A Community Soccer Initiative
Over the weekend, thirty‑eight youngsters gathered on the athletic field of E.A. Hall Middle School in Watsonville to take part in a soccer clinic that blended skill drills with life lessons.
The event was organized by the Central Coast Soccer Clinic and relied on a network of volunteers eager to share their knowledge of the game. Participants left with new T‑shirts, soccer balls and school supplies, tokens of the clinic’s broader mission to support both sport and education.
Voices from the Field
Coach Roy Contreras, one of the lead instructors, spoke about the responsibility of giving back to the community and the joy he finds in watching kids discover the game.
For Coach Jose Lupe Martinez, the clinic was a chance to reflect on how soccer kept him out of trouble and how the sport now offers him a platform to mentor the next generation.
Former Watsonville Mayor Francisco Estrada and El Salvador National Team player Walmer Martinez also took the field, lending their experience and inspiring the youths with stories of perseverance and pride.
The clinic’s reach was amplified by the support of sponsors such as Driscoll’s, BC Media, Pacific Vista Farms, as well as the Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services and the City of Watsonville, each contributing resources that made the day possible.
Beyond the drills, the gathering underscored a simple truth: soccer can be a conduit for positive change, steering young people toward teamwork, discipline and a sense of belonging in their neighborhood.