Argentina beach soccer player, Maxi Ponsetti, uses the sport to support local communities
It is essential to look to the future when you hope to improve and grow in any endeavour. At the same time, it is important to try and give something back to our local communities and sport is often the ideal way to do so.
In such an up-and-coming sport as beach soccer, the future looks especially bright and many people all over the world are playing their part by combining the sport with development in the community.
Argentine beach soccer player, Maxi Ponzetti, is one such person, who wishes to use our beautiful sport to spread happiness and progression in his hometown of Rosario.
On the 24th and 25th of May, the third edition of La Clínica de Futbol Playa, took place on the banks of the River Panará. Here, Sebastián Mastrángelo of ARF (Asociación Rosarina de Futbol Playa) and Hernán Magrini, the coach of the Argentine national beach soccer team, were amongst the guests giving talks and workshops about coaching in the beach soccer world.
As well as organising events such as this, at a grassroots level Ponzetti is investing in the future of beach soccer by helping and inspiring children in less privileged areas and situations to develop their skills to potentially become top athletes one day.
In Rosario, Argentina, beach soccer is becoming an increasingly effective way to help disadvantaged youngsters of both genders, from several of the more deprived local neighbourhoods. NUEVA OPORTUNIDAD BEACH SOCCER (New Opportunity Beach Soccer) offers over 60 boys and girls from such backgrounds the chance to practice beach soccer, exercise and, most important of all, have fun.
With assistance and support from influential people such as Sebastián Mastrángelo, Hernán Magrini and Marisa Cipolletta (president of FUNDACIÓN 11 DE OCTUBRE), there is no reason why this project cannot spread to different cities and countries all over the world.
