One Degree Leadership Group Hosts Friendlies For Charity!
We recently had the opportunity to meet some amazing young ladies–the United Futbol Club GU12 (Girls Under 12) Soccer Team! Not only are these young ladies exceptional athletes on the field, but they also are compassion leaders with a desire and dedication to helping others.
This past spring, the group of 16 girls organized and managed their leagues first “Friendlies for Charity” soccer tournament and fundraiser benefiting a charity of their choice. The GU12 Leadership Group chose the Jessie Rees Foundation as their first charity recipient. Hosting 4 teams and over 8 hours of games, the girls worked tirelessly in planning their tournament as part of their One Degree Leadership Group within the Soccer Program. Guided by their group coordinator, Kelly Nunn, the girls put in several hours of hard work over the course of 6 weeks during their One Degree Leadership meetings to prepare for the event. This included contacting the participating team’s coaches, organizing game, field marshall and referee schedules, putting together healthy and fun snack options and all game day operations.
The Friendlies for Charity Soccer Tournament was a success for the girls and their hard work paid off. While coordinating volunteer stations, a snack bar and alternating roles as field marshalls, the girls were organized and dedicated to sharing Jessie’s story and bringing more awareness to childhood cancers. At the event, the girls also paid a special tribute to super hero Cade Spinello, a very special courageous fighter. As their inspiration, the girls wore wristbands in honor or super Cade.
Kelly Nunn, One Degree Leadership Coordinator reflects on their hard hardwork and motivation on the UFC website:
The GU12 team finished their day off with a “friendly” against an old rival Irvine Pateadores. They went up 3-0 just in time for their friend Cade, who came straight from a very tight Angels game to support them, joined the team on the bench! What Cade didn’t know was that at halftime it as 0-0. The girls were exhausted after a long 8 hours of hard work and the game wasn’t looking like it was going to go in their favor. But, someone spoke up and said… “If Cade can fight… so can we. It is about being positive and working for each other… working for Cade. We NEGU for Cade!” The game ended with a win and the girls paid great tribute to their “Super Cade!”
All in all the day could not have gone any better! Everyone who participated raved about their experience and the girls’ parents and coaches could not have been any prouder. One West Coast coach wrote in a thank you to the girls, “It was a good day of soccer and a great day for the girls and families to think about NEGU. I can tell you so many of our girls are now wearing NEGU items and thinking about what’s more important than soccer! Your United girls took their task seriously and were wonderful hosts and great representatives of your charity and of United FC! I also know it’s not easy to organize so many moving parts for so many people – especially in the shadow of National Cup games -and they did a great job!”
A big thank you to all of the players, coaches, parents and families who worked together to help make this event a reality. And a BIG thank you to the GU12 One Degree Leadership Group and the GU12 Soccer team for all of your hard work and your dedication to making a difference in our community. You are examples of compassionate athletes and with important footsteps for other athletes to follow. we NEGU for you!