May 24, 2007
U.S. Embassy Photo Release

American Soccer Champs Hold U.S. Embassy-Sponsored Youth Clinic in Manila;
Embassy Deputy Chief Opens Event Featuring Fil-Am Olympic Player

Two American soccer champions – one a Filipino-American – are conducting U.S. Embassy-sponsored youth clinics in the Philippines to share their passion for the sport. Tiffany Roberts, whose mother was born in the Philippines, and Linda Hamilton offered soccer clinics in Manila, Iloilo, and Bacolod this week in partnership with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Paul W. Jones kicked off the Manila clinics today with a short ceremony, and watched the excited youths learn tips and techniques from the experts. Both Ms. Roberts and Ms. Hamilton were on the U.S. Women’s National soccer team, represented the United States in the Olympic Games, and won medals in the women’s World Cup games. They are both now coaching in the United States. Philippine Women’s National Team member Marilou Rubio also served as a coach and mentor during the youth clinics.

The visit is part of the World Cup Soccer Sports Initiative, a unique program that brings American soccer professionals overseas to hold clinics for both youths and coaches. The program, created by the U.S. Government in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation, emphasizes teamwork, respect, leadership and conflict resolution, and how these athletic qualities can translate into life skills and academic achievement. The American soccer professionals serve as Sports Envoys for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Pictured above are Sports Envoy Ms. Hamilton (center, navy jersey) and Ms. Roberts (right, white jersey) talking to Manila-area youths at the May 24 soccer clinic. Also pictured is DCM Paul Jones congratulating PFF President Juan Miguel Romualdez for making a goal during the official “kickoff” ceremony for the Manila clinic on May 24. DCM Jones handed over the first soccer ball to the PFF to officially begin the Manila clinic. The U.S. is donating all of the soccer balls used during the clinics to the PFF for distribution to youth programs throughout the country.

“Today I get to relive my childhood, because I loved playing football throughout my school years,” said DCM Jones during the opening ceremony. “The United States caught up with the rest of the world in our enthusiasm for soccer, and Tiffany Roberts and Linda Hamilton were part of that. So it’s really fitting for the celebration of the 60 th year of friendship between the United States and the Philippines as independent countries that we can come together in this way here in Manila, in Bacolod, and in Iloilo with terrific representatives of America and American soccer, and play together with some of the best representatives of Philippine soccer and with the future of Philippine soccer, who are right here with us today. We’re really thrilled to be here.”

“It’s my first time in the Philippines, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to see your country,” said Ms. Hamilton in opening remarks to the girls’ clinic in Manila. “It’s a great opportunity to provide so many quality lessons about life through the sport of soccer, from friendship and goodwill between our countries to recognizing through sports that you can have so many opportunities as a woman. We’re really excited to work with you guys.”

“I’m half Filipina, and I’m very proud of it,” said Ms. Roberts. “I really wanted to give back to the Philippines because my mother, family, and the culture have done so much for me.”

During their visit to the Philippines, Ms. Roberts and Ms. Hamilton conducted clinics with Ms. Rubio for both boys and girls in Iloilo from May 21-22, in Bacolod from May 22-23, and in Manila on May 24. They also held sessions for coaches in all three areas.

The U.S. Embassy is proud to partner with the Philippine Football Federation and Philippine Women’s National Soccer Team for this event, and would like to thank the Iloilo Football Association, Negros Occidental ( Bacolod) Football Association, and Rizal Football Association for their assistance in planning this program. Thank you to the PFF National and Regional Training Centers and Philsports Complex for hosting the clinics.

 

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