Parents Vie for Soccer Glory at Goodrich Tournament
May 09, 2017 02:10PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Photo credit: Bret Beucler
After a grueling day on the pitch, the American Martyrs parent team claimed glory at the Jeff Goodrich Parents' Soccer Classic in Manhattan Beach on Saturday, May 6.
American Martyrs School bested the Grand View Elementary School team, 5-1, to take first place at Manhattan Beach's largest community soccer event.
The American Martyrs team, led by Steve Nash, now boasts of two championships in four years. The Grandview “A” Team made its third trip to the finals in three years, but came up short of the three-peat this year.
In addition to American Martyrs and Grand View, this year's tournament featured parent teams from Meadows Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Pennekamp Elementary, Robinson Elementary, Manhattan Beach MIddle School, Mira Costa High School, Hermosa View, Hermosa Valley, and Del Sol School. All told, there were 12 teams competing with 120 players.
“This tournament is such a wonderful event for our community," said tournament chairman Corey Baim. "I’m amazed every year at how the level of play keeps getting better and better. On behalf of the tournament committee, we would like to thank everyone involved, including the Goodrich family and all of our sponsors for their extraordinary commitment to our kids and their school athletic programs and facilities.”
The tournament also took on its first-ever marquee sponsor this year with Sand & Surf Soccer Club, the only youth soccer club located in Manhattan Beach.
“Sand & Surf prides itself on being a community-focused club," said Dave Digilio, president of Sand & Surf. "Like the Goodrich, Sand & Surf was founded in 2003. And many of our parents, coaches, and board members have played in the Goodrich over the years. We could not be happier to support a great event and a great cause.”
Added Baim: "Sand & Surf were fantastic partners and truly reflect the vision Jeff Goodrich had for this tournament - playing soccer to benefit the kids in our schools through true community participation."
The Jeff Goodrich Parents' Soccer Classic is a soccer tournament for parents of children attending Manhattan and Hermosa Beach School District schools, and other local supporters of the MBX Foundation, as well as supporters of the Goodrich family.
Jeff Goodrich, a Manhattan Beach police officer and a soccer enthusiast, founded the tournament in 2003 to raise funds for what is now the MBX Foundation (supporting athletic programs in local schools). He passed away in 2010 following a battle with brain cancer.
While the Goodrich tournament started with a patchwork of teams playing on Pacific Field, it’s turned into a well-organized affair. Preparation begins with captains meetings months in advance. Teams come in uniform. A taco truck provides lunch for players and spectators, while physical therapists are ready to help the inevitable weekend warrior injuries that crop up. And along with recreational athletes, some professional athletes such as Steve Nash and Mia Hamm have been seen on the pitch.
The majority of the proceeds from the tournament (after expenses) go to the MBX Foundation in support of athletic and sports programs in local school districts, with a portion collected from friends of Jeff Goodrich designated for donation to the family.
At press time, Baim reported the the tournament had raised approximately $47,000.
The photo gallery is courtesy of Bret Beucler.
American Martyrs School bested the Grand View Elementary School team, 5-1, to take first place at Manhattan Beach's largest community soccer event.
The American Martyrs team, led by Steve Nash, now boasts of two championships in four years. The Grandview “A” Team made its third trip to the finals in three years, but came up short of the three-peat this year.
In addition to American Martyrs and Grand View, this year's tournament featured parent teams from Meadows Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Pennekamp Elementary, Robinson Elementary, Manhattan Beach MIddle School, Mira Costa High School, Hermosa View, Hermosa Valley, and Del Sol School. All told, there were 12 teams competing with 120 players.
“This tournament is such a wonderful event for our community," said tournament chairman Corey Baim. "I’m amazed every year at how the level of play keeps getting better and better. On behalf of the tournament committee, we would like to thank everyone involved, including the Goodrich family and all of our sponsors for their extraordinary commitment to our kids and their school athletic programs and facilities.”
The tournament also took on its first-ever marquee sponsor this year with Sand & Surf Soccer Club, the only youth soccer club located in Manhattan Beach.
“Sand & Surf prides itself on being a community-focused club," said Dave Digilio, president of Sand & Surf. "Like the Goodrich, Sand & Surf was founded in 2003. And many of our parents, coaches, and board members have played in the Goodrich over the years. We could not be happier to support a great event and a great cause.”
Added Baim: "Sand & Surf were fantastic partners and truly reflect the vision Jeff Goodrich had for this tournament - playing soccer to benefit the kids in our schools through true community participation."
The Jeff Goodrich Parents' Soccer Classic is a soccer tournament for parents of children attending Manhattan and Hermosa Beach School District schools, and other local supporters of the MBX Foundation, as well as supporters of the Goodrich family.
Jeff Goodrich, a Manhattan Beach police officer and a soccer enthusiast, founded the tournament in 2003 to raise funds for what is now the MBX Foundation (supporting athletic programs in local schools). He passed away in 2010 following a battle with brain cancer.
While the Goodrich tournament started with a patchwork of teams playing on Pacific Field, it’s turned into a well-organized affair. Preparation begins with captains meetings months in advance. Teams come in uniform. A taco truck provides lunch for players and spectators, while physical therapists are ready to help the inevitable weekend warrior injuries that crop up. And along with recreational athletes, some professional athletes such as Steve Nash and Mia Hamm have been seen on the pitch.
The majority of the proceeds from the tournament (after expenses) go to the MBX Foundation in support of athletic and sports programs in local school districts, with a portion collected from friends of Jeff Goodrich designated for donation to the family.
At press time, Baim reported the the tournament had raised approximately $47,000.
The photo gallery is courtesy of Bret Beucler.
Goodrich Soccer Tournament 2017 [44 Images]
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