Youth Services Soccer Clinic- It's a kick!

1ST LT. VICTOR HOFFER
31st ADA Bde.

---

A wide array of kids from Fort Bliss Youth Services gathered together each morning Aug. 2-6 for a soccer clinic. For some, it was the first time they had ever played the sport, for some others, soccer is old hat.

“We’ve been teaching them fundamentals,” Coach Chuck Barrow said. “We have kids from five years old to 14 years and all different skill ranges, so the challenge is to make it fun for all of them.”

Barrow, a staff sergeant and NCOIC of Physical Therapy at the Fort Bliss Family Clinic, has coached for many years, and was asked to instruct at the clinic.

“He was coaching the last year and just got back from deployment,” said Staff Sgt. Marcus Wood, the assistant NCOIC of Physical Therapy at William Beaumont Army Medical Center and Barrow’s supervisor. “And of course, that’s his passion: coaching.”

Wood said Beaumont was happy to provide Barrow for the mornings — he returned to Soldiering for the second half of the day – in order to support Team Bliss and the youth services.

“Kids need positive role models; that’s what we’re lacking right now is strong role models,” Wood said. “If we can allow Soldiers to [mentor as a coach and role model], it reflects us supporting Team Bliss, the kids and the parents.”

For the kids, the clinic was a valuable learning experience, and one that often motivated and encouraged them.
“When I began I used to be real bad,” said Alex Espinosa, 12. She said she could see significant improvement in her play even halfway through the week. “I think I’ll be pretty good when I finish at the end of the week,” she said.

When the next full-time soccer season starts up in autumn, Espinosa plans on signing up to play.
“He teaches a lot of teamwork,” Lucy Vasquez, 11, said of Barrow. “I don’t really have a lot of that ‘cause at my school we play alleyway soccer and it’s everyone against everyone.”

For the parents, the clinic was a welcome respite from the daily grind of the summer, and a chance to help kids adjust to Fort Bliss.

“He’s new on post,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Elliott, commander of the 204th Security Forces Squadron on Biggs Army Airfield, of his son, one of two children he enrolled in the clinic, “so it’s a chance to meet other kids on post.”

“It’s been long, hot and hard to do ‘cause you’re doing this in the sun for about four hours,” said Cullen Elliott, 12, referring to the clinic. Regardless, he enjoyed the week and thoroughly enjoys playing.
“I just try to get kids interested in soccer,” Barrow said of his motivation to coach for the clinic. “Most of them haven’t done anything all summer.” The goal is “getting them out to get some exercise and have fun while they’re doing it.”

For more information on the Youth Center and their activities, call 568-KIDS.