By Tom Steinert
From July 14 to 16, students in grades 1-8 throughout the 21st Legislative District were invited to come learn soccer fundamentals and participate in athletic competition. The event generated a huge turnout of both girls and boys.
“I try my best to put forward events for the community, and with this one in particular my aim was directed towards the kids,” Alfano remarked. “It gave them the opportunity to not only receive free instruction, but to have a little fun as well, and the event this year was wildly successful.” About 300 students attend each day, with about an equal number of boys and girls.
With the help of the coaches, the focus of the first two days was skills and training. The final day featured team games played within the grade levels and challenge matches between the grades. Individual players were rewarded with awards and trophies, and each group received a medallion as a token of their achievement. Coaches competed in games against each other as well.
“This clinic was about learning skills, sportsmanship, and having a great time,” Alfano said. “Providing positive outlets for our young people during the summer months has been my objective with my 3-on-3 basketball tournaments and now this soccer clinic was able to do the same.”
The clinic featured Elmont Memorial High School head soccer coach Pat Corvetti and Floral Park Memorial coach Laurie Larusso, who each gave expert instruction to the players. All-County players Ajanni Jones and Diana Allen, the latter who earned honorable mention as player last year, were also on hand to help out. Close to 20 coaches volunteered for the event as well as high school students from the Elmont area and members of the Long Island Rough Riders.
The clinic took place for 2 1/2 hours each of the three days, running from 9:30 am until noon. On the final day, a special lunch was sponsored by Alfano. On each of the three days, drinks were provided for participants to stay hydrated.
Alfano said he plans on running the event again next summer. To him, three days for this event was perfect and depending on the number of volunteers next year, he may even extend it a couple more days.
The assemblyman said that one mother told him that she had no trouble waking up her son in the morning to attend the clinic. The event certainly gave the students something to look forward to for each of the three days.
Comments about this story? AHackmack@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
