For the past five years, the boys soccer program has held a dodgeball tournament open not only to players but also to students and friends to raise money for their personal funding. Through Instagram advertising, the soccer program sought to recruit students from rising freshmen through rising seniors to form teams and participate in fundraising.
The event took place at Roosevelt Intermediate School on June 3 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The day featured six teams of teenage boys competing in the dodgeball tournament, with the option to purchase concessions while watching from the sidelines.
The money raised from this fundraiser will be used to improve the program, specifically in areas where the school does not already provide coverage. Head coach Eric Shaw said, “We have these GPS vests that cost money. We also have a huddle camera that gets used.” Variations in fundraising events pay for these more luxurious pieces of equipment. The entrance fee to participate in the dodgeball tournament is $150 per team, meaning that $900 was collected from just the entrance fee for the boys soccer program.
Despite the financial benefits, this event is more than just a fundraiser. It is used as a full program bonding exercise. By holding it in June, months before the season truly starts and even before summer break, rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors can become more familiar with one another, which will lead to a feeling of comfort on and off the field.
Rising senior and co-captain Cooper Janota was very excited to participate in this event. He said, “This really just creates a great environment where people can get to know each other through something other than soccer.” Rising senior Jackson Rossitto agreed, saying, “It brings the whole program together on every level. It’s great for all of us to have a fun time together as a full program instead of like three separate teams.”
Shaw reflected on how building strong team bonds does not happen overnight; it takes time and effort. “When I build these relationships with players, I feel a little bit more comfortable when I’m demanding a lot from them,” said Shaw. “They’re something that we have to build over time. We believe that, as coaches and educators, we have to take time outside the regular season to build that.”
The boys soccer program will continue to host different fundraisers. They will be in the WHS parking lot hosting a car wash very soon to not only raise vital funds for the teams but also foster relationships and camaraderie.
As the season approaches, events like these continue to show that the Westfield boys soccer program is built on more than just competition. Through fundraising and time spent together off the field, the team is able to strengthen both its resources and its relationships, laying a foundation for the months ahead.
