Footvolley Documentary Release: Perfecting the Footvolley

After almost a year ago, I was in Barranquilla, Colombia with Professor Liosh Alzate and the athletes of the Colombian footvolley team. It was a wonderful adventure that I am proud to showcase to the world in an 8 minute documentary entitled, Perfecting the Footvolley. Many thanks to the executive producer Yuvonne Bowens, editor Steve Young, Freedom Heights Studios, and, of course last but not least, Liosh Alzate, Gregory Hamburger, Katia Silvera, Ronald Orzco, James Jimenez, Omar Otero Ochoa, Adrian David Guerra Parejo and Cristo Anaya Sanches.

Eat Soccer Exclusive: Portuguese Futsal Player Cabral

There is a quote from one of my favorite movies, Akeelah and the Bee that goes something like this, “there are 50,000 teachers all around you.”

Although this was a piece of advice given to Akeelah, a little girl who was preparing for her moment in the spotlight at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, I believe this piece of wisdom rings true for those of us who are working to reach our highest potential in soccer, futsal, footvolley or freestyle.

While training with Coach Eric Parada and the open men’s team Grupo Recreativo Escorpiões Futebol Clube, I had the pleasure of learning from and playing with Euclides Cabral. Cabral is a highly accomplished futsal player who helped his club accomplish the impossible-climbing the ranks from the 4th division to the top national division in Portugal in less than 4 years time.

In this first clip, Cabral agrees to serve as one of our 50,000 and provides us with some excellent advice—and its sprinkled with some great footwork by a few of the guys at Grupo Recreativo Escorpiões. Enjoy!

Want an Upgrade? Visa & Abbey International Offer World Cup 2010 Trip

Already a worldwide FIFA partner, Visa is joining forces with Abbey International to offer its clients the opportunity to receive (2) tickets to the FIFA World Cup Final, pre-match hospitality,(3) nights stay at a 4 star hotel and GBP 1,500 towards return flights.
To throw your name in the pot, you must apply or request an upgrade to a Visa Platinum or Visa Infinite deferred-debit card, available with the Abbey International Gold account. The contest concludes on April 30, 2010.

T-Mobile Launches Nokia 5230 Nuron with FIFA Contest

T-Mobile USA is throwing its hat into the FIFA World Cup 2010 bonfire with a contest for its customers. It recently launched a national campaign called El Llamado del Futbol (The Calling of Soccer) which will give soccer fans a chance to win one of 10 trips for two to South Africa.

During the period of March 3-April 19, customers will have the opportunity to submit their names of hopes of landing to an all-expense-paid trip for two to South Africa in June for a five-night, six-day experience of a lifetime. To enter the contest, click on the El Llamado de Futbol hyperlink.

You can submit an entry daily, and entry will count toward the final drawing of the sweepstakes promotion.

In addition to this contest, T-Mobile will be providing FIFA merchandise, mobile content and opportunities to meet soccer legends at its retail locations. These events will be in conjunction with the release of the Nokia Nuron. To keep a tab on T-Mobile soccer events in your area, make sure you check the T-Mobile El Llamado del Futbol campaign web site.

More chances to go to South Africa-I love it!

March 3rd: Degree Men Brings the Futbol Fiesta

In support of today’s Mexican National Team friendly against New Zealand, Degree Men will kick off its street-level Futbolote Challenge at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Futbol Fiesta will take place four hours prior to match time (4:00 p.m. PST) and will include a meet and greet with legendary Mexican National Team soccer players such as Felix Fernandez, co-host of Univision's sports program Republica Deportiva and Martin "El Pulpo" Zuniga and Alberto Garcia Aspe. The former national team players will put their soccer skills to the test at the Degree Men Futbolote Challenge--a life-size version of the popular foosball table-top game where people take on the role of foos men--and show fans who is the ultimate Mexican National Team soccer legend.

Fans in Charlotte, New York, Chicago and Houston will be able to Face the Degree Men Challenge at Futbolote pre-game celebrations at Futbol Fiestas in their respective cities.

To get news on the Mexican National Team, friendly games and Degree Men Futbolote highlights as well as participate in exclusive Degree Men and Mexican National Team experiences follow the brand by visiting Facebook.com/DegreeFutbol and DegreeFutbol.com.

Chop Down the Phone Tree with RainedOut

It’s the day of the big soccer game, and the weather is less than ideal. Is the game on or not?

One dad’s frustration with calling the league hotline prompted a brilliant idea-RainedOut.

RainedOut is a free service that allows coaches and club directors to notify parents and players via text of game cancellations, field changes, volunteer requests or last minute details. Messages can be sent to phones or social network profiles.

If you are the chief organizer for your club’s activities, make sure you take a look at RainedOut before the spring season gets started. It could save everyone a lot of time and frustration.

Calendar Note: Catch Messi with Argentine Squad in US

After World Cup fever subsides, there still could be another opportunity for you to catch some live international action stateside. According to a published comments from a spokeswoman at Cardenas Marketing network, Lionel Messi alongside his Argentine teammates are slated to play in the U.S.

Although no dates are confirmed, the exhibtion game will fall during the international fixture periods when clubs are required to release players to national teams. These periods include Aug. 11, Sept. 3-7, Oct. 8-12 and Nov. 17.

Stay tuned!

ALL ACCESS REALITY: BUDWEISER'S 2010 World Cup BUD HOUSE

As mentioned on my most recent installment of Eat Soccer Radio, Budweiser is underwriting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 32 individuals to spend 5 weeks in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

As part of their sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup, Budhouse is a reality show that will allow its participants to attend World Cup matches, live in a luxurious compound of some kind in Cape Town, take a number of excursions throughout Southern Africa, participate in charity work, meet FIFA soccer/football stars, and have unprecedented backstage access.

It's my understanding that this is not a classic competition. There are likely to be some opt-in contests for prizes along the way, but this is not going to be your typical Big Brother/ Road Rules grueling- feats-of- endurance fest. It's also not currently set up to be filmed 24/7, but rather when there are games or activities occurring that production wants to cover.

If you a)know someone who's a huge soccer/football fan b)know someone who is *from* one of the 32 qualifying countries for the World Cup (listed below) and c)speaks English, please pass this along to them.

Deadline to submit your completed online application at Budhouse is Friday, February 26th. Don't miss out!!

Best Buy Has 15 Teen Spots for Coca Cola International Camp

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love when the World Cup rolls into town. It provides so much opportunity for so many people to participate in soccer activities in arenas that one would only dream of!

Most of the contests that I have mentioned to date have been for the 18+. However, I am pleased to announce that Best Buy will be selecting 15 teens to go to South Africa from June 15-20th. The fifteen soccer players will have the opportunity to participate in the 2010 Coca Cola International Soccer Camp AND attend a World Cup Match.

The @15 Soccer Camp Sweepstakes contest is open to teens between the ages of 13-16 who are members of www.at15.com. Membership on www.at15.com is free.

In order to enter, teens take the SparkFinder survey - a digital tool that helps teens identify their interests and talents - and complete the official entry form.

Brandon Culpepper Mentors Footballers on Courage

For the second episode of my international radio broadcast Eat Soccer!, I had the wonderful opportunity to introduce the listeners to one of the most courageous, motivated athletes I know. Brandon Culpepper is an American football player, and he took time out of his busy NFL schedule to give soccer players tips on how they can develop the courage to pursue their dreams to play soccer.

In my own personal soccer journey, I have received advice and mentorship from athletes, business moguls, ministers, trainers, massage therapists, bus drivers, computer geeks...you name it! I believe everyone can teach you something.

So although Brandon's football is oblong and our football is circular, the actions that he has taken, to build and act on his courage to approach NFL coaches and further his professional sports career, is something we can all learn from.

If you want to continue following Culpepper in his courageous NFL journey, follow him on his blog Culpepper's Dreams and Goals Are Reality or become his friend on Facebook.

The new episode (2) is loaded on the podcast player above. Enjoy the interview!