Evan Newton, the goalie for the Sacramento Republic FC, has been helping coach our Street Soccer USA Sacramento after school soccer program at PS7 Elementary school in Oak Park for the last four weeks. We asked him some questions about his experience with the kids and SSUSA program so far:
How do you like coaching with the SSUSA Sacramento after school program so far?
I really enjoy it, it is a good opportunity to be able to make a small impact on kids in our community. I really like how SSUSA incorporates life skills at every practice that are applicable outside of soccer. I love the aspect of including the kids in the conversations about how they believe soccer skills can transfer to life skills, asking the kids what they think, rather than telling them. I really enjoy being able to hear their perspective and learn about the individuals through their answers because it opens more opportunities to impact their lives
How is coaching with SSUSA different than other teams you have coached for?
It is different because SSUSA is less about coaching and more about spending time with the kids and showing them, showing that someone else cares and that we care about them learning these soccer and life skills. The kids hear us tell them about the “show up” skill and that is important in life to show up, and then they get to see us show up for them consistently and hopefully think to themselves “this guy cares about me, and he is doing the same thing he teaching us.” In the SSUSA space being able to give time and build relationships is more important than the technical portion of the game and I enjoy it because “ I am relationship kind of guy.”
SSUSA uses a Blue Unity card to acknowledge and reward good sportsmanship and respect. This is very different from the traditional yellow and red cards used to acknowledge fouls and a different approach to maintaining fair play. We have seen you give out quite a few blue cards over the last few weeks, how has it been rewarding positive play and behavior?
I have fun with it and I think it is a cool concept. The kids love receiving anything so they also love receiving a blue card, so it is a good concept to help them with wanting to do right so they can receive/earn something positive. Because we present the blue card in a fun and public way, almost as a gift, not only do the kids enjoy earning one, but they also enjoy giving others the blue card and positive praise as well. It empowers them to give and reward each other, as well as show them how to give self-less acts. I have fun with it. If I see a strong demonstration of sportsmanship, I’m going to sprint out there like a referee and make a big deal out of it! And the kids really seem to enjoy it too. It keeps things fun and fresh and creates better engagement.
Anything else that you want to add from your experience thus far?
I think it is a great program and very much needed. It is hard to know what circumstances and maybe challenging situations the kids may be coming from and to be able to connect with them early and teach them success, life skills, and how to work with people is critical. Youth are important and it is a crucial time to instill values while also showing them how to have fun.
Evan also gives of his time to the UC Davis Children’s Hospital and regularly visits children there who may be in need of some cheering up. SSUSA couldn’t be happier to have Evan volunteering with us and sharing his passion for life and game with our youth program participants! Check out this video of Evan teaching dribbling
https://www.facebook.com/ssusaSAC/videos/751572361678101/
Also check out this TV segment of Evan mentioning his volunteer work with us!