MY EVERETT NEWS

Everett Police Sgt. Manuel Garcia is the driving force behind the Futbol Academy

Registration is open until June 20th and is limited to 500 kids.

I’ve happily written about the Casino Road Futbol Academy for the past few years and what once was the vision of Everett Police Sgt. Manny Garcia, is an ongoing reality. The event is made possible thru the cooperation of the Everett Police Department, the Mukilteo and Everett School Districts and the tireless work of dozens of family members and volunteers. If you want to be inspired, stop by for a few minutes and observe. Here are the details for this year’s event…

The Casino Road Futbol Academy runs June 24 through June 28 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. daily at Walter E. Hall Park in south Everett and is capped at the first 500 boys and girls, ages 7-14. The Academy is a weeklong soccer camp where over 2,500 area youth have learned soccer and life skills from talented coaches and volunteers. While playing soccer draws youth to the camp, the underlying focus is educating participants on what it takes to be a good citizen in our community.

The Casino Road Futbol Academy is the dream of Everett Police Department Sergeant Manny Garcia who has refined the idea of partnering local businesses, schools, churches and community agencies who are committed to creating positive change in our community with youth through soccer. His concept is based on a simple premise: Youth who actively engage in positive pursuits make better choices and stronger communities. Manny believes participation in sporting programs with strong associations to community leaders keep youth focused on positives and steers them away from the negatives. “The Casino Road Futbol Academy is a success because youth see their City officials, police department and inspirational adults breaking down barriers with them and encouraging them in a positive direction”, says Manny.

Enrollment is open now through the South Everett Boys & Girls Club (525 W. Casino Road, Everett, WA 98204). Registration is $20.00 per participant and includes breakfast and lunch for the week, a jersey and soccer ball.

You can click here for a copy of the registration form.

Everett Police Lt. Manuel Garcia is the driving force behind the Futbol Academy

Early registration is recommended. To register a child between 7 – 14 years old call (425) 244-4511

Last year we told you about the Casino Road Futbol Academy, a great program that helps disadvantaged kids in Everett in a positive, fun and healthy environment.  The Everett Police Department partners with the Mukilteo and Everett School Districts along with businesses and community volunteers to put on the week-long program. The idea for the Futbol Academy came from Everett Police lieutenant Manuel Garcia, who developed it back when he was a police sergeant working the Casino road area. A former professional soccer player in Mexico City, Garcia knew from personal experience how playing the game can keep you out of trouble. The vast majority of the kids at the academy come from families living at or below the poverty level with few chances to participate in organized activities. While the cost is only $20 for the week-long camp, many of the kids attend for free thanks to scholarships made possible by donations from the general public, sponsors and community groups.

When I did the story on the event last year I asked Garcia if the project was getting too big to handle, nearly doubling in size year after year. He smiled and said no, this is truly a project that will never get too big, even as it keeps growing. It’s also nice to see that what started out as a simple idea and a project to keep kids occupied and interested in soccer has turned into a family affair. Last year, Garcia proudly pointed out his daughter, who was busy with clipboard and notes, organizing the day’s activities. He pointed to his brothers and sisters in arms at the Everett Police Department, who give their own time, money and effort. He pointed out the parents of the participants who make this their family vacation and coach their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins and perfect strangers. He pointed to the teachers and community volunteers all working together to build a better community right here in Everett thru soccer.

This year the camp has added a second location. The first week, July 2nd – 6th, will happen as usual at Walter E. Hall park in South Everett. It runs daily from 8:00am - 2:00pm and registration is limited to the first 400 kids between the ages of 7 – 14 years old.

The second Futbol Academy this summer is at Hawthorne Elementary School in north Everett. It will be run in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club and is set for July 9th through July 13th from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. daily and registrations will also be capped at the first 400 boys and girls, between the ages of 7 – 14.

Registration to either camp is $20.00 per child for the week. All participants will be fed breakfast and lunch and given a jersey and soccer ball to take home. Early registration is advised as the event fills up quickly. To register for either location call (425) 244-4511 or come to the Everett Boys and Girls Club at 2316 12th street in north Everett.

Nearly 500 kids are participating this year

It started pretty informally five years ago as a way to keep kids out of trouble. Now, with nearly 500 kids, the annual Casino Road Futbol Academy is a major event on Everett’s Casino Road. I’ll be the first to admit that when I write about Casino Road it’s usually a story about crime, gangs or violence. Today I wanted to share one of the many positive sides of Casino Road. One that doesn’t get enough attention. This week dozens of volunteers are taking vacation, helping here on their time off before and after work or donating personal time, money and energy to teach positive life lessons thru soccer to kids ages six to fourteen at Walter E. Hall Park on Casino Road. They are teachers, parents, police officers and soccer coaches, each with their own reasons for donating their time and feeding off the energy and excitement generated by nearly 500 young participants. The idea for the week-long program came from Manuel Garcia, back when he was a police sergeant working the Casino road area. A former professional soccer player in Mexico City, Garcia knew from personal experience how playing the game can keep you out of trouble. The vast majority of the kids at the academy live on Casino road and come from families living at or below the poverty level. While the cost is only $20 for the week-long camp, many of the kids attend for free thanks to scholarships made possible by donations from the general public, sponsors and community groups. In addition to soccer, the academy teaches positive life lessons. After breakfast, today’s lesson was about respect, teamwork and communication. It started with a presentation and demonstrations of respect, teamwork and communication by several Everett police officers and then the volunteer soccer coaches took those lessons onto the field. Every day a different set of life lessons is taught, followed by lots and lots of soccer.

Everett Police Lt. Manuel Garcia

I asked Garcia, now a police lieutenant, if the project was getting too big to handle, nearly doubling in size year after year. He smiled and said no, this is truly a project that will never get too big, especially too big to fail. It’s also nice to see that what started out as a simple idea and a project to keep kids occupied and interested in soccer has turned into a family affair. Garcia proudly pointed out his daughter, who was busy with clipboard and notes, organizing the day’s activities. He pointed to his brothers and sisters in arms at the Everett Police Department, who give their own time, money and effort. He pointed out the parents of the participants who make this their family vacation and coach their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins and perfect strangers. He pointed to the teachers and community volunteers all working together to build a better community right here on Everett’s Casino Road. If you’d like to help out with next year’s camp, make a donation or find out more. Just click here.