#D3Week: Men's Soccer helps open local Futsal Court

Story written and posted by Anthony Perry, Rivier University Sports Information Director

NASHUA, N.H. – NCAA Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every NCAA Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement.

Today we are highlighting a Community Service project that our Men’s Soccer program developed and accomplished last summer. Along with the support of the Nashua Police Athletic League, the team was able to earn the vote of the community to build a Futsal Court in the “Tree Streets” neighborhood of our community.

The story as it appeared in the Fall 2019 edition of “Rivier Today”:

Several members of the Rivier Men’s Soccer Team volunteer their time at the Nashua Police Athletic League (PAL). Cam Holdsworth ’20 has been volunteering at PAL since his sophomore year. Cam, along with Ramon Bonfante ’20, Zach Pontarelli ’20, and Mike Frederico ’21 serve as mentors and role models to the children at PAL’s after-school program.

"The kids get really excited when we're there … We help them with homework, personal things, or just play,” says Cam. When the opportunity arose to support their mentees with a sports-related project—creation of a futsal court—Cam and his teammates were quick to provide assistance. “From being figures in their lives over the years, help with the Futsal Court Project just spiraled out.”

The project was initiated in response to a new urban revitalization program, titled ‘The Tree Streets Neighborhood Project’, which offered $25,000 in funds for a community-based proposal. The program focuses on enhancing the densely populated neighborhoods between St. Joseph Hospital and Main Street. Residents of Nashua’s tree streets were invited to submit project ideas, which were then publicized and voted on in the city’s ‘YOUR Voice, YOUR Choice!’ initiative.

Eight-year-old Hector of Nashua proposed a futsal court be built in the open lot across from the Nashua PAL building on Ash Street. Futsal is a sport similar to soccer, but faster paced and played on a much smaller, paved court. The Futsal Court Project made it to the voting list and support poured in. Rivier volunteers helped spread the word and solicited votes. “Rivier’s sports teams, interns, service learners, and their friends helped get a lot of votes,” says Jaela Solis, PAL Program Coordinator.

Rivier Men’s Soccer Coach Hayden Barbosa, Cam Holdsworth, and Raider soccer alumnus Sam Holdsworth ’19 are coaches for the Nashua International Soccer Club, a non-profit youth soccer club that fosters sportsmanship and character mentorship. They came onboard as well, rallying Club members to support the voting effort and offering free soccer clinics in anticipation of a favorable outcome.

When the votes were tallied, the Futsal Court Project had won by a healthy margin and construction began almost immediately. On September 28, the community and partners celebrated the Futsal Court opening, and the court receives daily use now.

“To watch it evolve and see the kids playing is amazing,” shares Jaela. “It’s not just the kids who live on these few streets. In the evening, cars of families pull up. The moms are sitting in the cars, the dads are getting out, the uncles and dads are hugging everybody … more cars pull up … there’s handshaking and fist-pumping … and then there’s 30 guys on the court just playing. Most are PAL alumni and their family members; some are new people who have come into the community that the kids have invited.”

With Nashua PAL staff, Rivier mentors, and the Futsal Court as daily inspiration, PAL kids are already fielding ideas for next year’s Tree Streets Neighborhood Project.