Santa Barbara United News

Santa Barbara United Wins in Norway By Caitlin Crandell Santa Barbara Independent, August 22, 2008

http://www.independent.com/

Under-13 Girls Soccer Team Goes 7-0, Outscores Opponents 22-0

Santa Barbara United, an under-13 girls soccer team, left for the Norway Cup tournament in July as the only American team, and returned as the champions of their age bracket. “Our goal was to make it to the championship game,” said coach Dave Goss, who expressed how exhilarating it was to not only win the entire tournament, but to have had a shutout with a final cumulative score of 22-0. “It was an amazing feat that the girls accomplished,” he said, crediting “team effort” for the brilliant success.

For forward Michelle Goss, this victory was made even sweeter as she was honored as the tournament's MVP, having scored eight goals in seven games. She never expected to be chosen as MVP, nor did she think they'd make it to the championships. “I thought we wouldn't place,” she admitted.

In addition to the offensive strength that Michelle and her fellow forwards Tiana Bonn, Erin Graf, and Adaezia Hill provided, the Santa Barbara United's defense was rock solid, composed of midfielder's Katarina Rocha, Une Solheim, Jordan Corry, Gabrielle Goss, and Sydney Read, as well as the defensive line of Caroline Vance, Natalee Yamasaki, Amber Holland, and Megan Grajeda.

Goalie Hannah Ball proved to be undefeatable. “We felt so comfortable with them in the back,” said coach Goss of the defense, attributing the team's ability to have ball possession 80 percent of the time to this strong foundation.

The 12-day trip included “a lot more than just soccer,” according to Goss, who explained that the girls also spent several days in home-stays in Lillehammer, Norway, and experienced cultural exchanges with several groups of girls from around the world. In addition to the tournament games, the team played scrimmages with teams from Zimbabwe and Kenya.

When it came to playing teams from other countries, player Adaezia Hill said, “It was weird to hear them communicating,” pointing out that “sometimes with American teams, you can hear the coaching” and anticipate what the team is planning to do. Ultimately for Hill, the outcome was a little surprising. “I didn't realize what a good team we had,” she said. But in the end, having stayed and played together for the 12 days, at least “I think we go to know each other a little more,” reflected Hill.

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Norway Cup Winners Have a Championship Story to Tell By Mollie Helmuth, Noozhawk Intern, Noozhawk, August 13, 2008

http://www.noozhawk.com

Victorious Santa Barbara United girls recount soccer success and the thrill of their young lifetimes.

Returning home victorious from a two-week whirlwind trip to Norway for the largest youth soccer tournament in the world, the Santa Barbara United girls' soccer players should be exhausted, right?

“We got home at 2:15 a.m. on Sunday (Aug. 3) and my daughter insisted on going to soccer camp Monday morning!” said Mary Vance, whose daughter, Caroline, was team captain for SBU.

The girls shut out competition at the Norway Cup as the only team to compete from the United States, winning the cup Aug. 1 in a 2-0 game against the Norwegian Hoybr/Stavn team.

Coach Eric Graf said the girls played at top speed the entire game.

“They were thoughtful and played a technically brilliant game, controlling the ball and completing series of passes to wear out and disrupt their competition,” he said.

The tournament drew more than 1,500 youth soccer teams from 45 countries. SBU competed in the youngest age bracket with girls age 12-14, playing seven tournament games in Oslo and outscoring their opponents 22-0.

“It was a mix of nervousness and a lot of adrenaline,” SBU defensive player Natalee Yamasaki, 13, said of stepping onto the field for their final game. “They were playing trumpets — it was really exciting.”

SBU operates under the umbrella of the American Youth Soccer Organization. The team consists of players from the Santa Barbara AYSO all-star team and recruited players from Santa Barbara Soccer Club, Real Santa Barbara Soccer Club and one player from Oxnard.

“Not only were we able to find talented players, but these girls are some of the nicest you'll ever meet,” said Graf, whose daughter, Erin, is on the team. “They moved forward as a group growing as a united team which was a force on the pitch.”

Goalkeeper Hannah Ball fiercely posted shutouts every game, supported by a strong defensive lineup — Megan Grajeda, Amber Holland, Caroline Vance and Natalee Yamasaki.

“I got pretty nervous when the ball passed the (defensive) line,” Ball, 13, said of the final game, which she says was the toughest. “It hadn't happened yet, but when it did I just got into position.”

Jordan Corry, Gabrielle Goss, Sydney Read, Katarina Rocha and Une Solheim controlled the midfield. Tiana Bonn, Michelle Goss, Erin Graf and Adaezia Hill brought in goals on offense.

Aside from the competition, traveling to Norway had a deeper meaning for the players and their The team's adventure began with homestays in Lillehammer. In pairs, the girls stayed with families who had daughters their age.

Graf says he “had hopes of these girls getting to realize how other girls the same age, and just like themselves, lived and had similar dreams, hopes and laughs.”

The girls scrimmaged with teams from Kenya, Norway, Palestine, Sweden and Zimbabwe, often exchanging pins from their respective home leagues.

Adaezia Hill, 13, traveled with her grandmother, Melinda Staveley, who was an American Field Service exchange student in Norway more than 40 years ago.

“During the first two weeks we visited some of my high school buddies in Hamar (near Lillehammer), and they came to the tournament with both Norwegian and American flags,” said Staveley. “It was neat to share with Adaezia, because I was only three years older than she is when I was here.”

Adaezia was a valuable player for SBU on offense, scoring the only goal in the semi-final game against Sweden to advance the team to the finals.

SBU proudly brought home the two-foot-tall trophy, which Graf says he had securely between his legs the entire flight home from Oslo.

“I was worried it would get nicked or bent out of shape if it was in the luggage, or even in the overhead on the planes,” he said.

Traveling along with the girls were supportive parents and grandparents, who were thrilled to watch their daughters play the final match in front of 1,000 fans, many of them waving American and Norwegian flags.

“It was a mix of excitement and a lot of adrenaline,” said Yamasaki.

The immense honor was captured as the girls received their huge trophy, Michelle Goss was announced Most Valuable Player and team captain Caroline Vance was interviewed by a Norwegian television news program.

This is the second year SBU has traveled to Norway to compete in the cup, but the first year the team returned with a trophy. With a solid group of girls, hopes for participation again next year may depend on fundraising success. The cost is approximately $50,000.

“If the dollar continues to decline and our economy continues to suffer, it will be nearly impossible to return next year,” Graf said. “Norway is the most expensive place in the world right now.”

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Soccer vacation on Norwegian Earth Lillehammer Byavis, August 7, 2008

“Norwegian soccer fields are flooded with soccer crazy young people in the summer half. In Brottum, they have had visit of foreign uniforms on the field - from Santa Barbara in California. They have a really build-up before Norway Cup, the two teams from Åsmarka/Brottum and Santa Barbara in California. The girls on Santa Barbara´s 13 year-old team have been traveling 8486 kilometer.…”

Full article: http://www.byavis.no/

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Goal! Santa Barbara United Girls Soccer Team Wins Norway Cup By Melinda Staveley, Noozhawk, August 2, 2008

http://www.noozhawk.com/

The players post yet another shutout, and Michelle Goss is named tournament MVP.

We did it!

Santa Barbara United beat the Hoybr/Stavn (near Oslo) 2-0, another shutout, to win the Norway Cup in front of a crowd of maybe 1,000 with U.S. and Norwegian flags waving and cheers in every language imaginable. With the team's superb defense and magnificent goalie, our forwards were able to advance the ball against the fastest team we played in the tournament.

After marching in with U.S. flags waving, each player's name was announced as she she stepped out of line to be acknowledged. The Norwegian and U.S. teams shook hands and the game began.

It took a bit for the girls to settle down, but soon they were playing their passing game. For all the girls, this was the first time to play a final tournament game before such a large crowd, not to mention in a country so far from home.

Joining the team parents cheering on our team were several new friends from Lillehammer and Hamar, as well as the friends on the Kenyan and other Norwegian teams. The spirit of friendship and international goodwill woven into the fabric of this tournament brought tears to all of our eyes from the beginning to the end of the tournament. The future is in good hands with these young people.

In addition to the team bringing home the Norway Cup, Michelle Goss was awarded the tournament's Most Valuable Player award in the under-13 class. Goss played center forward and was responsible for many of United's goals throughout the week.

On Saturday, the team heads in different directions, some home to Santa Barbara, some to other parts of the United States or Europe. All will carry with them memories for a lifetime of competition grounded in the spirit of “fair play” and mutual respect.

Thank you to Santa Barbara AYSO, our friends, supporters and family who made it possible for us to enter the Norway Cup 2008. We trust we have made you proud.

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Defense takes team a long way in Norway News-Press Staff Writer, Santa Barbara News-Press, August 8, 2008 7:35 AM

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/

Santa Barbara United celebrates on the victory stand after winning the girls 13-and-under championship in the Norway Cup.

Fourteen local girls won a lot of new friends and a very large trophy last weekend in Norway.

Santa Barbara United's 13-and-under girls captured the Norway Cup in Oslo, beating Norway's Hoybr-Stavn 2-0 for the title.

The Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the world, included 1,600 teams from 45 countries, although Santa Barbara United was the only American team at this year's event.

“The key for the team's success was the incredible play from the four defenders — Caroline Vance, Natalee Yamasaki, Megan Grajeda and Amber Holland, and goalie Hannah Ball,” said Dave Boss, the team's assistant coach. “In seven tournament games and three friendly games, the team did not allow a single goal.”

Santa Barbara outscored its opposition 22-0 during the Norway Cup.

Tianna Bonn scored the first goal of the final on a breakaway. Michelle Goss finished the scoring “with a bullet of a direct kick into the upper left corner of the net from 25 yards out,” coach Goss said.

The goal was Goss' eighth in seven matches, earning her the most valuable player award for her age group in a vote by the Norway Cup Committee. Bonn had four goals in the tournament, while Erin Graf (three), Gabrielle Goss (two), Une Solheim (two), Vance (one) and Adaezia Hill (one) also scored.

Katarina Rocha, Sydney Read and Jordan Corry contributed as midfield playmakers.

Erik Graf and Edward Bonn served as the co-head coaches.

“The atmosphere was incredible for everyone,” coach Goss said. “The entire Skade (near Oslo) club team that S.B. United had beaten 1-0 in the semifinals was waving American flags and cheering us on to victory.”

“There wasn't a dry eye on the S.B. United sideline as the whistle blew and the parents rushed the field to hug the players.”

Vance's mother, Mary, described it as an “exciting sports and cultural exchange experience for the 14 girls, starting with home stays with Norwegian families in Lillehammer to playing scrimmages in Oslo with teams from Zimbabwe, Kenya and Palestine.”

“Caroline, our team captain, was interviewed on Norwegian television after the winning the final,” she added. “They played the tournament championship final game in a big stadium with approximately 1,000 fans watching, and with many of the teams we beat actually waving little USA flags and cheering for the USA. It was a great life experience for the girls.”

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Vinnere fra USA Norway Cup web site, August 1, 2008

http://live.norwaycup.no/

Winners from the USA
Santa Barbara United from the USA played good soccer in the final in the T class, and run away with the victory after an even played finale.

Not the first time
Santa Barbara United participated also in 2007, and has the last year arranged both garage sale, car washing and also received incomes from sponsors to be able to go to Norway. The team has “charged up” on Lillehammer a week before the tournament, and played friendly games against both Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Full article: http://live.norwaycup.no/

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Santa Barbara Girls Soccer Team Makes Norway Cup Quarterfinals By Katarina Rocha and Caroline Vance, Noozhawk, July 30, 2008

http://www.noozhawk.com/

When not overcoming cultural differences on the field, the Santa Barbara United 14-under soccer team finds time to take in the sights.

…In 800 A.D., the Norwegian Vikings paddled huge, intricately carved boats all over the world. We saw those boats Tuesday in the Viking Museum in Oslo. They are incredible carvings, rather dark and mysterious. The silk with their designs were more than 1,000 years old, which is hard for us to imagine.

Some of us also took a long walk in the morning to the Royal Castle where the King of Norway has lived for centuries, to the Oslo Harbor, to the Nobel Peace Center and along Karl Johan's Gate, Oslo's beautiful main street lined with trees and benches, shops and restaurants. It was fun to see people from so many countries and to hear so many different languages.

At the Norway Cup field, we took our official team photo and cheered the Lillehammer team that some of our host “sisters” play on. It is so much fun to have friends here when we are this far from home.…

Full article: http://www.noozhawk.com/

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First Week, First Win in Norway for Santa Barbara Girls Soccer Team By Michelle Goss, Adaezia Hill and Amber Holland, Noozhawk, July 28, 2008

http://www.noozhawk.com/

Participating in the Norway Cup is just one of many highlights for 13 local players and their families.

[Editor's Note: Santa Barbara United, a soccer organization of 12- to 14-year-old girls, is the only U.S. team to enter the world's largest youth soccer tournament, the Norway Cup. Thirteen girls from Solvang, Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria are in Norway until Aug. 2. Here, three players reflect on the team's experiences during the first week. Check Noozhawk and www.sb-united.com for team updates.]

We thought we would send a story every day, but there's just no time. From the very first day in Lillehammer, when we arrived to seven welcoming and gracious families, to Sunday when we won our first match of the Norway Cup in Oslo against Oslo Nordstrand 4-0, our days have been full to the last of the almost midnight sunlight.

We aren't quite north enough to experience the true midnight sun, but it really does stay light until about 10:30 p.m.

Lillehammer on Lake Mjosa, the largest lake in Norway, is a lovely town of about 25,000. Surrounded by lush farms, the town is picaresque, friendly and easy for our team to explore.

The girls, under the supervision of their host families, climbed the 800-plus steps to the top of the Olympic ski jump and watched young and older practicing their jumps, visited a wonderful “living” museum that demonstrated the history of Norway, hiked in the mountains and enjoyed a nearby water park with their Norwegian “brothers and sisters.”

Our parting on Saturday morning was filled with “tusen takks” (thousand thanks), invitations to come to Santa Barbara and come back to Lillehammer, and heartfelt hugs.

This first week also offered time for soccer practice and two “friendly” matches with local teams in Lillehammer. We needed to adjust to the nine-hour time difference, recover from 16 hours of travel and begin to feel comfortable in this land of many similarities and differences, such as language, foods and sleep patterns.

Age Solheim, Britt Svoen and their daughters, Une and Ida, made this week in Lillehammer for 13 American girls, ages 12 to 14, and their family members one that will remain a special time in hearts and minds.

Now we concentrate on soccer and the Norway Cup. On Saturday, after a “friendly” match with the girls from Zimbabwe (0-0) and a barbecue in which the girls shared songs and dances, was the opening parade — 1,500 teams and 30,000 players being welcomed by one another and the city of Oslo.

The Kenya team shouted “Obama, Obama” when they marched by us. Some of us smiled and gave a high-five sign; some of us shouted back “McCain , McCain.”

On Monday and Tuesday we have matches against two more Norwegian teams. Other teams we could play in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals are Brazil, Kenya, Vietnam and Palestine. Whatever the teams, the spirit that infuses the Norway Cup is one of mutual respect, interest and lots of fun. What better way to see and be a citizen of the world!

Quotes from the team:

“It is a great experience meeting people from different countries.”

“We discovered SoftIs, soft ice-cream.”

“My family was kind and giving.”

“The Olympic ski jump in Lillehammer was my favorite experience so far. We climbed the 850-plus steps and watched some jumpers practicing.”

“We all tried the goat cheese, brown cheese. It is sweet and rich.”

“The houses are really beautiful in Lillehammer, and in Oslo we are in apartments.”

“I liked jumping off the bridge into the river in Lillehammer after the scrimmage.”

“Boy, am I happy we one our first game.”

“Living with my team is the best!”

We will write again soon, maybe after our wins Monday and Tuesday. Keep rooting for us!

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A Real Friendly Game Ringsaker Blad, July 26, 2008

“Santa Barbara United from California had a big wish before NorwayCup. Namely to play against their favorite competitor Åsmarka. Thursday night they got the opportunity…”

Full article: http://www.hamar-dagblad.no

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Santa Barbara United back in town Lillehammer KFK Women's Soccer Club, July 24, 2008

Une Solheim's local soccer club writes about SB United's return to Lillehammer, Norway. The article has a link to the pool games and results from the Norway Cup.

Full article: http://idrett.speaker.no/organisation.asp

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Grajeda Heads to Norway Ventura County Star, July 17, 2008

Oxnard's Megan Grajeda is the lone Ventura County girl playing for the Santa Barbara United Club featuring 12- to 14-year-old players. The United players will leave Sunday to play in the Norway Cup. Coaches Edward Bonn and Eric Graf took the club girls' team to Norway last summer. The trip was inspired by Une Solheim, an AYSO player in Santa Barbara. Solheim's family came from Norway so her mother could do post-doctoral work at UCSB. Une's parents, Britt Svoen and Age Solheim, helped the club plan last year's trip. The girls will spend a week in Une's hometown of Lillehammer. Last year's club team reached the quarterfinals and was of only two American teams out of a total of 1,500 teams. Last summer, the Santa Barbara girls scrimmaged against a Vietnamese team to wrap up their trip. The United team also played against teams from China and Kenya. Bonn said this time the Santa Barbara team is the lone American squad. Bonn said his team will play games against teams from Palestine, Kenya and Uganda. Besides Grajeda, the other players are Gabrielle Goss, Tiana Bonn, Katarina Rocha, Hannah Ball, Jordan Corry, Solhem, Michelle Goss, Erin Graf, Caroline Vance, Sydney Reed, Aadaeia Hill, Natalee Yamasaki and Amber Holland. Grajeda, 13, is an eighth-grader at Cabrillo Middle School in Ventura.

Full article: http://www.venturacountystar.com/

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Santa Barbara Soccer Club Headed To Norway KEYT3 News, July 16, 2008

A Santa Barbara soccer club is ready to take on the world at an International soccer tournament in Norway.

For a second straight year, the Santa Barbara United will be participating in the world's largest youth soccer tournament that features 1,500 teams representing 30 countries.

The 13–14 year-old girls will be the only team representing the United States and along with playing in some intensely competitive games against teams like Kenya and China, the girls will also get the chance to learn about other cultures and make long-distance friendships.

The team is still looking for donations to help fund the once in a lifetime trip. If you're interested in helping out, you contact Melinda Staveley at 805-448-3484.

Full article: http://www.keyt.com/

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Press Box: Local girls off to compete in Norway D.C. DeMilio, Goleta Valley Voice, July 11, 2008

“For the second consecutive year Santa Barbara United, 11–13, will be traveling to Oslo to play in the prestigious Norway Cup, July 20–Aug. 2. And, once again, Santa Barbara United is the only American squad competing. They advanced to the quarterfinals last year.…”

Full article: http://www.goletavalleyvoice.com/

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Young Soccer Stars Heading to Norway Caitlin Candrell, Santa Barbara Independent, July 10, 2008

http://www.independent.com/

Santa Barbara United, a Team of 12- to 14-Year Olds, Goes to Scandinavia This Summer

On July 20, a team of 14 girls from the Santa Barbara area is traveling to Scandinavia to compete in the Norway Cup, the world's largest youth soccer tournament. These 12- to 14-year-old players were scouted and assembled from various South Coast teams to create Santa Barbara United. Coaches Edward Bonn and Eric Graf look for girls who are not only excellent soccer players, but also have an interest in traveling and participating in cultural exchange. “If we're taking that big trip,” explained Coach Bonn, “we want them to experience a part of Norway's culture, not just compete in an athletic competition.”

Coaches Bonn and Graf first took Santa Barbara United to the Norway Cup last summer, having been inspired by Une Solheim, a player on their AYSO team. Last year, Une came with her family from Norway so her mother could do post-doctoral work at UCSB. With the help of Une's parents, Brit Svoen and Åge Solheim, Santa Barbara United cooked up a plan to participate in the Norway Cup in Oslo as well as spend a week in Une's hometown of Lillehammer to get a taste of the culture. The team made it to the quarterfinals and was one of only two American teams out of a total of 1,500.

The team's final game of the 2007 trip was the scrimmage against Vietnam, which the coaches had planned without realizing that it would be the first official game between an American and Vietnamese team since the Vietnam War.

“This year we expect to make it to the finals,” pledged Coach Bonn. “It is a really talented bunch of young ladies…They could be unstoppable.” With four returning players and last year's experience in the Cup, the team is confident. “We have an advantage,” says returning player Tiana Bonn. “We know how [the international players] play, and what we're going to go through before the tournament. We're not going to be over- or under-excited.” This year, the girls of Santa Barbara United are proud to be the only American team in the Norway Cup.

Last year, outside of the tournament, Santa Barbara United organized games with teams from China, Kenya, and Vietnam, after which the players shared dinner and learned a little about each other's countries, languages, and customs. The team's final game of the 2007 trip was the scrimmage against Vietnam, which the coaches had planned without realizing that it would be the first official game between an American and Vietnamese team since the Vietnam War. Out of the 1,500 teams in last year's Cup, Coach Bonn wasn't aware of any other teams who had organized such scrimmages and cultural exchanges. This summer, Santa Barbara United has games in store with teams from Palestine, Kenya, and Uganda.

In addition to the hours of practice and conditioning that the players complete to prepare for the competition, and the coordinating and planning on the part of the parents and coaches, Santa Barbara United has been fundraising to pay for the trip. The cost of each player's airfare, room and board, tournament fees, and uniform is $3,500, totaling some $50,000 in expenses for the entire team of 14 to participate in this incredible experience. The team has held a garage sale, been selling carwash tickets, approached corporations for donations, and is planning a car wash fundraiser this Sunday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Goleta's Mobil Gas Station, 4750 Hollister Avenue, across from San Marcos High. For several girls on the team, the trip would not be possible without the financial assistance provided by this fundraising. The team is also accepting donations.

For more information, see sb-united.com. To see fundraising opportunities, go here.

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SB United hits world stage Peter Dugre, Santa Barbara Daily Sound, July 4, 2008, page 16

“One team will take the field to represent the United States at the largest youth soccer tournament in the world — the Norway Cup — and that team is Santa Barbara United.

SB United has been honing its soccer skills and fundraising since the end of May to prepare for the big test from July 20 through August 2 in Oslo, Norway. The 13 girls aged 12 to 14 are from the greater Santa Barbara area stretching from Oxnard to Solvang. They were selected based on soccer excellence and interest in cultural exchange…”

Full article (see page 16): http://www.viewda.com/

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U13 soccer girls headed to Norway:
Club West athletes advance in Junior Olympics regionals News-Press Staff Writer, Santa Barbara News-Press, June 20, 2008 7:54 AM

A baker's dozen of girls from Solvang, Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria are preparing for a summer trip to Norway, where they'll represent America for the second year in a row at the Norway Cup, the world's largest international youth soccer tournament. The Santa Barbara United girls 13-and-under team will travel to Oslo for the event, which is expected to draw more than 1,500 players on teams from more than 30 countries on every continent.

Full article: http://www.newspress.com/

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Facts and Stats: 2007 Norway CupNorway Cup web site

• Facts Norway Cup 2007

  • 1500 Teams
  • 30.000 participants (13 - 19 Years old)
  • 40 Nations
  • 65 Fields
  • 3400 Games
  • 350 Referees and 45 observers
  • 30 Accommodation schools
  • 9 Hotels

More: http://www.norway-cup.no/uk/t2.asp?p=47250

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Car Wash Fundraiser July 13, 2008

Santa Barbara United is holding a car wash in an effort to raise money for this year's Norway Cup tournament!

Mobil Gas Staion (across from San Marcos High)
4750 Hollister Avenue
Santa Barbara, Ca 93110

July 13, 2008
10am–1pm

Google map

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History of the Norway Cup Norway Cup web site

The Norway Cup is an International Soccer Tournament in Oslo, Norway. 2007 marked the 35^th anniversary of this tournament, which attracted 30,000 athletes ages 13–19 comprising 1500 teams from 40 nations.

More background history is detailed on the official site of the Norway Cup:

http://www.norway-cup.no/uk/t2.asp?p=26711

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From Solvang to Norway for Soccer by Nora K. Wallace, News-Press Staff Writer, Santa Barbara News-Press, June 6, 2008 11:57 AM

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/

Two Solvang School students with a passion for soccer are on the fundraising trail, hoping to earn enough money for a chance to play their sport in Norway this summer.

Katarina Rocha and Natalee Yamasaki have been offered positions on the Santa Barbara United team, which will travel in July to play in the Norway Cup, the largest international youth soccer tournament in the world. An estimated 30,000 participants, ages 13 to 19, will come from more than 30 countries. There are 1,500 teams competing, with only two from the U.S. During the event, there are 3,400 games played on 65 fields.

Santa Barbara United, which is affiliated with American Youth Soccer Organization, or AYSO, is raising $50,000 to send a team of about 15 players.

Katarina, 13, has lived in Solvang for five years.

“This opportunity would be a dream come true for me because I feel that this experience would be great both educationally and athletically,” she wrote in a fundraising letter. “The chance to go to Europe is incredible but having the opportunity to play the sport I love representing my country makes it all the more special.”

Katarina has played soccer since she was five, and joined the Santa Barbara Soccer Club when she was eight. While maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, she is also involved in volleyball, basketball and track at Solvang school. She hopes someday to attend Stanford University.

In an interview this week, Katarina said she and her friend Natalee were scouted by the Santa Barbara United team during a tournament, and later asked to attend the trip to Norway. So far, they've sent their fundraising letter to friends, businesses and larger companies, she said. By herself, she's raised about $1,500, though all donations go into a large pool for the entire team, she said. They will raise money until the day before they leave, she said.

“We're talking about doing a bake sale or car wash,” she said. “Otherwise it's writing letters and asking people to help us.”

The teenager, who plays center-midfield, said she's always wanted to go to Europe.

“To be able to play soccer as well is an extra bonus,” she said. “It's really amazing and really cool that I got asked to do this.”

Soccer is her favorite sport because she has been playing it the longest, she said.

“I love the endurance,” she explained. “You have to be awake and watching the game the entire time. The adrenaline is great. There are good friendships too.”

Katarina's dad, Gabriel, will travel with her, while mom Tanya stays home.

“The experience is going to be amazing,” for their first-born daughter, Mrs. Rocha said.

In a fundraising letter, Natalee, 13, said she has played soccer since the age of four. A Solvang native, she is in the 7^th grade at Solvang School and plays center defender for the Santa Barbara Soccer Club.

“I really like the competitiveness of it and how you get to play with your friends and create bonds,” said Natalee, who also participates in track and volleyball.

The chance to play in Norway, she said, is especially exciting because she has only flown once, as an infant, on an airplane.

“I look forward to the experience of living with Norwegian families, learning about other cultures, and playing soccer with teams from every continent,” she wrote. “Any financial support for a life-changing experience will be greatly appreciated and remembered for the rest of my life.”

Playing soccer and representing the U.S., she said in an interview this week, “is pretty cool.”

She said she expects she and her friend will also try to have some barbecue fundraisers. Her parents are Tim and Laura.

Santa Barbara United played in the Norway Cup last year. One of the highlights of that time, the club's leaders said, was playing with a Kenyan team comprised of orphans and former child soldiers.

“After our soccer match, their coaches and players took our players, parents, and spectators by the hand, back on to the field for celebratory singing and dancing,” Santa Barbara United organizers wrote on their web site. “With no band or boom-box — only singing, clapping, smiles, and lots of rhythm — they brought tears to many eyes.”

The team also played a Vietnamese team and received major media coverage because it was the first sanctioned soccer match between teams from the U.S. and Vietnam since the war ended three decades ago.

All donations are tax deductible. The AYSO tax identification number is 95-6205398. Checks should be made payable to AYSO Region 122-Cultural Exchange. Donations for both girls may be sent to Katarina Rocha, 606 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang, 93463.

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2008 Norway Cup Fundraising $50,000

Our goal is to raise $50,000 to allow us to send a team of 15–16 players. The funds will cover the costs of air fair, ground transportation, food and lodging, tournament fees, uniforms, cultural excursions, and gifts to host families and players from other countries.

We appreciate anything you can donate to support our trip, as this helps us to reach our goal of raising $50,000 for our entire team.

All donation are 100% tax deductible.

We bring our request to you knowing that you appreciate the value of cultural exchange and the hope for world understanding that lies with our young people. We thank you in advance for your support.

Donations can be sent to:
Santa Barbara United
606 Alamo Pintado Rd.
Solvang, 93463

Checks Payable to: AYSO Region 122/Cultural Exchange
(AYSO tax ID# 95-6205398)

Santa Barbara United Fundrasing Letter 2008 (pdf)

More info can be found on our fundraising page.

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