From patient visits at UC Davis Children’s Hospital to the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund, Republic FC first team players are regularly working to give back to the community. However, this week it was Republic FC Academy players leading the way.
On Thursday, Republic FC teamed up with the Sacramento Kings, Way Up Sacramento, Street Soccer USA and City of Sacramento Councilman Jay Schenirer for the Oak Park Smart Sports Clinic. More than 150 local underserved elementary and middle school students gathered at Sacramento Charter High School for the clinic led by Academy players and coaches.
The clinic was the second collaboration between the four community organizations and sports teams in an effort to provide underserved kids the opportunity to train with local athletes and promote a healthy and active lifestyle. For the first Oak Park Smart Clinic on May 12, Republic FC first team players Cameron Iwasa, midfielders Agustin Cazarez and Matt LaGrassa, and defender Chris Christian gave local kids the opportunity to not only train with professional athletes, but also hear about their academic success, all four having gone on to play college soccer at various universities across the country.
However, Thursday’s clinic was led by Academy U-17/18s midfielders Aroon Molina, Giovanny Vazquez and Ryley Kraft (with the assistance of Video Analyst and Camps and Clinics Coordinator Chris Malenab), who were all excited to have a chance to represent Republic FC as they gave back to the community.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us to come out here to help the kids,” said Molina. “It’s good for us and it’s good for the kids. We’re happy to be here. It’s a big opportunity for them to come out here and do a couple drills with us and the Kings. Overall it’s a good opportunity for all of us.”
From patient visits at UC Davis Children’s Hospital to the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund, Republic FC first team players are regularly working to give back to the community. However, this week it was Republic FC Academy players leading the way.
On Thursday, Republic FC teamed up with the Sacramento Kings, Way Up Sacramento, Street Soccer USA and City of Sacramento Councilman Jay Schenirer for the Oak Park Smart Sports Clinic. More than 150 local underserved elementary and middle school students gathered at Sacramento Charter High School for the clinic led by Academy players and coaches.
The clinic was the second collaboration between the four community organizations and sports teams in an effort to provide underserved kids the opportunity to train with local athletes and promote a healthy and active lifestyle. For the first Oak Park Smart Clinic on May 12, Republic FC first team players Cameron Iwasa, midfielders Agustin Cazarez and Matt LaGrassa, and defender Chris Christian gave local kids the opportunity to not only train with professional athletes, but also hear about their academic success, all four having gone on to play college soccer at various universities across the country.
However, Thursday’s clinic was led by Academy U-17/18s midfielders Aroon Molina, Giovanny Vazquez and Ryley Kraft (with the assistance of Video Analyst and Camps and Clinics Coordinator Chris Malenab), who were all excited to have a chance to represent Republic FC as they gave back to the community.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us to come out here to help the kids,” said Molina. “It’s good for us and it’s good for the kids. We’re happy to be here. It’s a big opportunity for them to come out here and do a couple drills with us and the Kings. Overall it’s a good opportunity for all of us.”
The Oak Park Sports Clinic aims to get students out of the classroom and out onto the field or court to provide not just examples of healthy living but also to develop team building, confidence, and self-esteem. Each Academy player, with the help of Malenab and Street Soccer USA coaches, worked with a small group of kids in order to get as much focused training with each participant, while still focusing on the value of teamwork.
“I’m excited to be representing Republic FC,” said Kraft. “It’s a great event and I’m very happy to be a part of this and helping kids find fun ways to be active.”
For their part, the Kings’ took their group to the basketball court to go through various shooting drills, while receiving instruction from Kings NEXT coaches, such as former Kings guard Henry Turner. After an hour of playing time, the groups took a quick snack break then switched in order to provide every child the chance to play both soccer and basketball.
Thursday’s clinic was part of the Academy’s philosophy and commitment that player development—from community involvement to academic performance—is just as critical off the pitch as on the pitch.
“We have some very important pillars for us,” said Academy Director Rod Under Underwood. “Number one we want these guys to be good people, number two we want these players to be exposed and have a chance at national teams, and we want to get them into elite colleges. We want to make sure that one days these kids sign for the first team.”
“It was a good experience coming out here and playing with the kids,” added Vazquez. “It was fun to be a part of the clinic and I wish when I was a kid they would have brought players and had clinics like this at my school. It’s great to represent the club because it shows how much we care about the community.”
The Oak Park Sports Clinic aims to get students out of the classroom and out onto the field or court to provide not just examples of healthy living but also to develop team building, confidence, and self-esteem. Each Academy player, with the help of Malenab and Street Soccer USA coaches, worked with a small group of kids in order to get as much focused training with each participant, while still focusing on the value of teamwork.
“I’m excited to be representing Republic FC,” said Kraft. “It’s a great event and I’m very happy to be a part of this and helping kids find fun ways to be active.”
For their part, the Kings’ took their group to the basketball court to go through various shooting drills, while receiving instruction from Kings NEXT coaches, such as former Kings guard Henry Turner. After an hour of playing time, the groups took a quick snack break then switched in order to provide every child the chance to play both soccer and basketball.
Thursday’s clinic was part of the Academy’s philosophy and commitment that player development—from community involvement to academic performance—is just as critical off the pitch as on the pitch.
“We have some very important pillars for us,” said Academy Director Rod Under Underwood. “Number one we want these guys to be good people, number two we want these players to be exposed and have a chance at national teams, and we want to get them into elite colleges. We want to make sure that one days these kids sign for the first team.”
“It was a good experience coming out here and playing with the kids,” added Vazquez. “It was fun to be a part of the clinic and I wish when I was a kid they would have brought players and had clinics like this at my school. It’s great to represent the club because it shows how much we care about the community.”
