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Haldane's Mixed Modified Soccer Squad Evolves as a Team
By Coach Airinhos Serradas
 | | Pictured are goalie Cali Schweikhart and James Rubino |
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The Haldane Mixed Modified team put up a valiant fight in the home game against Peekskill on Friday. We lost the match 4 goals to 0.
They as a team are coming together. The team is beginning to understand that there is so much more about the sport of soccer (Futbol). They are developing skills and techniques and moves that they had not known were possible to put to work at their level. Their communication is increasing on a daily basis. With each practice and each game they put into motion what they have learned through out the week.
While the team is very young and is developing, the team as a whole should be viewed as the future. It comprises of 19 of our most dedicated student soccer athletes. Thirteen of whom are in the 7th grade and the balance in 8th grade. Of the nineteen athletes, we have six young ladies on the team that pound for pound make their statement on the field and can stand up to their male counterparts. I could not have been more proud of the entire team!
In a letter to the team I reminded them that that this is about them. This is their experience. They should play to improve themselves and to improve the team dynamic. This is not about the coach! This is not about the parents! It is all about them! Many other schools have the benefit of having an ongoing and a formalized development program. Our Philipstown Recreation Department along with the volunteer coaches have done and continue to a do a wonderful job of keeping these young athletes interested. If it were not for their selflessness and generosity we would not have squad with the interest, experience and skill.
A formalized development program is a grass roots effort. We need to bind together to ensure that these young student athletes continue to develop their fundamental skills, their knowledge. All the while building their self esteem.
The other benefit is that they continue to appreciate Soccer (Futbol), known through out the world as the "Beautiful Game" or "Jogo Bonito".
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