Local U-16 soccer team plans trip of a lifetime

in Hailey last week, the group’s enthusiasm was contagious. Nandy Inga, halfback, said, “I am excited to make memories with my best friends,” and goalie/defense/striker Mateo de la Torre added, “It’s great that I get to go with my closest friends to an amazing place and play the sport we all love.”

During their time in the UK, aside from soccer-based experiences, the coaches also plan to take the team to Chester (“which looks straight out of a Harry Potter movie,” Schwartz said) and to visit a medieval castle. “I told the guys we need to see some really old things,” Schwartz laughed. “We are going to find the oldest castle we can and explore it—hopefully seeing a lot of old armor and other things teenage boys will be excited about!”

Fans at home can keep up with the team during this trip through video updates on their website (www.haileyfootballclub.com). Footage will be shot and uploaded daily so it will be easy to follow the players’ games, training, and adventures.

Paying it Forward

Coach Barrett said that while this is, of course, thrilling for the current team, he knows the players will also pay this experience forward. “This opportunity sends a huge message to other people that if you work hard, set your mind to it, and set lofty goals, there is a possibility for great things to happen,” he explained. “This team is going to come back to Hailey and talk with younger players about their experience and I know they will inspire others to take on challenging things.”

Left back Dominic Seig, who has three little brothers who are also soccer enthusiasts, said he is looking forward to sharing his experience with his family and community and inspiring others to dream big.

Continued from Page 1 be good enough, but it’s still hard to believe that this is happening.”

However, Schwartz could not be clearer that these kids earned this opportunity. “We are a high-level team,” he said, “and in the top five in Idaho. Our players train extremely hard and are committed.” Schwartz attributes the team’s success to a few key factors. “We are a team limited by a two-year age range, not a four-year team,” he said. “This group, for the most part, has been playing together for years and they have grown together and operate well as a group. We also try to mitigate the obstacles that lead athletes to drop a sport, especially as they get older. That includes charging only $199 total to play with the team (exclusive of hotel costs while traveling), finding rides for every player if we are going to Boise, Pocatello, or Salt Lake City, practicing on a field that is easily accessible for most of our players, and turning down tournaments and games that are just too far to be reasonable. We wanted a high-performing team and we wanted to keep these guys together.” He added, “By keeping our cost to play down, we attract a great mix of families, and no one is left out because of financial reasons.”

Jolly Olde England

For some in this close-knit group, this dream opportunity will be the first time they leave the country, and for others, it will be their first time on a plane. During a practice

Barrett said, “I’ve watched little kids turn into a great group of young men. I’ve seen them face adversity, show a lot of grit, and find a place in this team to focus their energy. I’m really proud of them.”

“They earned it. We are all so excited,” Schwartz added. “If you do good things, good things happen.”

Support the Lightning!

This trip for the Lightning is made entirely possible by donated funds. “I cannot leave any player behind and needed to remove any financial obstacle for the players,” Schwartz said. The team has been actively fundraising, and thanks to a recent anonymous matching donation of $25,000, their goal of raising more than $80,000 is in sight. “We are so thankful to those who are supporting us,” Schwartz said. Those interested in helping to send this team to England to represent the Wood River Valley can donate at the team’s website at www.haileyfootballclub. com. Travel, per player, costs upwards of $4,000.

Check out ways to support this great group by sponsoring a player or contributing in any amount.

Wrw Staff

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CONTACT

Wood River Weekly P.O. Box 3483 Hailey, Idaho 83333 (208) 788-4789 woodriverweekly.com

Airport Vicinity Overlay District Public Hearing

On Tuesday, June 06, 2023, the Blaine County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing upstairs in the main meeting room in the Old County Courthouse located at 206 First Ave. So., in Hailey. Its agenda includes: 1:30 pm ACTION ITEM: Title 9 Zoning Regulations Text and Map Amendments related to Airport Vicinity Overlay District: Public hearing on and consideration of county-initiated text amendments to Blaine County Code, Title 9, Zoning Regulations, Chapter 18, Airport Vicinity Overlay District (AV) and also amending the Airport Overlay District Map boundaries (Chapter 4). The P&Z Commission recommended approval on March 2, 2023.

Information is available at the Land Use Office 788-5570 and on the Blaine County website www.blainecounty.org. Public comment including name and place of residence may be mailed to the Land Use Office, 219 1st Avenue South, Suite 208, Hailey, Idaho 83333, or emailed to pzcounter@co.blaine.id.us.

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