Champions Rise Here Youth Soccer Clinic – October 26, 2019

Ava had the opportunity to attend the Champions Rise Here Youth Soccer Clinic, an amazing and inspiring event. She got to see a few familiar faces such as Kimberley Crabbe, Outreach Program Director with the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC, and Nicole M. Hercules, Owner of NMH Consulting, and train with some amazing people.

“In these clinics, we are bringing our youth, masters of the game, and an experience that will directly connect them with the soccer world. We are bringing a team of people united in our mission to transform our communities with the game of soccer.” Nicole M. Hercules, NMH Consulting.

The event started with everyone getting checked in and getting their free gear. Then they grouped up on the field for introductions. After that, the coaches had the kids split into two groups and they began training and playing games over the next hour. Near the end, all the kids got a red ticket for a prize drawing. I don’t recall the prizes but it may have been NWSL game tickets.

Ava received a (free) Champions Rise Here jersey that she was able to have signed by Shaka Hislop, ESPN Soccer Analyst. Super cool! Plus, Nicole graciously gifted us (and 4 of our closest friends who were also at the clinic) tickets to the NWSL Championship game on October 27, 2019. NC Courage vs Chicago Red Stars!

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Everything about the event was amazing – location, environment, celebrity coaches, free quality gear, etc. We hope to attend more of these clinics in the future! Check out the videos and photos on Ava’s Facebook page. Visit www.championsrisehere.com to learn more about this event and the organization.

Notable Mentions

Kendall Reyes, Anthony James, Local Manager Andre Fortune (the Trini trio), Former NC State and US National Team player Thori Staples Bryan, Off the Bench Founder and Fierce Female Soccer Advocate Earlina Yoder, First African American women to Play on the US Women’s National Team Kim Crabbe, Former NC State and St. Vincent And The Grenadines National Team Player Oronde Ash and ESPN Commentator, Former Howard and Trinidad and Tobago National Team Player Shaka Hislop.

Wrightsville Beach Soccer Camp – Meeting Kim Crabbe
Women’s International Champions Cup
NC Courage vs Orlando Pride