J. Gregory Gerdel
MONTPELIER — The World Soccer Festival, an event created to engage players of all ages, had its biggest turnout in the two years of holding the regional festivities at Montpelier High School, Saturday, Aug. 22.
“We had 51 teams for the little games this year, quite an increase over the 35 teams that participated last year,” reported Emmanuel Riby-Williams, physical education teacher at Union Elementary School and long-time soccer player, coach, and referee.
Riby-Williams has been an organizer of the World Soccer Festival since it began in Hyde Park more than a decade ago. Participating teams came from around the central Vermont area, including Morrisville and Randolph.
The event opened with its traditional parade with players in their colorful uniforms led by the rollicking percussion music of Sambatucada, which also provided an energetic soundscape for the exhibition game. Food trucks provided international fare for the lunch break.
In addition to the round robin for kids entering grades 3–8 this fall, the event featured an adult exhibition game, Capital Soccer vs. the Central America All-Stars, who won this year’s contest 3–2.
Members of the Montpelier High School Boys soccer team served as referees for the small games, a community service coordinated by MHS coach Eric Bagley.
With odd numbers of teams in several age-group games, parents were invited to take on their own kids so every team had the full complement of three games. To avoid any risk of personal embarrassment among participating parents, the final scores in those games remain confidential, organizers told The Bridge.
