Thirty-eight young people ramped up their soccer skills over the weekend thanks to a cast of volunteers in the Central Coast Soccer Clinic.
Staged at the athletic field at E.A Hall MIddle School, Elementary through high school-aged kids ran through drills and games Saturday and Sunday at a time where soccer is a big topic with the World Cup FIFA matches unfolding around the globe, and with Argentina set to face off against Spain on Sunday.
“We want to give back; this is where we’re from and soccer was a big part of our young lives,” said coach Roy Contreras. “This is a chance to share some of that joy that soccer can bring with our local kids. Helping out here is about building a relationship with the soccer ball and each other. That’s what it did for me.”
In addition to helping the kids develop their soccer skills, each of them was handed a new Watsonville 2026 Community Soccer Clinic T-shirt, a new soccer ball and a bag of school supplies for the upcoming school year.
“You never know, one day someone here could end up playing in the World Cup,” Contreras said. “With FIFA in the air right now, these kids are really excited to be out here.”
Coach Jose Lupe Martinez said he attended Rolling Hills Middle School and graduated from Watsonville High.
“This is what kept me out of trouble, and now it’s something I can provide for the kids,” he said. “I’m here every other Saturday and Sunday to help provide a better world for the kids. We have five and six-year-olds and we have some 12-year-olds out here.”
Among the coaches—who met at Watsonville High years ago—was former Watsonville Mayor Francisco Estrada and Watsonville certified Farmers Market manager Jesus Madrigal.
Walmer Martinez, who has played with the El Salvador National team, has been helping out with the soccer club for years.
“This is how I grew up and it is my way of giving back like the people that helped me,” Martinez said. “It feels great to see all these people coming together to have a good time and develop skills that they will carry with them a long time. The main thing is we’re out here having fun and it’s healthy.”
Sponsors for the group include Driscoll’s, BC Media, Pacific Vista Farms, Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services, and the City of Watsonville.
