Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 27, 1993 TAG: 9305270349
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOHN A. MONTGOMERY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The White team is taking an 18-day trip to Germany, Switzerland, Holland and Denmark beginning July 16, and the Green team will play in a suburb of Montreal in late June. It will be the first opportunity for many of the boys to travel internationally.
Because soccer - football as it is known in most foreign countries - is the world's most popular sport, international competition seemed a natural goal for the club's executive director, Danny Beamer. His objective to take a Roanoke squad abroad was realized last summer.
Last year, the Under-15 White team's 16 players, several parents and Beamer made the club's maiden voyage to Europe. The trip was a success by all measures.
"The greatest thing about the trip was that the kids were able to absorb other cultures," Beamer said. "The perspective they gained was invaluable."
Last year's entourage played two games in Germany, before the prestigious Dana Cup in Hjorring, Denmark, and post-tournament play in Copenhagen. In the Dana Cup, the Stars were defeated by defending champion Ocemlovec, Bulgaria, in the round of 16. They completed the competition 3-2.
The team compiled a 5-3-2 record during its European stay, and still found time for extensive sightseeing and socializing.
Justin Brittle, 16, goalie of Cave Spring High School's team, made the European tour last summer. "It was really nice to have the opportunity to play foreign competition," Brittle said.
"I stayed in the home of a German family with one other teammate. Every family hosted two children, except for a few of the smaller homes that kept one."
The Roanoke team stayed in a school in Hjorring during the Dana Cup, and then again with families in Copenhagen.
"The Dana Cup involves something like 800 teams from 70 countries, ranging from Russia to Kenya," Beamer said, "and the exposure was truly a wonderful experience."
"I thought our team played really well [throughout the trip]," Brittle said. "We only lost three of our 10 games, and one of our losses was right after we got there and everybody still had jet lag."
Brittle brought back a couple of shirts as personal souvenirs, "and the families [in Germany and Denmark] gave us some stuff, too," he said. In Denmark, Brittle made friends from Norway with whom he has corresponded. "We've kept in touch," he said.
This year's European trip will cost each traveler $1,600. The club contributes a modest amount. The team has been raising funds during the year through various projects, and parents foot the balance.
Dean Jones, coach of the Under-15 Green team, is coordinating his squad's five-day trip to Montreal. "We've been accepted in the Laval Cup '93," Jones confirmed. "We'll play three games, and maybe four."
Laval is a suburb of Montreal, according to Jones. Last year's tournament there included 252 teams.
"There will be three or four countries represented this year," Jones said, "but most of the teams will come from either Canada or the northeastern United States. Among the North American teams, we will be one of those traveling the farthest."
Jones' team will use two modes of travel. "Some of us will fly, and some of us will drive," he said. "Initially, we planned to charter a bus, but some of the parents wanted to make family vacations out of it."
Jones said that one reason for the trip is to reward the children for their perseverance. "A lot of the guys have been playing together for six or seven years," he said.
"A group of parents got together and decided that Montreal would be the most reasonable opportunity for the kids to travel. And fortunately, the club gave us some financial support.
"This is not as elaborate as the Europe trip, but we feel it will be something special for the kids, and will expose them to a new and memorable experience."
by CNB