Blues Players Seek Host Families

Getting your child interested in soccer is even easier than driving to Bentons The Sports Shop on Swarthmore and picking up a ball and a pair of cleats. The Pali Blues Soccer Club, the local semi-pro women’s team, is looking for families to host players for the upcoming season from mid-May through the end of July. “We are especially looking for folks within walking distance of the Palisades High field for those players who do not have cars,” said Blues General Manager Jason Lemire, noting that the Blues are back-to-back W-League national champions. More than 20 Blues players have already been drafted into the new Women’s Professional Soccer League. Gina Kornfeind, whose family has hosted Blues players for the past three years, told the Palisadian-Post that there are some pleasant and unexpected rewards: “It has been the most unbelievable, rich, exciting experience. It was like having two new daughters,” said Kornfeind who has four girls ages 7 to 17. “My kids learned that if you want to be that good, you have to do more than practice two times a week.” Debbie Breech and husband Andy hosted Ella Stephan last year and will once again open their home to her. “The experience was very positive,” Debbie said. “Ella really became a part of the family.” The Breech’s home even became the meeting place for the entire Blues team before it marched in the Fourth of July parade. This year, the Blues hope to continue their relationships with the 2009 host families while reaching out to new ones. “We are proud and grateful to play for such a supportive community willing to host our players during this formative time in their careers and we are intent on our players giving back to the community and their host families as well,” Lemire said. The Pali Blues Soccer Club is a non-profit organization. Future stars of the game who are committed to finishing their college educations can compete and train with the Blues in a professional environment. Those interested in becoming a host family can call Lemire at (310) 264-4649. The team opens its third season against the Santa Clarita Blue Heat at Stadium by the Sea on Saturday, May 22 at 6 p.m. Call (310) 264-4649 or visit www.beat627.com for details.