WRAL Soccer Center Fields have CHANGED
Please be aware that the WRAL Soccer Center fields have changed. CASL has rotated Harris Teeter and Newcomb and Company Fields so there are two new additional grass fields as you exit the park on the right. As a result, field numbers have changed. New sponsors have come on board with CASL, so field names may also be different than you are used to. For example, ARS / Rescue Rooter Field is now the first turf field on your right (formerly Peace Camera & Nikon - which has been moved around the corner to a grass field). So, please, get familiar with the latest WRAL Soccer Center field game map and practice map. Both links are provided here.
Turf Field Construction & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Of course, many of you are aware of the turf field changes already under way. The turf fields (soon to be new sponsors Powerade and Daly Seven Hotels fields) will be open in September. However, we will be holding a Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Sunday at 3pm. This will be in conjunction with the CASL Kick-Off which runs from 3pm - 6pm. The Ribbon Cutting will be on Eurosport field with the new construction as the backdrop. Mayor Nancy MacFarlane, City Councilor John Odom, and many others will be on hand to help with the soft opening of the fields. Our very own Charlie Slagle will be speaking on behalf of CASL. Following the Ribbon Cutting will be the first in a series of CASL Connection (town-hall) meetings where we will discuss the latest updates from CASL and provide opportunities for you to provide input and ask questions.
Timeline for Sunday, August 18 - CASL Kick-Off and Ribbon Cutting
3:00pm CASL Kick-Off Begins
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
4:30pm: CASL Connection Town-Hall meeting (same location as ribbon cutting)
6:00pm CASL Kick-Off Ends
*Coaches will be able to pick up their Recreation and Challenge team packets from 3-6pm. All are welcome to attend and enjoy sponsor exhibits, watch the ribbon cutting, be part of the CASL Connection Meeting, and play small-sided games on fields set-up for soccer fun!*
Haven House and HEART Hold First Practice
I experienced my first CASL Community Outreach volunteer experience this Saturday, and it was a great way to start off my weekend. The first hour (8:30-9:30am) was a practice session run for youth who are part of Haven House Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. Haven House has been providing comprehensive services to youth and their families since the 1970s. They are a well-established non-profit who are always looking for positive outlets for youth in their programs. This particular programs is open for those youth who have an interest in learning more about the game of soccer - kids ranged in age from 6 to 15. I helped with the younger kids, where we started doing dribbling relays. Lindsay Vera, Marketing and Special Projects Manager at CASL, took all the kids through skills relay races - normal dribbling and sole roles. The kids, although already hot by 8:45am, were eager and excited to play.
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| Haven House |
The second session was reserved for CASL's HEART team. HEART serves youth with an interest in
learning the game of soccer who have an intellectual disability. There were close to 30 youth and young adults who came to kick off the season. I met some wonderful people and their families. You could tell that the players were excited to be reunited as well. Grace and Michael, two HEART athletes, were hugging and screaming because they were so excited to be back together on the soccer field. Laney and Mia, both dressed in their pink soccer socks, were both a little timid as they were waiting in line for their chance to go 1 v 1. But, as I engaged them in a few side passing drills, they both opened up and were giving high-fives all-around. During the scrimmage, I buddied up with a young girl named Bella - probably the happiest person I've met in a long time. She held my hand as we learned how to spread the field, call for the ball, and run up and down the field. Now at the beginning of the session, Bella, too, was a little shy about stepping out on the field with so many HEART players. However, about half way through, she was ready to "gallop" out of her shell and around the field. Every goal scored during the day received cheers from both teams and parents who were there supporting their kids.
I really encourage each of you to take 2 hours out of your Saturday morning and volunteer for this session. The next combination of Haven House/HEART clinics will be on August 24th from 8:30-10:30am at Davis Drive Park in Cary. It is truly rewarding and fun. If you are a high school student who needs community service hours, this is a great way to get your required hours but making it not feel like a requirement. A lot of credit goes to Martin Rodriguez-Arispe who has grown CASL's community outreach program in a short time to have an impact on many different underserved populations. For more information or to volunteer, contact Martin Rodriguez-Arispe.
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