Soccer Becoming the New Rez Ball

“In the village growing up, it’s always been about baseball, basketball or softball,” said Mike Ansera, a volunteer soccer coach who grew up in San Felipe.  “Now it’s soccer and it’s become second nature.  No one says, ‘What is soccer?’ Now it’s, ‘Are you going to play soccer?’” Soccer started in San Felipe about five years ago with a vision from PGA golfer Notah Begay III, who is part San Felipe Pueblo and grew up the area. After injuring his back, Begay saw what diabetes and other harmful diseases did to Native people while giving motivational speeches on the reservations.  He decided to start a foundation focusing on decreasing diabetes and obesity in children one starting with his own community.  Begay chose soccer as one of the vehicles because it was a sport he enjoyed playing as a youngster—the game also involves multiple players who have varying skill levels.  In addition, the NB3 Foundation provides programming for youth golf.
The sport continues to grow in San Felipe and has become a communitywide effort—90 percent of the coaches are volunteers from the Pueblo, surprising some who weren’t so sure this no-hands game would take off. “My dad is one of the tribal council members and was a little skeptical about this program but after spending time with the staff and seeing the changes in the kids, especially my kids now that doing well in school and more outgoing, he’s wanting to get more of the family involved,” said Briana Sandoval, who has two kids playing soccer. “I’m even volunteering my own time for the program. “I think the whole community wants to get involved with the program,” she added. “They are noticing the changes and thinking twice about soccer.”