Soccer Sports Envoys visit the Philippines

Hamilton and Roberts pose with a group of girls in Manila, Philippines with their gold medals.

U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney’s ceremony on May 21, 2007 kicked off a week of soccer clinics, as two American soccer Sports Envoys, Olympic and World Cup gold medallist Tiffany Roberts and World Cup gold medallist Linda Hamilton, conducted drills in Manila, Iloilo, and Bacolod. Ambassador Kenney handed over the first soccer ball to the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to officially begin the clinic.

In a partnership between the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and U.S. Soccer, the Sports Envoys traveled to Philippines for the sports initiative and donated all of the soccer balls used during the clinics to the PFF for distribution to youth programs throughout the country. “This is the sort of community we love to play in, to make friends in, and be part of. Let’s enjoy one of the many things that make the Philippines and United States such close friends – and that is a love of sports” (Ambassador Kenney).

During their visit to the Philippines, Roberts and Hamilton conducted clinics for both boys and girls in Iloilo from May 21-22, in Bacolod from May 22-23, and in Manila on May 24. Philippine National Women’s Team member, Marilou Rubio, traveled with Roberts and Hamilton over the week and assisted with the clinics. In Manila, the entire Philippine National Women’s Team pitched in and helped them run the clinics, even participating in drills with the kids. Sessions for coaches were also held in all three areas. At the end of the week the soccer envoys had reached out to over 500 youth and coaches.

Tiffany Roberts with boys and girls from a soccer clinic after they have received their certificate of participation in Iloilo, Philippines.

The visit was part of the World Cup Soccer Sports Initiative, a unique program that brought 30 youth from 13 countries to the U.S. for a soccer program and on to the World Cup in Germany. The second part of the initiative sends American soccer professionals overseas to hold clinics for both youth and coaches. The program engages youth in a dialogue on the importance of an education, positive health practices and respect for diversity as well as learning soccer skills.

Tiffany Roberts, whose mother was born in the Philippines, said: “We’re very excited about being here. I hope we can be an inspiration to the country and support your football players. When you play soccer, you can be a leader. You can both be inspired and inspire other people.”