Photo By Cpl. Claudio Martinez | First place trophies are passed out to the Honeybadgers during this year’s soccer...... read more read more
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IWAKUNI, Japan - Station residents gathered at Penny Lake field here to close out this year’s soccer and cheerleading season during a ceremony hosted by the station’s Youth Sports program Oct. 29.
Approximately 420 youth ages 3 to 17 and their parents came out in support of the ceremony.
“This year went very well,” said John Baltazar, station Youth Sports coordinator. “Everyone took the play with sportsmanship to heart. It was a very successful season.”
Approximately 365 children signed up to play soccer this year while 55 children signed up for cheerleading in this year’s soccer and cheerleading season. Participation trophies were handed out during the ceremony to all players and cheerleaders. Placement trophies were given to competitive leagues 10 to 12-year-old and 13 to 15-year-old categories.
The Honeybadgers placed 1st in the 10 to 12-year-old category. The InerMilans placed 1st place in the 13 to 15-year-old category.
During the ceremony, attendees were entertained with a musical performance by a Hiroshima children’s xylophone band and Iwakuni cheerleaders’ performance routines. The ceremony was closed out with a community barbecue to feed the players and cheerleaders.
“Things like this build up (the children’s) character,” said Baltazar. “We’ve got coaches that are from the Marines, most of our volunteers are all Marines, so they are going to instill in these kids some of that responsibility. Sports themselves, especially team sports, teach kids they have to rely on somebody else.”
Baltazar said it is important children are taught teamwork at an early age because as they grow older they will be forced to work as a team in the career field or in society.
Several of the parents appreciated the opportunities sporting events, like soccer, offered to children.
J.T. Barrientos, a station resident, had his 10-year-old son, Sebastian, participate in this year’s soccer season.
“(These sports) build camaraderie, build teamwork and it gets them interacting with other kids,” said Barrientos “It’s an awesome experience seeing my kids out there. As a parent, you are proud that your kids are playing and it’s even better when they are actually doing well.”
Sebastian said he enjoyed his time playing soccer and hopes the program will continue in the future.
Savannah Davis, 11, participated in this year’s season as an Elite cheerleader.
“Teamwork and helping other people are the most important things I’ve learned,” said Savannah “If you want to play soccer and you want to make a goal, teamwork will help. (In cheerleading) you need teamwork when you want to build. You need teamwork when someone holds up their legs for them (so they can) hold up their arms.”
Savannah said it takes everyone working together.
Now that soccer season is over, flag football is scheduled to run Nov. 19 – Dec. 17. Registration is underway for ages 7 - 15 until Nov. 11 with a $40 fee. After Nov. 11, sign-ups will be accepted for a $45 fee.
Call Youth Sports at 253-5777 for more information.
| Date Taken: | 10.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2011 20:53 |
| Story ID: | 79464 |
| Location: | IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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