SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose Earthquakes defender Jamil Roberts visited Dovehill Elementary School on Wednesday, Sept. 30 as part of the Amway Global Kicks for Kids Program. Roberts was first introduced to the students by teacher Jan Bertron and was welcomed with overwhelming cheers and applause.
The Fremont native stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle had on his life growing up. As a child playing multiple sports, Roberts explained to the children how the choices he made to eat healthy foods helped him achieve his goal of becoming a professional soccer player. The crowd consisted of very committed soccer fans, and the children were very interested in learning Roberts' eating habits in hopes to be more like him. He spoke about how small choices like choosing the right types of breakfast foods can go a long way and emphasized drinking water over soda.
After Roberts finished speaking, he called some children up to juggle with him as he showed off his ball control skills. He then opened the floor to a question and answer session. The children had a lot of soccer and Earthquakes knowledge and asked Roberts many questions about Roberts' life both on and off the field.
To conclude the afternoon, the midfielder signed player cards and Earthquakes staff handed out over 150 jersey replica shirts and 150 tickets, donated by Amway Global, to the students to attend the Earthquakes next home game on Oct. 3 at 8:00 p.m. PT against the New York Red Bulls 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 prior to the Quakes game on Oct. 7 against FC Dallas at Buck Shaw Stadium.
