The soccer program at N.C . State will host a three-vs.-three soccer tournament on Sat., April 28, at the newly constructed practice facilities located on Morrill Drive.
All proceeds from the tournament will go to Grassroot Soccer, an international nonprofit organization that uses soccer as a means to save lives by preventing the spread of HIV in Africa.
Grassroot Soccer is present in as many as 10 different African countries, including South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It provides local soccer coaches training to equip young people with the know-how, skills and support in order to avoid HIV.
Casey Kilburn , a senior in parks, recreation and tourism management, has been active in the organization of the tournament at State.
“It started back in 2002 and it was developed by professional players in Zimbabwe and one of their friends on the national team passed away from AIDS,” Kilburn said. “In his funeral, he was this huge icon in Zimbabwe and no one would even speak about the fact that he had AIDS. They just said he was sick and he passed away from that and then they realized how important this epidemic is in southern Africa and they really wanted to do something.
“They decided to use the international language of soccer to break down the barriers and being able to reach those most in need. They basically used the power of soccer to fight HIV and AIDS.”
Kilburn said it was always on her mind to organize something like this.
“I always wanted to do one of these tournaments before I graduated but realized I wouldn’t have time to get it all started,” Kilburn said. “I contacted Dena [Floyd] and we have been working since then to market the tournament.”
Kilburn , who will be interning with Grassroot Soccer in the upcoming year, was excited by the prospect of going to Africa.
“I’ll be a programs intern,” Kilburn said. “What I really liked about the organization is that the soccer programs are implemented only in the affected communities so that the kids have someone to look up to who is from their community and who understands where they are coming from.
“I wont be playing soccer with the kids but I’ll be helping run what they call voluntary testing tournaments and I’ll be helping reach out to the community and involve more schools with Grassroot Soccer.”
Dena Floyd, assistant coach of the women’s soccer team, said the tournament was a way for the soccer program to give back to the community.
“Well basically, when I first came here, I was big on community service,” Floyd said. “I was just trying to find something that our women’s team could do and then I found out about Grassroot just from being a soccer coach and having friends who worked for the organization.
“We want to do some type of community service and give back to the community and this would be a great way to do it and involve soccer too.”
Floyd mentioned the varsity soccer players will be involved with the tournament as well.
“They will be volunteering in the tournament and helping out with the organization that day,” Floyd said.
Registration is $15 per player and is open to both undergraduates and graduates who go to N.C . State. For more information, contact Dena Floyd at dena_floyd@ncsu.edu or Ronnie Bouemoue at rzbouemb@ncsu.edu.
