It’s not every day that an aspiring, young soccer player can say they learned from some of the best. On Wednesday, the Portland Timbers and Manchester City’s community program, “City in the Community,” teamed up to hold a special event and soccer clinic for dozens of local youth.
Joined by Timbers players, Manchester City players and the staff of City in the Community made a special impact on the Portland community while the club visits the Rose City during a preseason tour of the United States, preparing for the upcoming season and an exhibition match Saturday against the Timbers at Merlo Field.
“It’s not just about the football club and the team going to play matches,” said
Alex Williams
, MBE, executive manager of City In the Community. “It is a lot more than that. It’s getting the football club involved in the community. We are going to go to New York next week and then on to Atlanta and Baltimore, and we are going to do exactly the same there.”
Recognized around the world, Manchester City was one of top teams in England’s Premier League last season and is known for its success and work on the pitch. But, much like the Timbers, Manchester City’s efforts off the field is one of the cornerstones of the club. City In the Community puts the same passion and energy into their outreach both locally and the communities they visit across the globe.
“Well it’s great. Manchester City Football Club has been great to me personally, from my football playing days as a goalkeeper in the ‘80s to my current position,” said Williams. “I was given a great opportunity by a great football club and we hope that around the world we can do that for others.”
Spending the afternoon working hand-in-hand with Manchester City was not just a special opportunity for the kids. Forward
Doug DeMartin
was one of several Timbers players who dedicated their time to working alongside City In the Community at the youth clinic, held in partnership with Nike and Umbro.
“It’s kind of fun just to hear it and talk about it to be honest,” said DeMartin. “Man City is such a great club and an historic club. It was a great opportunity for us and a great opportunity for the kids, and that’s what’s most important. I never had an opportunity like this when I was young, that’s for sure.”
Two clubs from different parts of the world worked together to help inspire. Through a variety of drills, exercises and games, children from the Boys & Girls Club of Portland learned both the fundamentals and the finer points of the sport of soccer from professional coaches and players. But, perhaps one of the greatest lessons taught, and displayed, on Wednesday was to simply enjoy playing the game.
Click here to view a video of the event, courtesy of Manchester City Football Club.
