SAN JOSE, Calif. - Earthquakes Forward Cam Weaver visited The San Francisco 49ers Academy Tuesday as part of the Amway Global Kicks for Kids Program. Weaver was first introduced to the students by Academy Executive Director Michele Sharkey and was welcomed with cheers and chants.
The Seattle native stressed the impact that a healthy diet and active lifestyle had on his life and development. He informed the children of how playing sports kept him focused on all the right things growing up including school and staying out of trouble which helped him achieve his goal of becoming a professional athlete. The children also had an important State test coming up next week for which, Weaver was able to leave them with a few tips on proper rest and what to eat to best prepare themselves for such a test.
After Weaver finished his speech, he opened the floor to a question and answer session. The questions first started out very light-hearted, asking him about his tattoo and if he liked it here in San Jose etc. The questions soon got much deeper and children began asking him about how sports kept him out of trouble and asked him how hard he worked and what it took to reach his dream. After the meaningful Q&A, Weaver had two volunteers join him on stage to perform soccer tricks. The two students performed their best tricks for the crowd and then played a competition game with Weaver.
To conclude the afternoon, Weaver signed player cards and Earthquakes staff handed out over 150 jersey replica shirts and 300 tickets donated by Amway Global to the students to attend the Earthquakes next home game on May 2 at 7:30 PM PT against Chivas USA at Buck Shaw Stadium.
The Earthquakes and Amway Global teamed up to create the Amway Global Kicks for Kids program in 2009. Through the program, Earthquakes players will visit 15 schools or community centers in the Bay Area to discuss the importance of being active and living a healthy lifestyle. The next school visit will take place on Wednesday, May 13.
