Sport in Society Participates in Mini-World Cup Youth Soccer Tournament
(6-28-10) Boston, Mass. – Sport in Society staff participated in the Mini-World Cup Youth Soccer Tournament hosted by World Cup Boston and held on June 26 on Moakley Field in South Boston. By simultaneously celebrating Olympic Day Sport in Society staff brought their own Olympic flair to the event which invited teams from neighborhoods and towns throughout the Greater Boston area to come together for a summer soccer tournament. The staff and participants were joined by former Olympic Figure Skater Tina Noyes.
In celebration of the FIFA World Cup, World Cup Boston 2010 brought the excitement of the world’s largest single sporting event to Boston for a Mini World Cup Youth Soccer Tournament. The two-day event brought youth teams in the U10 to High School age brackets from throughout Massachusetts for a spirited soccer competition that promoted collaboration, community and sportsmanship in the spirit of the global game.
Said Caitlin Geddes, Sport in Society program specialist, "Helping out at the tournament was so invigorating; I loved seeing all the groups come together to play ball on a gorgeous summer day, and the kids were clearly having a blast. The Olympic Day obstacle course we set up was really successful too. The kids had to complete physical challenges like shooting a lacrosse ball, tandem running (an activity to simulate a Paralympic event by having a pair of kids run blindfolded), dribbling and shooting a soccer ball, combined with answering questions about Olympic values like respect and sportsmanship. I’m always impressed by the depth of their answers. So many 7 year olds have a really good idea of why respect is important in school and athletics, even if they thought the Australian flag was the “Europe” flag in the final mental challenge."
More than 150 youth and their families from throughout Greater Boston and beyond were onsite for this exciting summer soccer event, which featured fun for players and spectators alike. In addition to rousing tournament play, attendees enjoyed interactive activities with the New England Revolution as well as cultural and learning opportunities, a presentation on Olympism from Sport in Society’s Eli Wolff in celebration of Olympic Day, and more.
About World Cup Boston
World Cup Boston (WCB) 2010 is an 18-month, multifaceted initiative surrounding the 2010 FIFA World Cup that will bring the international spirit of competition and collaboration to Boston with public programming in soccer, culture, community and education for Boston youth and families. As a public, private and nonprofit partnership enthusiastically supported by Mayor Thomas Menino, WCB 2010’s mission is to unite members of Boston’s various socioeconomic, community and cultural groups to foster a renewed sense of inclusion, interaction, and involvement. With dynamic partners ranging from the Boston Public Library, the Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Public Schools, the New England Revolution and the Boston Breakers, and coordinated by South Africa Partners, a local nonprofit specializing in South Africa – U.S. collaborations, World Cup Boston 2010 brings the excitement of World Cup soccer to Boston’s public space sand highlights Boston’s growing status as an international city.