Rancho Capistrano, October
1997. The Australian School Girl Youth Team made a visit to Southern California
for an international friendly game vs the U.S. U17 Youth National Team.
Prior to taking on the U.S. in San Diego, the Australian Team had an exhibition
game against the Southern California Blues Adult Women's Team.
Originally there were two games scheduled but due to the sudden rain in So Cal, only the first scheduled match was played. The game was held at Rancho Capistrano Field and ended up in a 1-1 draw on a late penalty kick in favor of the visitors. Over 100 spectators took advantage the opportunity to see how the Australians play ball.
Konnicci
wa! The Blues soccer club served as international hosts to the AS
Elfen youth soccer teams which were visiting the United States from
Japan. The Japanese girls arrived on Friday August 22, 1997. Their objective,
a home stay program and some international friendlies with the Blues
Soccer Club. Six games were scheduled for
August 23 & 24 at Rancho Capistrano. 24 Japanese girls were paired up
for home stays with some of the Blues players and hope is that some time
in the future a return trip may be possible for the Blues. The Blues
overpowered the Japanese in all the games winning in convincing fashion
but the Japanese showed well with respect to their skill level. After
the final games on Sunday the 24th all of the Japanese players and their
Blues hosts met at Eric and Karen Perkowski's home for an All American
Bar BQ catered by Dem Bones of Santa Monica. Along with the chow, the
festivities included an exchange of gifts and thanks. Everyone involved
felt it was a rewarding experience for both sides. Thanks go out to Julie
and Dave Mildrew for putting the event together.
Earlier
in the year the Prima Ham Professional Football Club "Kuno-Ichi" (Lady
Ninjyas) was in town on May 19 and took on the Southern California Blues
Adult Women's team at the new San Juan Capistrano Community Center and
Sports Park. About 200 fans including many of the younger Blues players
gathered at the Sports Park to watch a very entertaining game that ended
in a 1-0 victory for the visitors from Japan. On the Lady Ninjya side
was Canadian National Team and former North Carolina State player Charmaine
Hooper (#11), who scored the game's only goal. The Prima Ham
Lady Ninjyas play in the Japanese Women's Soccer League and were here
to contribute to friendship between our countries through soccer. As more information
becomes available, Blues News will have it here! Mata o-me ni kakareruto
ii desu ne (I hope to see you again).
Pasadena,
CA. In an international soccer rematch of the 1994 World Cup game between
the United States and Colombian men's national men's teams, the under 11
girl's Estrellas representing Colombia will travel to Southern California
to take on the United States, which will be represented by the under
11 Southern California Blues. Both girls U11
teams, administrators, and fans will take part in the "KIDS KUP",an International
Youth Soccer Exchange and Festival on Sunday, July 14, 1996. The festival
and game will get underway at the Occidental College Stadium in Pasadena
with festivities beginning at 12:00 pm, and game time scheduled for 3:15
pm. Occidental College is at 1600 Campus Road, 2 Fwy, Verdugo Road, Eagle
Rock Boulevard. Playing at the event will be Latin Jazz Headliners Justo
Almario and Costazul orchestra. There will be a Regional Food Festival
for all to enjoy. The party starts with children's contests at 12:00 pm.
The musical celebration will begin at 1:00 until just before game time.
Special introductions of the teams and officials will start at 2:45 and
kickoff for the long awaited match is again at 3:15 with music resuming
at the conclusion of the game. The importance of this event goes way beyond
soccer competition for these young ladies. On July 10 the Blues will hold
a soccer clinic for both teams at 3:30 pm at their home fields, Rancho
Capistrano. That evening the Blues girls and families will open their homes
to their Colombian opponents so that these special soccer players can get
a taste of american family life. The next morning the girls will wake up
early and have scheduled a trip for both teams to Disneyland along with
other activities. The hope is that through this friendly exchange in soccer,
these young girls learn about each other and develop an international understanding
and friendships.
When
asked about the planned trip by the Colombian girl's, Rebecca Mildrew (Blues
U12) said "I want the girls to come over, because it will be a
neat experience playing them, and it would be nice to find out how they
play. It would also be nice to become friends with them and stay in touch.
I hope one day we will be able to return the trip to Colombia, it would
be quite an adventure to learn what life is like over there."
This trip is being planned and set up by attorneys Richard and Maria
Hamar of Beverly Hills along with the help of several prominent Colombian
dignitaries. The Hamars have taken a strong interest in
the growth of girl's soccer in Colombia including the establishment of
the country's first ever girl's league and national championship tournament
which drew over 5,000 spectators. There are plans in the works to schedule
a return trip for the Blues girls sometime in November.
Several generous sponsors have also signed onto the project including
Mexicana Airlines who agreed to fly the Colombian girls round trip free
of charge. Regardless of the generosity of all those involved there will
still be costs for implementing a project of this magnitude. If anyone
is interested in offering financial or advertising assistance it will be
welcomed and worth while indeed. Please contact Hamar & Hamar at (310)
550-0460 with any project inquiries. Tickets will be sold at $5.00 per adult and $2.50 per child to help defer
the costs of this event. Please help us promote friendship and unity among
children by lending your support to this great event.
