Poet-Athletes Get a Kick Out of Soccer

In celebration of National Youth Soccer Month, we asked our Poet-Athletes, coaches, and parents what soccer and SCORES means to them and their communities.

Jasiah is pumped to be his soccer team’s last line of defense.

Fifteen minutes before the first match of the Cleveland SCORES spring season, the goalie is bouncing around the sidelines, nervously tapping his head. He loves soccer. He loves the competition.

“Today is good,” he says, adjusting his glasses. “I think we can win.”

He is tested early. In the first few minutes of play, the opposing team looks like it will score on a breakaway. Instead of sitting back, Jasiah charges, jumps on the ball and stands up smiling.

Moments like that keep young athletes like Jasiah coming back. Soccer is one of the three pillars of Cleveland SCORES programming, along with poetry and service. Kids learn teamwork, engage in physical activity after school and learn healthy habits – all while having fun.

I think it is a great program for kids. It gives them something to do, something to look forward to. And if they are interested in playing a sport, it will get them ready for middle school or high school. At the same time, it is also developing their writing and public speaking skills. My team loves the game, so it makes it easy for me. - David Cinco, Cleveland SCORES Coach

Parent Accandria Rhym says, “It’s enjoyable, it is teaching them teamwork skills, how to channel their energy and put it on the field.”

Marielena Quendo, whose soccer-loving son jumped at the chance to play with Cleveland SCORES, says the activity is safe and promotes good sportsmanship.

The young Poet-Athletes of Cleveland SCORES enjoy their time on and off the pitch:

I come to soccer because I just want to have fun at the end of the day. Then I have some energy to do my homework - Sawmia, 9.

When we get the ball, we pass it to our teammates and we don’t go by ourselves straight up. - Bashir, 11.

It's not complicated. I just come here to have fun - Kaliyah, 9

Take a look at the full interviews below. Happy Youth Soccer Month!