Ateneo booters 6 & under see action during the Kadayawan Fest at the Tionko Field last Satuday, August 22.. (l-r) Reino Martin Swan, Brylle Juris Carillo, Zane Garfin, Shan Tranquillan, Balahay, Clark Catolinan and Gabby Cuevas.
The Ateneo de Davao University has become popular not only for producing academic scholars, but also for producing top-notch football players who are making a name for themselves not only in the Philippines but in Europe as well.
Just recently, the Ateneo de Davao booters came back from Europe after joining the world’s most prestigious youth football tournament, the Gothia Youth World Cup, where they represented the Makati Football Club and the Philippine Team.
This time, the Jesuit school is starting them young by fielding representatives six years and under to the Kadayawan Football Festival held at the Tionko Field Saturday, August 22, 2009.
“The regular players are usually 14 and under, 12 and under and 8 and under but we are encouraging young players in the 6 and under category to participate in the sports development to prepare them early for the sports,’ Ateneo de Davao University Grade School Coach Nonoy Garfin said. Coach Lance Borromeo supervises the coaching of the 6 & under players.
He said keeping the children in the fields and into sports is one way of making sure they grow up to be A
disciplined individuals and productive members of society. At the Ateneo, he added, even Pre-schoolers and Grade 1 students who are interested in the sports undergo regular football training as part of their overall development.
The Ateneo 6 and under football players were composed of three teams namely the Footballers, Kickers and Fighters. The Ateneo 6 and under players competed with 6 and under football player from other schools like Southpoint and Sakya.
