'Unknown' by Unknown - Page 27 of 32

June 2006

PAGE 27

South Hill Family Makes A Difference in Mexico

By Leslie Groce

WSYSA Communications Director

hat could be better than spending

your spring vacation in a condo-

minium resort in Puerto Vallarta,

Mexico? If you'd asked Mathias Anderle

that question four years ago, you would

have found the eight year old juggling a

soccer ball by the swimming pool, look-

ing for "a game". Impressed by his jug-

gling skills and passion for the game,

Rodrigo Urtiaga, an assistant coach for

one of the local youth soccer clubs

(Agua Azul Football Club), invited

Mathias and his dad, John to meet him

prior to his morning team practices to

learn new juggling skills. Traveling to

local soccer fields, Mathias saw players

who had as much passion for the game

as he did, but many were hindered from

playing their best because they played in

street clothes and flip flops; many times

he saw kids playing with rag balls rather

than real soccer balls.

Anderles shared their story with the

like the way Mathias plays; he is a great

"We want to make sure that the gear

When they returned to Puyallup,

TPCJSA South Hill Soccer Club, and a

distributor of the ball, so the kids like to

makes it to the kids who really need it,"

Mathias wondered if some of his no-

Pass Back Program was created; Club

pass it to him, so he can move it up."

explained John. "The broker's fees are

longer-used soccer uniforms and too-

members collected gently used uniforms

Mathias' trip to Puerto Vallarta was

looking pretty onerous right now, so I'm

small soccer cleats could be used by his

and soccer gear for the Anderle family to

cut short by ODP tryouts, so the

looking into ways to reduce them, or for

soccer companions in Puerto Vallarta.

distribute in Puerto Vallarta. This spring,

Anderles are thinking about making

someone who can help us out in that

He shared his story with his teammates

four years into the program, John and

another trip to Puerto Vallarta this year.

area." s

on the South Hill Revolution, who quick-

Coach Rodrigo were able to fulfill the

"We are always looking for more dona-

ly found gear in their closets to con-

dreams of many needy soccer players

tions of gently-used or new soccer equip-

tribute. John and Rodrigo kept in touch

when Diadora and Eurosport also donat-

ment, including nets and referee gear,"

over the next few months, and when

ed thousands of dollars worth of new

said John.

they returned to Puerto Vallarta, the

If you would like more information

soccer shoes and uniforms. Alaska

The program works so well because

Anderles carried a large duffel bag filled

about the TPCJSA

Airlines donated the cost of shipping the

of the great friendship that has evolved

with the gently-used gear, which was

containers on last year's trip, but the bro-

between Coach Rodrigo and John. The

South Hill Pass Back Program,

quickly distributed to the most needy of

ker's fees for the shipment were

coach keeps track of the needs of the

contact John Anderle at

the kids in Coach Rodrigo's soccer club.

absorbed by the family.

players in his club, and John is able to

"I couldn't believe the looks on their

marketquest 365@comcast.net.

"Still, when we went down there

convey those specific needs to support-

faces when they saw shoes made out of

this time, we saw shoes that we'd given

ers such as Diadora and Eurosport.

Donations to the program

real leather, and they loved the uniforms

out in previous years are being handed

Because of the generous donations they

and real soccer balls," exclaimed

down to younger siblings, or to others in

have received, Coach Rodrigo and John

can be sent to or dropped off at

Mathias. "I've been to the orphanage

the community," said John. Toe-headed

are looking to expand their program to

MarketQuest,

there, and I saw that those kids really

Mathias has become a celebrity among

other youth soccer clubs in outlying

10213 139th St Ct E,

needed our help the most. So we were

the youth in Coach Rodrigo's soccer

communities of Puerto Vallarta. The

Puyallup, WA 98374.

determined to bring more the next

club, not just for his role in the Pass Back

biggest drawback right now is finding a

Program. He has become a rostered

year."

broker who can assist with their expand-

player on Coach Rodrigo's team. "They

When they returned to Puyallup, the

ing shipping needs.

Joe Machnik's No.1 Soccer Camps

See us at

No. 1 Goalkeeper Camp

No. Goalkeeper Camp

Destination

No. 1 Striker Camp

Striker Camp

Olympia

All Field Players Welcome

Field Players Welcome

Soccer in the

Capitol City

Multiple

the Evergreen

"Our 30th Year"

State College

Sessions

The Most Trusted Name iin

The Most Trusted Name n

July 23rd

Soccer Camps!

18 Sites

through 28th

Nationwide

visit us at

Rated "Top camp"

"We've got your camp"

www.wsysa.com

Sports Illustrated for Kids

Sports Illustrated for Women

Mike Potier 321-773-7381

e-mail: mikepotier@no1soccercamps.com