San Ramon Soccer Player Selected Join San Jose Earthquakes U.S. Soccer Development Academy

By Mike McGinley

Some goals are scored. Others are achieved. San Ramon Soccer player Blake Hazelton has scored many goals in his young soccer career, but the one he just achieved eclipses them all.

Hard work & dedication, combined with the training and support from SRS coaches, created a terrific opportunity for Blake: An invitation to join the San Jose Earthquakes U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

Blake started playing soccer for SRS at age 5, running around the fields on Saturday mornings in San Ramon. As he got older, he tried out for the AZURI program and he stayed with the club until his U13 season, playing both forward and outside midfielder.

The week that his season with the AZURI 01 Boys came to an end, Blake received an email invitation to try out for the San Jose Earthquakes Pre-Academy. Blake had no intention of trying out or playing for San Jose. He just figured it would be a
great way to touch the ball for the weekend. So, he attended the tryout to get some extra practice. He was one of only two players from a pool of 175 who were called back.

Blake ended up playing on the pre-academy team, basically trying out every time he stepped on the pitch for a spot on the final Academy team. Imagine going on a job interview over and over for nine months and you may get an idea of what that experience was like. The pre-academy team enjoyed some success of its own this summer, winning the illustrious San Diego Surf Cup Tournament in the U15 division.

Last month, the name Blake Hazelton was added to the final U14 Academy team. He accepted. After signing with the Academy, he has been training with his new team for the past several weeks. According to his mom, Lori Hazelton, he absolutely loves it!

Signing with the U14 Academy is a big commitment for Blake and his family. It also meant that Blake had to leave our club to pursue his dream. Our club’s disappointment at losing a quality player and a quality person pales in comparison to the happiness we feel for Blake. As we explain in our club philosophy, our focus is on player development. When players like Blake put in the effort, we aren’t surprised when good things happen.

His mom, Lori, had this to say about his experience with San Ramon Soccer: “I feel that SRS and its coaching staff, specifically Coach Zlatko Tomic, helped Blake to reach this goal by developing him to be the confident player he is today. Zlatko taught
Blake that through discipline, hard work, and dedication, he could achieve anything. Blake always has a ball at his feet and a real love for the game, and for that I am truly thankful.”

All of us at San Ramon Soccer want to say “Congratulations, Blake!” We’re thrilled that you’ve earned this opportunity with the Earthquakes Academy and look forward to hearing more about your progress with your new club.

Photo Credit: Lori Hazelton