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Just For Kicks
What a picture to see soccer players of all ages running around the new, lush green fields at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex last Saturday. Lush Waipio fields
seeded decades agoMore than 300 games were played on the 18 fields surrounding the main stadium.
It was a long day, yet 1,000 or more players in uniform, including members of the University of Hawaii women's team, marched into the stadium behind Mayor Jeremy Harris and other dignitaries.
A short formal program was followed by the lighting of the soccer flame with an Olympic torch used at the 1996 Atlanta Games. The official festivities concluded with a dazzling, 15-minute fireworks show.
In many ways, this complex is the result of a seed planted in 1961 when four teams formed the Hawaii Soccer Association.
That seed didn't grow by itself. Many dedicated men and women - coaches, referees, club officials, high school athletic directors, Olympic Development Program and Special Olympics people - had a hand in nurturing that seed to the point where city leaders decided it was appropriate and necessary to build the complex.
Yet one has to wonder where soccer would be today without the introduction of AYSO to the islands by Peter Chaffey in the early '70s?
Youth soccer has been the backbone of the growth, both in numbers and to all islands.
It was gratifying Saturday to see so many parents there.
These parents decided soccer was a worthy endeavor for their children. They back up the commitment by crunching schedules to get their youngsters to practice and games. They buy the soda, make the sandwiches, help line fields, work fund-raisers and dig deep when a child has a chance to attend a clinic or tournament, especially on the mainland.
You have provided an opportunity for your children and deserve much credit.
It is the reason there are more than 140 Hawaii players competing at the college level today. Many are receiving scholarships or financial aid necessary to further their education.
Shaye Anderson, Western Washington University's goalkeeper, was named to the all-tournament team of the Roadrunner Classic held in Bakersfield, Calif., Aug. 26-27.
The Parker High School graduate allowed just one goal and made nine saves in 165 minutes of action.
She also was in the goal when the Wildcats blanked Hawaii Pacific, 1-0, Aug. 31.
Junior Erin Otagaki (Punahou) started at one striker position for the University of Washington on opening day. She scored the final goal in an opening-day 8-0 victory over Eastern Washington.
The first goal in the history of the University of Nevada women's program was scored by freshman midfielder Ka'ulawena Rowe (Kamehameha) Aug. 27 in a match at Cal State Sacramento.
Ryan Parker and Phil Rogerson scored goals as Lanikai edged Latin Hawaii, 2-1, in the championship match of MISO's summer league.
Nick Chapin scored for Latin Hawaii, giving him 11 goals and the scoring title for the third consecutive season.
It was the first championship match played at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.
My sincere thanks to Gordon Beatty, Manny Menendez and David Carey for the recognition Saturday night.
Whatever my contributions to Hawaii soccer, it was because people gave me the opportunity to share a passion for the sport with many talented people.
