Live Oak Youth Summer Indoor Futsal

Now in its third year, this free summer athletic league is a collaborative success story according to the four groups sponsoring the six week program.

The Sheriff Activity League provides the shirts, equipment, insurance and referees, the Live Oak School District provides the gym, the Live Oak Family Resource Center manages registration and Communities Organized for Relational Power and Action (COPA) is coordinating the 18 volunteer coaches.

A huge number of volunteers have stepped forward to support the effort aimed at giving Latino children in the Live Oak School District their first experiences with organized sports. Karen Mallory, a COPA leader working on the opening day ceremony, estimates that there are 75 parents who are having their first experience volunteering on a large community effort.

“A safe community needs prevention, intervention and suppression efforts,” says Manny Reyes, 19. Reyes, who played last year, has now graduated to coach coordinator. He got involved with others in COPA and met with Sheriff Phil Wowack. Together they created Futsal for Live Oak.

“Sports is prevention along with so many adults caring.” Reyes, who grew up in Live Oak, had no chance to play sports until Futsal. He says that he wished he’d had Futsal when he was younger.

Based on the success of Futsal, the Sheriff Activity League has added a new San Francisco Giants Junior Giants Baseball program to begin July 9 at Green Acres School.

“Our motivation for these leagues is to strengthen Live Oak and Soquel by getting kids and community members connected,” stated Elizabeth Schilling, Program Director of Community Bridges Live Oak Family Resource Center. Ms. Schilling has been dubbed by the Giants as a Commissioner for the local program.

Coaches and assistants are still needed for both programs. For more information please call Mauricio Macias at 476-7284, ext. 111.