opportunities. Soccer keeps them occupied and out of trouble," he said.

Kirk also focused on an important problem facing our youth. Kirk explained, "In the United States, one of our biggest problems for children is obesity. Playing soccer provides exercise and mental health."

LA Galaxy defender Nathan Sturgis also played soccer as a child. "I started in the youth leagues at age 5 or 6. This is really good to come out here and interact with the kids and watch them have fun playing," Sturgis said with a smile.

Gary Gomez, Account Executive with the LA Galaxy, enjoys visiting West Hills. "We do this all over Southern California. We expose kids to our players to build a community relationship, spark imaginations, and help them realize that any dream is possible," Gomez said. "We used to be at the Rose Bowl, but now we're at the beautiful soccer specific stadium, the Home Depot Center. It's only three years old and there is not a bad seat in the stadium. Right now, we're in a playoff run, but it's our pleasure to do this, thanks to the management and the players."

Region 71 Director of Boys Charlie Bogusz organized this LA Galaxy event. "It's nice to let the kids relate to the professional players. They're playing with the best. The kids learn new moves and see how it's done by the pros. Everybody wins," he said.

Each season Region 71 Commissioner Reza Shahmirzadi uses part of registration fees to purchase a Galaxy game ticket for every child who signs up to play. "This year we bought a thousand tickets. Hopefully, one day all 1,400 players will go to a Galaxy game together. We want to get them interested and help our youth experience a professional game," he said.

Region 71 will attend this Saturday's game when the LA Galaxy players face the Colorado Rapids.

It wasn't only the kids who were having fun at the event. The adults were also impressed with the LA Galaxy players.

Boys U14 Coach Lewis Cohen said there is so much to learn about the great sport of soccer. "These kids want to learn but there's only so much time to practice during the week. This extra hour with professional players helps everyone." Cohen added, "We are so lucky to have a professional sports team that cares about youth athletics. It's incredible that the Galaxy makes time to do this. This is something the kids will remember for the rest of their lives, when they met Landon Donovan and the other players. Even for myself, I remember meeting professional athletes as a kid and as an adult."

For more information on AYSO contact www.region71.org.

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