Barefooting in the park
From the Rutland Herald
By Sarah Hinckley
The College of St. Joseph’s women’s soccer team is encouraging the public to kick it, right down to their bare feet, this weekend at the Lose the Shoes, College Kick AIDS event.
A three-on-three barefoot soccer tournament is set to begin at 3 p.m. on the college’s soccer field on the Clement Road campus. Members of the college team are collecting donations at the event, 100 percent of which will go to benefit Grassroot Soccer’s International HIV Prevention Program.
This weekend is homecoming weekend at the college and organizers are hoping for a strong turnout. People can sign up to play in the tournament until it begins on Saturday afternoon. A donation is not necessary to participate, but is encouraged.
All ages and skill levels are welcome. Teams may be chosen randomly and most will include a player from one of the college teams.
“We won’t turn anyone down,” said sophomore Linda Clements, a member of the women’s soccer team. “(Coach asked) each person to find at least 10 people to donate $17, because that’s the cost to sponsor a child.”
Ian Akin is in his first year as the CSJ women’s soccer coach and was the one who introduced the Lose the Shoes idea to his players.
“He’s just an amazing individual that brings so much more to the team than soccer,” said Sarah Palhete, a senior who has played for college team for four years.
As part of the homecoming line-up, the women’s team is scheduled to play at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed at 1 p.m. by a men’s soccer game.
Members of the teams will then help in rounding up players for the tournament and collecting donations for the cause. Each game is scheduled to run 15 minutes and organizers are hoping for at least 30 teams. Players from Mill River United are expected to participate in the tournament.
College Kick AIDS is part of Grassroot Soccer and was started a year ago at Dartmouth College to raise AIDS awareness. This fall up to 25 schools around the country are expected to host their own Lose the Shoes tournament.
By using professional soccer players as health educators, Grassroot Soccer works with African youth to give them skills, knowledge and support to live HIV-free.
“We’re taking their custom and bringing it here and playing with our shoes off,” Palhete said.
There will also be a band, food and kiddie games to entertain those not playing during the barefoot tournament.
For more information about the tournament or to make a donation, call Ian Akin at 353-2729. To find out more about the program, go to www.grassrootsoccer.org.