(October 8, 2007) - The Kansas City Wizards announced today that they will host a free clinic for select Kansas City youth Tuesday from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the team's Swope Park Training Center at 63rd and Lewis. Several community groups that include children ages 8 - 18 have been invited to the clinic scheduled to be run by eight members of the Wizards, including Technical Director Peter Vermes and Head Coach Curt Onalfo.
"The Wizards are committed to serving the youth of Kansas City through programs like Tuesday's clinic," Executive Vice President Greg Cotton said. "Our players and staff are great with young people. Many children will remember Tuesday night for the rest of their lives."
Between 200 and 300 kids from Liga International Northeast, who get together and play soccer after school and on weekends, will participate in the clinic.
"We're always fighting for these kids to gain some resources and create opportunities for them. Anything to keep them off the streets, keep them busy after school and on the weekends with a foundation around the sport of soccer," said Alvaro Galindo, Liga International Northeast of Kansas City. "Rich or poor, they all deserve an opportunity to compete. What the Wizards are doing here at a grassroots level is much needed. We are glad to be a part."
Also, children from the Guadalupe Center, Mattie Rhodes, A Todos Deportes and IberoLatina, Liga Torneo de los Barros, Community LINC and KC YouthNet are invited. Participants will receive Wizards posters and hats following the clinic.
Wizards players scheduled to participate include defender Jack Jewsbury, midfielder Davy Arnaud, defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr., midfielder Kurt Morsink, midfielder Eloy Colombano, midfielder Edson Elcock, Head Coach Curt Onalfo and Technical Director Peter Vermes. Players will sign autographs for participants after the event.
