Link to Photos from the tournament
Youtube Video
Congratulations to the following players who represented NSA at the Juventus Presidents Day tournament in the U10G division and won the Championship — won all 4 games (all shut outs).
Arianna Bik
Grace Callahan
Alex Cantelme
Emma Hoffman
Jaanavi Mehta
Samantha Montes
Izzy Rodriguez
Sunaiya Sandhu
Jackie Stanco-Grasela
Megan Tomasetti
Ally Tomasetti
Coach Fred Hsu
NSA U10 Girls Earn Top Prize at President’s Day Cup
And Take Home a Lot More
It began with an 8:30pm meeting in a warm, crowded hotel room and ended with 11 little hands grasping the champions’ trophy together. But it’s what happened along the way that our U10 NSA girls remember most.
At the Juventus President’s Day Tournament Feb 16-17, the girls played tag with friends, instead of running laps. They were asked to make 10, then 15 passes, before shooting (even in a semi-final game). They were challenged to figure things out for themselves, instead of depending on siren sounds from sideline coaches.
Most of all, they were treated to a simple game and fun. We all were.
When asked what her favorite part of the weekend was, Ally Tomasetti said, “Friends and wall passes.” Ally’s sister, Megan, said she liked how nice everyone was to each other. Then she added, “And we played good together.” Sunaiya Sandhu also loved the passing and shared why, “because then they (the other team) can’t get the ball, and we score more.” Grace Callaghan answered in one unequivocal burst, “Rolling!” You see, after each goal scored, our NSA kids shouted, “1-2-3 Roooooll,” and then 11 blue-and-white bodies flipped a somersault from wherever they were (on or off the field).
But there was something more on display at the Juventus Tournament weekend. It’s what we all hope our children experience in sport – growing as individuals and being part of something bigger than themselves, without giving up being a kid. “I worked my hardest, and the whole team worked their hardest. And it helped us win the trophy,” Arianna Bik said through a toothy grin. “And I made a LOT of passes.”
“I had a fun time hitting the poles on Saturday,” Sam Montes giggled. “On Sunday, I got it between the posts. Twice!!”
Emma Hofman had a different perspective on things. “The hardest part of being a goalie on an NSA team is I don’t get the ball much. The best part is being with friends.”
Isabella Rodriguez said she loved “hanging out with friends.” When pressed for more, she admitted the trophy was pretty awesome, but added, “The trophy means we worked hard as a team, and we earned it.”
Some people (mostly adults) might call the NSA approach unconventional or unorganized or even chaotic. But kids feel right at home.
NSA is much like the pick-up games kids play on rutty fields after school, when coaches and parents aren’t looking. They choose captains, then choose teams, then choose where they want to play that day. They try out new tricks, tussle in the dirt and find a way to work together. Win or lose they have fun.
“With NSA, it doesn’t matter where you are or what you are, you just play the game,” Jahnavi Mehta said. And that’s the truth.
Last weekend I got to see parents and kids, and a very special coach, all revealing the best of themselves. Jackie Stanco put it perfectly. “Coach Fred gives you time to figure things out. He doesn’t stress you out. He lets you think, instead of doing the job for you.” And my daughter, Alex Cantelme, added, “The best part of the weekend was getting to be able to play with friends and getting to play soccer. Just play,” she sighed.
Words of Wisdom from Coach Fred
1. Keep the game simple
2. Get to the ball in two seconds
3. Bring lots of extra socks! Or keep the car windows down!!
