The Wilkes University Women’s Soccer Team is anxiously anticipating its trip to Brazil in August, 2010. The trip, costing close to $2500 per player, has required a two-year extensive fundraising effort by the
Morumbi Stadium, home of Sao Paulo FC
team and coaching staff. They have raised close to $14,000 for the trip and continue to work hard to land in São Paulo on August 2. Although their itinerary is packed with activities, they will find time to relax and enjoy their surroundings. The 10-day event begins on Monday, August 2 as the team leaves Philadelphia for southeastern Brazil. Temperatures will vary between 66° to 79° F during the day, but could be a chilly 37° to 45° F in the mornings and at night.
The goal of the trip according to head coach John Sumoski was to give the current players the opportunity to see a different culture, play some soccer, and do some community service. “I had the opportunity to go to England when I was in high school and the memories of that trip stayed with me. I want the players in this program to have the opportunity to experience that,” stated Sumoski.
This will not be the first trip for Coach Sumoski and the team. In 2005, the team visited Belgium, Holland and Germany. During their time in Europe, the Lady Colonels saw many great sites and competed in four games against Belgian, Dutch and German teams. The trip paid off as the well prepared 2005 team won the Freedom Conference for the first time in their 19 year history.
The team will arrive at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport on Tuesday, August 3. São Paulo is the “gastronomic” capital of South America with its varied and sumptuous cuisine The team, along with its coaches and chaperones, will spend three days in São Paulo which has the most football (soccer) teams of any city in Brazil. Their hotel is near a park in the city and has panoramic views of São Paulo. The girls will partake of the fitness center and the indoor heated pool.
Of interest to the team is helping the less fortunate. Their trip reflects this as they will visit the favellas “slums” in Paraisopolis, a small municipality in São Paulo, to help children play soccer on day three. The favellas will undoubtedly show the contrast of economic status in Sao Paulo as well as give the team an appreciation for what they each have. The day will conclude with a visit to Morumbi Stadium, home of São Paulo FC and a match against a regional team.
Pele and his infamous bicycle kick.
Next up for the group is the city of Santos which is 60 miles southeast of São Paulo on the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean temperatures will be about 60° …..a little chilly, but the pools are heated. They will visit Estádio Vila Belmiro, which was inaugurated on October 12, 1916 and is the home of Santos FC. The stadium is also the home of Pelé. On November 21, 1964, at Vila Belmiro, Pelé scored eight goals against Botafogo, when Santos beat the opposing squad 11-0.
The girls will have a guided tour of Santos Stadium, play an afternoon match, and attend a Santos FC match at Vila Belmiro Stadium.
Last stop for our women is São Sebastião and Maresias Beach, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil and is a surfer’s paradise with big currents and huge waves. The girls will spend four days in São Sebastião. Here the team will get some free beach time, and also conduct a Futsal tournament for local youth players. Their experience with the two annual Wilkes Women’s Soccer Futsal Tournaments will come in handy. The last full day in São Sebastião will have leisure time and an afternoon match against the São Sebastião Selection. A farewell dinner will be enjoyed with this team and their officials!
The team, and their group, will depart on Wednesday, August 11th for the United States, and arrive back on home soil just five days prior to their 2010 season.