Claudio Reyna Foundation: Joining Urban Youth from Across the River

Spirrsblog.com Jun 5, 2009

Sunday May 31, 2009 marked the first ever Claudio Reyna Foundation Brooklyn Vs Newark Season Wrap-up Game. All were welcome, as players, parents, coaches, fans and family gathered at St. Benedicts Prep in New Jersey to witness this fruitful game between the Brooklyn and Newark teams. The game culminates and highlights the hard work of the inner city youth hand selected to be apart of such a special program. In the Fall of 2008, Claudio Reyna started his foundation in hopes to create a Soccer Acadecy that would do more that just give children a place to play. The Academy welcomed young players from Brooklyn, NY and Newark, NJ to take part in this educational development program that exceeds the lines of the playing field. As founder Claudio Reyna describes, the mission is to “motivate and support underpriviledge youth around the globe by providing positive experiences through education, commnity involvement, and sport that grow healthy bodies, minds and spirits.” This game represented a full year of player, parent and coaching support and committment to creating this vision.

With the sun over head and not a cloud in site, the small turf field presented a nice hot surface for the 8v8 match. Each team dressed in their bright, bold jersey baring TEAM Brooklyn and TEAM Newark, were ready and eager to play. Anxious players and excited parents lined the field. As everyone gathered for the opening words from Claudio Reyna, smell of hot dogs and hamburgers filled the air. He explained the significant gesture of Jersey trading, how it is done all over the world and how especially important it was in the joining of two teams. The player representative of TEAM Brooklyn and TEAN Newark, shook hands and traded sign Jerseys, and the teams were ready to go.

To the surprise of many, as the players moved onto, their teams were divided. Team Brooklyn spilt and Team Newark separated. Before both team could realize, there were two evenly matched teams. Players stood side-by-side with new teammates from across the river. With one goal in mind, the lines of Brooklyn and Newark began to fade and game began. The coaches took the field and everyone was involved. The flare, character and personalities of the inner city kid displayed “fun” to the fullest. The sound of laughter and cheering combined with excitement of the game couldn’t depict a better sunday afternoon.

A few word from Claudio on the day, “So nice to see the parents, kids, friends and guests enjoy the afternoon. Having the kids get to meet each other from the two Academies was my personal highlight.
They exchanged jerseys before the game and in keeping with the spirit of the afternoon were only concerned about getting to know each other and not so much on who was winning the game. We decided to mix the kids up so they can play with kids from the other Academy and I believe this made the game much more relaxing for the kids. I want to thank everyone for their work today and throughout the past year in making this happen. This is just the beginning and with continued hard work we will make an impact on more families in the future.”

For more information on the Claudio Reyna Foundation please visit www.claudioreynafoundation.org