The winning goal
You can get a lot more from football than just scratches and bruises. By Sally Jo Bellosillo

It was the 2000 UAAP women's football championship game between De La Salle University and Far Eastern University. With the score tied at 0-0 and only minutes left before penalties, the team to draw first blood in overtime was to score the golden goal. At that point, midfielder Candice Grey of De La Salle had just entered the game. Teammate Karen Cacho slotted her a back pass, and Candice took a shot that entered the top right corner of the opponent's goal---winning for them the title.

The winning kick of Candice couldn't have been more meaningful. Coming off an illness, Candice had spent half of the season parked on the bench---the substitute of a substitute. But in the second half, she fought to regain her game despite setback after setback, and that championship moment showcased her fighting spirit and desire to win.

Early training
Candice's beautiful career in football started in her youth. And hoping to pass on her experience to young people, she and her boyfriend, Avery del Rosario, have decided to leave their day jobs to put up Futbol Funatics, a soccer camp for children.

While it is never too late to learn football, the ideal time to begin training is during the toddler years, when good fun is blended with the basics of the game.

According to Candice, "A parent should start their children as young as possible."

Starting young definitely has its benefits. Aside from learning the skills and rules of the game, the kids also learn discipline, cooperation, hard work and focus---useful traits to bring to other areas of their life.

Kale's tale

The sport also provides good opportunities to men and women who excel in it. Top schools and universities offer athletic scholarships to outstanding athletes in football or other competitive sports. It is also possible to turn professional or semi-professional in football leagues in Australia, Japan, Korea and Europe.

Take, for example, pro football player Kale Alvarez, whose love for the game started at age 10, when he joined the Claret varsity football team. He then moved on to play on the University of the Philippines varsity team, on the national team, and now in Australia with the Brisbane Olympic United under Coach Juan Cutillas.

How to get started
The best way for a child to get started is through a football clinic such as Futbol Funatics. When the child turns a bit older---about 7 or 8---and acquires a passion for the game, he can join the school varsity team for further training and development.

As a parent, you can do a lot to get your child into the sport. Candice remembers how her dad would take her out to the park just to kick a ball around. Kale's parents also wholeheartedly supported his athletic inclinations and his turning pro.

For more on this story, read the August 2006 issue of HealthToday. Grab a copy now!