Rancho Sante Fe Soccer News:  RSF ACADEMY's Green Fire Team Celebrates Season

The young boys on the Rancho Santa Fe Academy soccer team may never have won a game, but they know to celebrate what they have learned throughout the season.

RSF Academy's GREEN FIRE BU8 team of young soccer players, ranged in ages from 6 to 8 years old, was coached this 2010 season by soccer expert Todd Hunsaker.   

The Green Fire team played in the U8 division of RSF recreational soccer and was the youngest team in their bracket.  Most of the boys on the team were 6 years old and while the team never experienced the joys of winning, the boys learned the fundamentals of soccer and the joys of being on a team. 

According to the team captain, Aaron Benedek, "The best thing about the season was being on the team.  Being a part of a team is great."

The team first hit the soccer field on Saturday, September 11th.  Even in the very beginning, the team showed off their developing soccer skills and knew the proper formation. Coach Hunsaker's positive, can do approach, brought out the best in the boys and showed the boys how to enjoy the game of soccer without ever winning a match.  "This was a great introduction to soccer for many of these boys and next season the players can go on and win, when they play against boys their own age!" 

"The team has spirit and showed great determination throughout the season," according to the Team Manager Diana Benedek, who continued with "And, it was great to have both my boys on the soccer field at the same time!"

Assistant Coach Francois Benedek enjoyed working with the aspiring soccer players, and especially his younger brother Aaron.

"It has been a tough season with a lot of great opportunities for learning and developing character.  Team sports is not about winning or losing, but how you play the game and what skills you can develop," says Coach Hunsaker.  "I am very, very proud of all my boys and my assistant coaches did a great job.  All the boys worked hard to improve their skills and we had a lot of fun."

At the end of season team party, the boys all received their soccer trophies and were gleeful as their names were called out and each player heard their coach say something special.  As the party continued, the parents all could be heard complimenting the coach and hoping that their son would get him next year.  It is unusual for parents to constantly compliment any coach, especially in a losing season.  Hunsaker is amazingly popular with the players and parents, always being patient, tender and encouraging while maintaining high standards and asking each player to do his best.  The parents all recognized his talents and appreciated his dedication.

Hunsaker says "I love the game of soccer.  This was a great opportunity for these young players to learn the proper techniques and basic skill development.  Being on a soccer team is a great experience and I looked forward every practice and game.  I hope I was able to share my love of soccer with these young players.  Winning isn't the focus of Academy soccer, getting out there, learning and playing is the real goal.  I wanted the boys to develop and have a great time, and they did." 

Learning how to play soccer takes more than one season of recreational soccer – How long time does it take actually?  It can take a lifetime.  The Green Fire team had a positive introduction to the greatest sport in the world and hopefully the players will enjoy a lifetime of passion with the game!

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