By Dan Brosgol
On Wednesday, October 19, over 70 Bedford second grade soccer players took over Sabourin Field in the early evening for an epic soccer Jamboree under the lights. Hundreds of parents, siblings, and friends lined the field and the track to watch the little Buccaneers play joyful soccer for over an hour and a half on a picture-perfect fall evening.
Annmarie Silver and Sean Walton, the co-coordinators of Bedford’s intramural soccer program, along Jason Rotella, the second grade boys’ intramural coordinator, were instrumental in organizing the event, which featured 10 teams (six boys’ teams and four girls’ teams) playing in a just-for-fun round-robin series of games.
The girls played three 20-minute games, while the boys played two 30-minute games on five different miniature fields set up across the turf. The action began at dusk and continued long after sunset, with the lights shining brilliantly and the players’ smiles shining perhaps more brilliantly.
“We heard comments from the kids, parents, and coaches that the tournament was great fun,” said Silver. Rotella agreed, adding that “the kids were beyond excited, and also completely exhausted, by the end. Sounds like we may have a new annual event to plan.” Silver also praised the Recreation Department and Bedford Soccer for their support of the event.
Many of the town’s soccer referees also joined in the fun, including mother-and-son Daisy and Joe Girifalco. Daisy, who is also a longtime coach for Bedford’s travel soccer program, took time following her marathon refereeing performance at the Jamboree to comment that “the event was great! Bedford soccer does a great job giving these younger players an opportunity to have real playing experience while maintaining the fun nature of the game.”
All in all, the Jamboree was a great night for Bedford soccer; hopefully we’ll see the new tradition continue in the springtime.
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