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 News from Around Banderas Bay | July 2005 
Mexical – Cross Cultural Soccer Clinics for Kids
 Bob Cohen - PVNN
| | Ex Chivas star and current Director of Sports for the City of Puerto Vallarta, Demetrio Madera. |
| | U.S. professional and national team star Eric Wynalda and future soccer star Stephanie. |
The name might sound like a medical benefit for people living in California, but a new program was developed to give Puerto Vallarta and Southern California youth an opportunity to excel at soccer, and experience competition in neighboring countries. A press conference was held at the Casa Magna Marriott Friday night, introducing the new program and the four main drivers behind starting it.
American soccer star Eric Wynalda, promoter and Program Director Benny Cukier were in Puerto Vallarta two months ago to present the program to former Chivas great and Puerto Vallarta Director of sports, Demetrio Madera and Jesus Piña, the creator in Vallarta. The two local men liked the idea so much that they flew to California to iron out the details and begin the clinics this past weekend. Also involved is Dean Clitfel, a soccer coach in California and ex-player.
The beginnings are basic, the experience fun and the goals are rewarding. Soccer clinics for youth will be held in both Puerto Vallarta and Oxnard, California, just an hour north of Los Angeles. Selected youth will travel to their neighboring country to play and compete in clinics and games, most importantly giving these kids an opportunity to share cross cultural ideas and dreams.
In the rare (for me) bi-lingual press conference each of the men shared their ideas and hopes for the innovative program. Ideas were shared with the public and best of all both countries have much to gain and learn from each other. Wynalda, who played on the U.S. National team, then professionally in Europe, Mexico and the U.S. spoke of the tremendous impact that the American kids can see by the competition, pride and passion that the Mexican citizens have for the game. He also stated that American players are jealous when they see the fan support given to the Mexican team in international competition in comparison to the support received from the American people. Wynalda had the privilege of playing professionally in Leon and actually went head to head with former Chivas star, Madera about ten years ago; the game wound up tied at two.
Cukier spoke of “head tennis”, already a big game in Europe coming to be introduced to Puerto Vallarta. The game is played on a tennis court in a doubles format, with players only permitted to use their feet and heads to return shots. Having never heard of this, I would imagine scoring being similar to tennis, but the action obviously much different. Currently plans call for three or four clinics per year plus a summer camp. Mexican kids will travel to California and visa versa. Best of all, the program is completely funded and is entirely free for the kids that participate. All the men behind the new program had much thanks and compliments for the Marriott and their investment in the program.
Best of all, it was followed up the following day with about 75 kids participating in the first clinic, showing their skills to coaches of international distinction. The kids broke up into four groups according to age and had coaches put them through drills that they experienced when they played. At the press conference the night before, Wynalda stated that we don't know who the next future star might be, but it could come from this program. During the drills, he came over to tell us that person just might be Stephanie, a nine year old girl, already possessing superior skills and a natural instinct for the game. The game was followed by an “old timers game” made up of ex-Chiva players, among others.
Next on the agenda will be a trip to California, and coaches will decide which kids will be invited to participate. It’s a pleasure to see the two countries sharing ideas, culture, as well as competition. Most of all, the kids will reap the rewards of Mexical regardless if they become professionals or not. We will keep readers updated and kudos go to those involved. Keep up the good work guys! |
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