Youth soccer coach receives national award
By Joe Ragozzino
Sports Editor
Nduna Gora has a strong passion for soccer.
When the Trinidad & Tobago native moved from Brooklyn to Irvington eight years ago, he wanted to spruce up interest in the sport.
Gora eventually founded the non-profit Our Youth Soccer Academy for youngsters ages 5-12 in the community. The program, which has been in existence for three years, consists of approximately 150 players in an in-town recreation league and 40 players in competitive/traveling teams.
Moreover, the program provides mentoring, tutoring and nutritioning guidance to help the participants become well-rounded citizens.
Gora’s tireless efforts to promote soccer were recognized by the U.S. Youth Soccer Association. Gora travelled to Dallas, Tex. on Feb. 26 to receive his award as the 2009 USYSA Region 1 adidas Boys Recreation Coach of the Year for Outstanding Service and Dedication.
Receiving the award was special to Gora. “It was a great feeling,” said Gora, who is also the junior varsity boys’ soccer coach at Irvington High School. “All the commitment that myself and my coaches have done paid off in a matter of three years, but in total of eight years when I started this vision.”
Now, Gora seems even more motivated to build the program.
The award “was more than enough to continue to do what I am doing and to help the children in Irvington to participate in this program and to engage in a positive environment,” said Gora.
But it is more than just honing soccer skills. Developing citizenship is equally important in the program. “It’s not only about soccer, but all the capabilities that makes a child a good citizen in our community,” Gora said.
One of the goals of the program is to get more girls involved. Gora has four children, including an 11-year-old daughter who plays on a boys’ team in the program because of a lack of females.
The in-town recreation league competes on Saturday mornings at 40th Street Park. The season begins April 3 and lasts eight weeks.
Gora also is involved in an after-school program at Chancellor Avenue School, where five players were able to join the traveling teams.
While in Dallas, Gora attended various workshops. One of the encouraging aspects was a movement to revitalize soccer in urban communities. Gora feels there is a strong consensus for funding for urban soccer programs, which is encouraging for his program.
But one of the pressing needs is the upgrade of facilities in Irvington. Gora has pushed hard to repair the fields in the community in an effort to be on par with the other communities, such as Livingston and Maplewood, that compete with his traveling teams.
“We need to repair these fields for the kids to play soccer,” he said.
Gora also hopes to have an indoor soccer facility that could be used year-round. Nevertheless, soccer is building in Irvington, and Gora is at the forefront.
“There is a lot of potential,” Gora said.
Sports Editor
Nduna Gora has a strong passion for soccer.
When the Trinidad & Tobago native moved from Brooklyn to Irvington eight years ago, he wanted to spruce up interest in the sport.
Gora eventually founded the non-profit Our Youth Soccer Academy for youngsters ages 5-12 in the community. The program, which has been in existence for three years, consists of approximately 150 players in an in-town recreation league and 40 players in competitive/traveling teams.
Moreover, the program provides mentoring, tutoring and nutritioning guidance to help the participants become well-rounded citizens.
Gora’s tireless efforts to promote soccer were recognized by the U.S. Youth Soccer Association. Gora travelled to Dallas, Tex. on Feb. 26 to receive his award as the 2009 USYSA Region 1 adidas Boys Recreation Coach of the Year for Outstanding Service and Dedication.
Receiving the award was special to Gora. “It was a great feeling,” said Gora, who is also the junior varsity boys’ soccer coach at Irvington High School. “All the commitment that myself and my coaches have done paid off in a matter of three years, but in total of eight years when I started this vision.”
Now, Gora seems even more motivated to build the program.
The award “was more than enough to continue to do what I am doing and to help the children in Irvington to participate in this program and to engage in a positive environment,” said Gora.
But it is more than just honing soccer skills. Developing citizenship is equally important in the program. “It’s not only about soccer, but all the capabilities that makes a child a good citizen in our community,” Gora said.
One of the goals of the program is to get more girls involved. Gora has four children, including an 11-year-old daughter who plays on a boys’ team in the program because of a lack of females.
The in-town recreation league competes on Saturday mornings at 40th Street Park. The season begins April 3 and lasts eight weeks.
Gora also is involved in an after-school program at Chancellor Avenue School, where five players were able to join the traveling teams.
While in Dallas, Gora attended various workshops. One of the encouraging aspects was a movement to revitalize soccer in urban communities. Gora feels there is a strong consensus for funding for urban soccer programs, which is encouraging for his program.
But one of the pressing needs is the upgrade of facilities in Irvington. Gora has pushed hard to repair the fields in the community in an effort to be on par with the other communities, such as Livingston and Maplewood, that compete with his traveling teams.
“We need to repair these fields for the kids to play soccer,” he said.
Gora also hopes to have an indoor soccer facility that could be used year-round. Nevertheless, soccer is building in Irvington, and Gora is at the forefront.
“There is a lot of potential,” Gora said.
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