January 13, 2012 at 3:06 p.m.
Just for kicks
Area kids heading to Florida for world soccer tournament
Just for kicks
The Hodags U12 soccer team is in Orlando, Fla. today through Monday for the Kick It 3v3 Soccer World Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The group of 10 and 11 year olds includes Willie Francis, Hunter Hicks, Jonus Sabani, Matthew Von Oepen and Freddie Wisner. They have all been playing soccer since the age of four or five and have found a way to keep playing, even in the winter.
"We try to play all year round and we'll find a place (to play) anywhere we can," coach Tony Sabani said.
That passion for the game led to the formation of an indoor team. Needing a place to practice, the group turned to the YMCA of the Northwoods, who Sabani thanked for the use of their facility. The group has played in several tournaments in the area over the last couple years, winning tournaments around the state.
Many of these tournaments take place in gymnasiums and fieldhouses, areas much smaller than standard soccer pitches, so the rules have been adjusted. The games typically feature a smaller amount of players, no goalies and smaller goals.
"It's a lot quicker, you get a lot more touches on the ball than you do on a big field," Francis said, explaining the differences between the indoor game and the game most of us are accustom to seeing. "Plus, there's only three people and on a main field there is usually 11."
"It's an amazing experience," added Jonus Sabani. "I just love it, just playing with my friends, passing and shooting."
The Hodags have excelled in this format, winning tournament after tournament. Since December, the team has won invitationals in Stevens Point, Wausau and De Pere.
"We had to go through the regionals to quailfy for the (tournament)," coach Sabani said. "We haven't lost any game in Wisconsin for two years."
The team will take part in the Male Open 2001 division in Orlando against one of the largest fields in the tournament. Rhinelander's division consists of 25 teams. The Hodags will enter as the 22nd seed based on Kick It's points system.
Rhinelander will face Pride F.C. Chivas of Missouri at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the Ohio-based Triple Cats at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Dynamite out of Florida at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. If the team finishes in the top two in its pool, it will advance to the championship bracket.
The team thinks it will do well at the event, despite having a lower seed.
"Yes we are excited," Hicks said. "We hope to bring back first, second or third."
"I like to be challenged," coach Sabani added. "They have an advantage there in Florida and the south because they play year all year round. They play more than we do, so we'll see. I feeling very confident."
For the kids it is not all about soccer. Getting out of Wisconsin for a few days and missing some school excites Francis.
"I know it's going to be very hot down there," he said. "We are going to enjoy it a lot. It's going to be an amazing expereince for us 10 and 11 years olds. Most people don't get to do that. I got to leave school (Wednesday) at 11 o'clock. I get to miss school for a whole week, so (my friends) are pretty jealous."
And of course for a kid a trip to Orlando would not be complete with out a chance to see Mickey Mouse and friends.
"It's going to be fun. My sister and some of her friends are coming. They are going to go to Disney World and I'm going to bug them," Van Oepen said.
Though they wear the name Rhinelander on their jerseys, this youth soccer team is open to any kids in the area that want to play in the winter. The team typically practices Wednesdays and Fridays at the YMCA of the Northwoods and their season goes from Thanksgiving through the end of March.
Those wanting more information on the program can contact Phil Von Oepen at (715) 282-6350 or email [email protected].
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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