LA Galaxy San Diego would like say special thanks to program lead and LAGSD player Madelyn Lauro for all the work she has done in leading our amazing community program, the Champions League.
If you are not familiar with the Champions League, it is a FREE 10 week program that runs September to November offered to kids 2-18 years old who have medical and physical disabilities. All participants are paired up with a buddy (volunteer LAGSD players) to help them learn and grow as soccer players, all while having fun and getting exercise.
With the support of the club, Maddie took over from Kate McInerney, who ran the Champions League program for the previous three years. Maddie currently plays for our 2001/02 Girls Academy team and was recently selected for the Generation adidas program in which she travelled to Lyon, France to train with Olympique Lyonnais Academy coaches. Maddie will be in charge of the program again in 2018 and given the tremendous job she did this time around, we are expecting it to be even bigger and better!
Maddie commented, “This program is so special to me. I cannot explain my love for the kids or volunteers who help me grow and love the game so much.”
From left to right: Jim Barnhill, Madelyn Lauro, Gregg Cacioppo
Recreational Director, Gregg Cacioppo, commented, “I can’t say enough about how fantastic a job Maddie Lauro did running Champions League. It’s no easy feat to gather volunteers, build a curriculum, and lead a group of kids and adults yet she did it all with such grace and enthusiasm. It really just goes to show you how these kids in our program are not just great soccer players but also fantastic young adults.”
VP of Recreation, Jim Barnhill, added, “Thank you to our Champions League players and their families! Your commitment and enthusiasm, coupled with our volunteer’s encouragement and dedication, made for a rewarding season. This league is an integral part of our club’s programming to ensure every child within North County has an opportunity to the learn the game while having fun. Thank you Maddie Lauro for your leadership – you make us proud!
To view a full collection of pictures from the 2017 Champions League program please click here.
For more information on the Champions League program please click here.
