April 6, 2015 at 2:24 p.m.
Hodags vs. The World halfway to fundraising goal
Youth girls' soccer team planning trip to UK in August
Hodags vs. The World halfway to fundraising goal
The Hodags vs. The World group, a combination of U12, U14 and U16 players from the Rhinelander Soccer Club has raised approximately $15,000 so far. That's about half of what it needs to make the trip, which will feature friendly competitions with secondary schools in the United Kingdom, a reality.
"We've put our down payment, we've reserved our tickets on the plane, we paid the 20 percent on the hostel where we're staying," said coach and trip organizer Chris Frederickson. "We have probably one-third of the itinerary set so we know what game we'll be playing where.
It's an exciting time for the group according to fellow coach, and Frederickson's wife, Kim Frederickson.
"As plans start to come together with England, as that all starts to come together, that really builds excitement with everybody too," she said. "As it gets closer, I think that feeling starts to come out a little bit more. Yeah, this is really going to happen and these are the things that we're going to get to do and we're going to make this a reality. I think that's cool."
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Some of the girls on this team are already busy sharpening their games as members of the Rhinelander High School girls' soccer team. Coach Dan Millot said the girls who plan to make the trip will not only be representing Rhinelander, but the United States as a whole.
"As young girls in this country, they're afforded a wonderful opportunity because of what has happened before them - all the women that have come before," he said. "I know they don't know these names, but Billie Jean King way back when, and what they call the 99ers (the 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team) with Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers and Brandi Chastian, that group when it comes to the women's game and what the women did to promote the game of soccer in this country. Girls have a much better opportunity in this country than they do in most other countries in the world."
Chris Frederickson said the group is in the process of establishing pen pals with some of the schools they intend to play during the series and that the international component of the trip is beginning to sink in.
"It really brings the reality of it being an international event together," he said. "We're there representing the United States. The focus on our girls is to step up to the plate. We're there to represent Rhinelander and the United States against their schools."
Frederickson said one new item to the itinerary for the trip is a jaunt to Liverpool on England's southern shore to train with Everton Football Club's women's team. Everton has one noteworthy American connection as the club home of U.S. Men's National Team keeper Tim Howard.
"We actually get train with them on the field one day, with their coach. That's pretty special. We've been invited to do that and that's cool," he noted.
In this journey to get the financial backing to make the trip, the group has put together several fund-raising efforts including bounce house parties, Christmas gift wrapping, a cake auction and a formal social gathering.
"It's been nice watching our community kind of build behind us and support us as we go, and even more and more and more support as we are doing different things throughout the community to continually get that support," Kim Frederickson said. "That's been kind of a neat thing for me to see - a smaller community with big support for that things that we're doing, I think that's pretty cool."
Additionally, the group has been on both ends of some quality coaching. During the winter break collegiate soccer players with ties to the Northwoods - Hope Lundberg, Katelyn Krug and Caitlin Riley - held open soccer sessions with the group. Last month the team had a chance to pay its knowledge forward as it hosted a clinic for youth soccer players at the U6 through U14 levels.
Chris Frederickson said the group has bought in to the process.
"When it's time to shift to business, they really do it and take care of business," he said. "That's really a mature attitude for a group that started out, when I go back to the U10 (level), dancing around the field. ... Now when they actually shift to business, they really shift to business. Which, as a parent, I'm proud. As a coach, I'm proud. The other parents, they're proud watching their daughters grow up and really take ownership of something."
The group still has some big fundraisers planned, including a performance by the band "Mr. Boyko" April 25 at the Woodpecker Bar and Grill and a event with Wilderness Cruises June 5.
"We'll also have some car washes, thrift sales, a coffee sale on our Facebook page," Chris Frederickson added. "We'll be seeking some personal donations that buy into what we're doing."
While not at its goal yet, Frederickson said the group is encouraged by the progress it has made so far.
"Yeah I have confidence that it's going to happen, but it's not a guarantee," he said. "We still have to put in the work and we still have to have the passion for it, which is the slick part. It teaches them that you start are investing, until that very last moment you are working for something. That's kind of a key to life."
Millot said for those planning to go on the trip, it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"In the effort to give yourself an opportunity, in my opinion, to expand your horizons - open your mind and world a little bit by seeing different cultures," he said. "Especially when it comes to the sport of soccer, you're going to the birthplace of the game. To see how much its embedded into the European culture, these girls are going to have their eyes opened."
More information about Hodags vs. The World may be found on the group's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hodagsvstheworld).
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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