Immokalee Soccer Team Seeking Support for Three-Day Texas Tournament

On May 22, 18 U15 soccer players, three coaches and 10 parent chaperones will load into one van and four cars for a 19-hour drive, covering 1,267 miles through five states, from Immokalee, Florida to Plano, Texas. As the champions in Florida’s Commissioners league, the Immokalee team will represent the state of Florida in the Texas Super Cup. While local fundraising and sponsorship support has been enthusiastic, to make the trip, an additional $10,000 is still needed to cover food, gas, overnight accommodations, and other expenses for the five-day trip.

What started in 2007 as a group of 35 friends playing soccer in Farm Worker Village in Immokalee has evolved into a soccer club with nearly 600 participants each year. Both sports skills and academics are emphasized, requiring every middle and high school student who wants to play with an Immokalee Soccer Pit team must maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Every high school player is encouraged to continue their education after high school by enrolling in a college or university, certificate program, trade school, or the armed forces.

“Many kids in Immokalee aren’t exposed to a lot,” said Manny Touron, Executive Director and a coach of the Soccer Pit organization. “A trip to Coastland Center in Naples or Edison Mall in Fort Myers is considered a big trip. I want to give them experiences that will motivate them and that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. I know from previous experience taking teams to New York and Texas, these trips can change kids’ lives.”

Touron and his coaches work with players to instill in them the major tenets of the Club’s mission: teamwork, scholarship, and leadership. “I have a lot of hope that on this trip, these kids will not only play well as a team, but will see other cities and states, dine in restaurants, and have other experiences that elevate their interest in exploring other places, gain confidence in themselves, and get them on a path to realize their full potential.”

If you wish to support the Immokalee Soccer Pit Cobra championship team’s trip to Texas, contributions can be made online at https://www.soccerpitcobras.com/donation/

Or send a check to The Immokalee Soccer Pit Youth Athletic Club, Inc., 16945 Villas Square, Fort Myers, FL 33908

For additional information, visit https://www.soccerpitcobras.com/ or call 239.877.7135.

A registered 501 C 3, The Soccer Pit is an all-volunteer organization. No coaches, board members or administrators receive compensation.