The air smells like a championship…. along with a bit of pollen as well.  There are all kinds of soccer events over the next few weeks.  We have an incredible number of HFC players involved with their high school play offs as well as the younger groups headed to the State Championships.  Good luck to everyone and represent us well!  

In preparation for tryouts, we have two sets of activities taking place later in the month.  Our U12 teams transitioning to the U13 game, which is 11v11 soccer or as we like to say – the BIG game, will be provided training and an 11v11 tournament opportunity after the state tournament.  For several years now, players have enjoyed the DOC camp at the end of May.  This camp is designed to work with our Directors on technical skills leading into the tryout periods.  There is NO fitness but lots of fun, learning, and entertainment for the campers.

Yes, tryouts are right around the corner!  We have posted the mandatory preseason camp schedule on line for your summer planning.  Coaching assignments and team formation information will be available on line immediately after state cup.   Good luck to everyone with their upcoming games!
See you on the pitch

General Manager and DOCO, Huntsville FC

Thoughts from the GM
Congrats to Coach
Tryouts
Words of Thanks
Player Kudos
U12 to U13 Transition
Spring Classic Winners
Pete's Soccer Shop
Upcoming Events


April Issue
www.huntsvillefc.org

Congratulations to Coach James Ssemambo for recently earning his USSF B License.  This license is the second highest license possible and provides for a rigorous set of coursework and field work to earn this honor.  Coach James will now be able to share with other coaches and most of all, further impact the successful development of our HFC players!

To ALL the soccer community, Friends, and Well-wishers,

I’ve been trying to find a way to communicate best to you all about my trip to Uganda and to find the best words to say thanks to you all.

First of all, you all are my heroes. The help you gave me in an effort to bring a little light to my dad and brother’s lives will never be forgotten and I’m in debt to you all. There is no way I could have managed to do as much as what has already been done thus far. Today my dad and brother are both in separate apartments sleeping in a much cleaner environment and also my dad’s house is getting a major make over. All the updates with pictures can be found under the “Hearts for Henry” Facebook page.

Also, as of today both my dad and brother are able to eat more than once a day and I have no doubt that in their own way of understanding things, they know that people out there miles away do care and also that they are still humans and are still loved.

To keep it short, I really thank God that he gave me a chance to travel back home after over 18 years. I’m not sure of what I would have found if I had waited a couple more weeks or months to make the trip. Pure filth is the only word that I can find to use to describe the kind of environment my sick brother and dad were in living in. It was way more than I could handle and it was very tough to see loved ones in that kind of condition. It must have been so confusing for them. These are two special need humans that were left to basically be on their own in a very tough life…! The hurt that was in their eyes you could just feel it! It was some experience that I will never forget and don’t want to ever forget for sure. Because of your help, I saw my brother’s smile when I took him to stay at the safe hotel with me… My dad always cried every time he saw me but before I left, my dad smiled for the first time and I’m sure that he realized that for once, someone was on his side and that someone actually did care about him.

My goal now is to find a way to get the house where I was born at (where my brother was staying) and my dad’s house and pit-latrine fixed. I feel like if they have a clean and safe place to sleep, the rest of the basic life needs can be taken care of as time goes on. 

Both of those tasks I’m beginning to realize that they are costly BUT worth every penny I can find and every drop of sweat that comes out of me. This has changed my whole perspective about life in a big way. I feel like now I have a bigger purpose than before. With your help, I have so far been able to really change the way my dad and brother live and the people on the village of Lyamutudwe are also very happy to see that my dad and brother are being finally cared for. Thanks you all so much for allowing me to be able to do just that… I wish there was a way I could pay you all back but please know that I really appreciate you all very much and I just pray that the Big Man upstairs blesses you even more!

I would like to also mention that my work has just started. Please, there are still many needs that have not been met and I could still use your help in order to get my two special need loved ones to a better place and hopefully be able to help more after that. The task at hand is huge and very much so beyond my means but will do whatever it takes to carry on with you help and prayers.  I will be publishing information on a foundation, which will be able to accept donations in the form of money and/or clothing, shoes, etc. 

Uganda is a very beautiful country with very hard working people but a lot of people are suffering and living in really bad situation. It is hard to really realize how BLESSED we ALL are to call USA home until when you go out there and see how life is for other people!  God really loves us big time here and we should never forget to always thank Him for that!

I would also like to mention that I will be planning to make another trip back to Uganda early next year. My dad especially needs to be cared for ALL the time due to his mental illness.  It is tough to make things move the way they should when you are miles away.

God Bless,
Coach Henry Mpagi
Email: Henry@huntsvillefc.org

Avery Batson will be  attending the  U14 Girls National Team Camp Sunday, May 27 to Sunday, June 3     Avery has been identified as one of the top players in  her age group and is among ONLY the top 48 U14 players in the USA invited to the U14 Girl’s National Team Camp. The next camp will be August 19-26, 2012 again in Carson, CA where they will invite the top 36 from that group… The last camp will be October 14-21, 2012 again in Carson, CA. At this level everything is paid for from travel to Nike apparel (Cleats, Runners shoes, Backpack, Polo…etc…)  One of the key quotes from the director of the youth program was that; “ Your journey with our National Team’s program has begun, your commitment to continually improve your game will determine your destination.” That is huge and all our prayers and support will be with Avery as she grows in this beautiful game!   Avery Batson has been invited back for a third session to the National Team Training Center May 16 in Atlanta.

Zach Wroblewski LR: Sister Sarah, Mother Maura, Zach & Father Ron Berry College