Vamos Equipo!
On March 29th, Ocracoke’s futbol (soccer) team played in a tournament against four other teams on Hatteras. They were triumphant, of course, bringing home a big trophy and a $600 cash prize.
With 15 guys on the team, that amounted to winnings of $40 each. Rather than spend it on themselves, the players decided to add $60 (or a little more) each, which brought the total up to $1567 – a wonderful donation for the soon-to-be ball field.
Recently, they got together with Bob Toth to make a formal presentation of the money. Bob is on the Ocracoke Youth Center board, which is the non-profit entity creating the Community Park and building the field of dreams.
“This is what’s going to make it happen, the whole community coming together,” Bob said about the jugadores del equipo’s donation.
Bob says the ball field project has gotten local support from the outset. “It’s going to be a reality because of gestures like this,” he added.
Ocracoke’s Hispanic community is an important part of that local support.
“They come here, get jobs, and become so much a part of the community on the island,” Bob said. “They’ve donated their time at the ball field, and they help the school and daycare with food fundraisers, wherever they’re needed. They’ve earned respect.”
The team’s donation is very generous – and they also understand that the Community Park will include a soccer field. The guys are really looking forward to playing on it.
“We decided to donate the money because when we get the field, everyone can use it,” said David Perez.
“Most of us are going to have kids in the school,” said Gustavo Trejo. “And we want them to have the field.”
“We are excited for our kids to have a place to play,” said Javier, who never played futbol back in Mexico. He’s a beginner on the Ocracoke team. “I have a trophy that says Best Rookie,” he said.
Bob was happy to tell the futbolistas that OYC president Vince O’Neal had just purchased soccer goals, as well as bases and a homeplate in anticipation of the field, which should be complete later this summer.
The futbol players are dedicated to their sport, playing every week, weather permitting. They started a few years ago playing casual games at the back of the school. Moving to the empty field next to the Park Service campground gave them room to run. Former Ranger Kenny Ballance granted official permission to use the NPS property, as long as they didn’t play in the rain and tear up the grass. Sometimes they get spectators wandering over from the campground, and occasionally a camper or two will join in the game.
A league of five teams plays in Buxton. Ocracoke’s team (called “Portugal” because they like the Portugal national team’s uniforms, and had similar uniforms sent from Mexico) competed under the leadership of coach Eduardo Cardenes and captain Rodrigo Perez. They beat all the others (Vamos equipo! Go, team!) in a double-elimination tournament. Each team paid a subscription of $250 to be in the tournament, plus they ponied up each week to help pay for refs.
Although all the official team members are Hispanic, as are all the players in the Hatteras league, the open gym nights at Ocracoke School on most Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays (around 8pm) are more diverse. Matt DeVan, Peter Williams, Nathan Modlin, and Isaac Modlin are regulars, too. Other players from the Hispanic community join in for fun. All are welcome!
Captain Rodrigo is confident about the team’s future.
“We’re going to donate the prize again next year,” he said.
The team members are Rodrigo Perez, Reinaldo Resendiz, Efren Sanchez, David Perez, Luiz Ramirez, Javier Ibarra, Mario Escobar, Salomon Cobos, Antonio Contreras, Beto Garcia, Manuel Garcia, Victor Morales, Arturo Dias, Gustavo Trejo, and Victor Mendez. Thank them when you see them!
