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Marie Le Page: “Our Aim is to inspire young people through sporting activities and teach them the skills and confidence that will help them change their life”

Soccerplus talked to Marie Le Page, Director of Play for Change, a foundation that works hard from London to improve the lives of children around the world, through sporting actions. And they already have one foot in Miami.

This is their story…

1. What is Play for Change?
Play for Change is dedicated to improving the lives of the most vulnerable children through the power of sport. We want to see a world where all children are equipped with the life skills that they need for their future and we believe that sport can play a significant role in a child’s social, cognitive, emotional and physical development. At Play for Change we combine sporting, life skills and coaching programs so children can play, learn and develop.

2. What do you wish other people knew about (the Non-profit)?
Play is not just for fun. It is absolutely crucial for a child’s development. There is an abundance of research on the positive effects of play on early childhood development (“ECD” – birth to 8 years old). Strong links have been demonstrated between creative play and language, and physical, cognitive and social development. Play is a precursor to a child’s ability to get involved in formal team sports and education.

3. Who are some of your most notable partners?
We work with a number of partners the world over to fund and to implement projects. In addition to Miami FC we work with a number of influential partners and donors such as EHF (European Handball Federation) and Jupiler Pro League in Europe and a number of very talented local partners such as GAN (Global Action Nepal) and Reach and Teach who help us structure and deliver our programmes.

4. Tell us about the soccer programs you are working on developing in the U.S. with the Miami Football Club.
We are currently working on developing the “Kick It” program. A soccer initiative that is committed to help young people in underserved communities, by supporting community soccer-based youth development programs in the area. The programs will be supporting children development an active and healthy lifestyle while development their personal growth through trained coaches/mentors. We are partnering with local communities to create cost-effective, long-term initiatives that meet each community’s youth-development needs and provide safe environments where kids thrive.

Marie Le Page, Director of Play for Change, said “We are thrilled to be partnering with Miami FC who will be actively taking part in helping to enrich more young people’s lives with new experiences. Enabling opportunities for vulnerable young people to access sport is invaluable for developing confidence, skills and knowledge”.

“We rebuild playgrounds so children can play in safe and stimulating environments away from harm; we provide workshops so children learn the life skills they need for happy and healthy futures”

“Our sports and media network is full of inspirational people and the programme provides fantastic exposure to the world of sport, community development and female empowerment”

“Estamos encantados al asociarnos con el Miami Football Club quien activamente tomara parte en ayudar a enriquecer la vida de más personas jóvenes a través de nuevas experiencias”

Marie Le Page, Director de Play for Change

NUMBERS
Where: Miami, Belgium, UK, Italy, Bali and Nepal and looking
at expanding our reach in Europe and Asia.
How many: PFC has reached over 4,000 children.

WHO IS SHE
Marie Le Page
Career: Commercial strategy and business management – both in the corporate world and in the non-profit sector. As Director, she is responsible for the quality and growth of Play for Change and for designing programmes which deliver measurable social impacts for children and young people.

Experience: PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola Entreprises, The World Bank/IFC and WWF Italy.

Sports: water sports addict. When not on the water, Marie is a cycling enthusiast and has recently cycled up Mont Ventoux.

The moment of truth is approaching and the FYSA State Cup 2016 advances to the semifinals: Each division, both boy and girls, has already defined with exciting games the teams that will continue to the finals.

U13 BOYS
EVEN
The teams OCYS 02/03B PRO ACADEMY, FLORIDA RUSH 02 RUSH BOYS, KENDALL SC 02 WHITE y FLORIDA ELITE 02/03 ELITE move forward easily. The Orlando -OCYS- team’s goals suggest a very tight match against the RUSH team, very strong at the offensive.

U18 MEN
UNKNOWN
In a very competitive division, 18-year-old boys will face in a division with no clear prediction. FLORIDA RUSH 97 RUSH BOYS, B3CCS CLAY COUNTY SC 97 RANGERS BLAC, CORAL GABLES TOROS TOROS 97/98 y C1FCT RANGERS will be face to face next May 21.

U15 GIRLS
SUSPENSE
In this division, the SUNRISE STING 00/01 girls will face the Fort Meyers C5NFM NORTH FORT MYERS SC FLORIDA LADY KNIGHTS 00/01 RED team, while the SPACE COAST UNITED 00/01 GIRLS TRAVEL RED team is ready to the grand finale.

U17 GIRLS
GOAL SCOARERS
SUNRISE STING 98/99, FORT LAUDERDALE FC 98/99 GIRLS, C1TBU TAMPA BAY UNITED PREMIER GIRLS 98 y FKK 98/99 FLORIDA KRUSH BLACK arrive to the semifinals after beating their opponents. 19 goals among the four teams talk about the great definition skills of these girls.

Gabriel Paniagua began his way to soccer at four years old with the support of his father, although he wasn’t a big soccer fan, he encouraged him to work to achieve his dreams in the sport.
At 18, Gabriel began to fulfill his dreams, and he is already part of the U-18 National Team. And he has several offers from different Universities. This young midfielder is a very complete player: he defends very well and he also scores goals, and because of playing in this position is a great admirer of Andres Iniesta, the midfielder of Barcelona.

How do you feel about being part of the U.S. National Team?
It is an unforgettable experience, when you’re in front of millions of people representing your country is something so great that it cannot be expressed in words.

Since when have you been part of the U.S. National Team?
The first time they called me was in the summer of 2015. I have already played several times with them, in California, Sweden and Florida.

How did you get scouted in soccer?
They saw me in the “Showcase of the Academy’s Playoff”, of my team Kendall Soccer Coalition. The U-18 coach observed me and called me to be part of the team.

What others dreams do you have with soccer?
I want to be a professional player and play in Europe.
But I am also ready to go wherever soccer takes me. And continue on the U.S. National Team.

What would you say to others boys, who also want to fulfill their dreams?
The first thing is to dream, but you also have to work hard, go to training several days a week. You too have to train by yourself when there’s no training with your team.

How do you manage time between studying and training?
I believe there’s a balance between soccer and studying. I’m devoted to soccer but I’m also a good student. I like to study. My priority on weekends is soccer, if there are games, I concentrate on that. And leave social life for later.

How do you prepare physically?
I go to the gym 2 or 3 times. On Monday after the matches, we have a break and I fill my bathtub with ice cubes: it helps me recover.

What are your eating habits?
I personally care a lot for my feeding. In soccer
You can’t be eating ice cream or fried food every day. One day before the game I drink 5 bottles of water and after matches I drink chocolate milk.

WHO IS HE
1. Name: Gabriel Paniagua
2. Age: 17 years old
3. Where do you study?: Ransom Everglades School
4. Favorite international team: Barcelona
5. Favorite international player: Andrés Iniesta
6. Favorite movie: Focus
7. Book: Great Gatsby
8. Singer: Drake
9. Song: Headlines
10. Awards earned:
Sports: Called to play with the U-18 U.S. Team.
Academic: Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, French Honor Society.
11. One word that defines your personality: Responsible
12. Something you hate: negative people
13. Favorite food: French fries with beaf
14. Your best friends: My soccer team
15. Pet: A dog….named Mikey
17. Family: Alfonso (Dad), Cynthia (Mom), Monica (Sister), y Andrea (Sister)
18. Besides soccer you like: Playing tennis, school, and enjoying time with friends and family.
19. Favorite place: Casa de Campo, La Romana. (Dominican Republic)

“My Kendall teammates are very proud of my triumphs. They support me a lot!”

“Gabriel is a complete midfielder, defends and reads the game very well and he also scores goals. He is organized in his way of playing and very serious about training. He’s an excellent student who comes from a spectacular family”

Matias Asorey
Academy Director Kendall SC

The creative player of the team has different abilities and an extra responsibility on his team. And although his role has changed, the “10” is as relevant as before. Jaime Duarte speaks, with the experience of having played in two World Cups-1978 and 1982- representing Peru.

Many say that the popular number 10, that different player who carries the handle to make the team win, no longer exists. However, players who have that special talent will always be highlighted, whether they play a little further back and have defensive duties, or play more glued to the wing to run through the soccer field. The “hook” or number “10” is a player in a position to second-line forward; he has to manage the entire front attack in his position.

THE 10, IN THE VOICE OF A WORLD CUP PLAYER

Today we talk that the height of a world class soccer player should be 5-foot-8 and up. But still, it can be short, but maybe not so skinny. The use of both feet effectively is ideal. “Specialize with one leg first, and later with the other one,” comments to Soccerplus Jaime Duarte, who was a player with the National Team of Peru in the World Cups in 1978 and 1982. We must recognize that to talk about a “10” is good to compare with those before now, and the types of hook that today make a difference in world soccer.

“We have monsters like Messi and Ronaldo, who are creative and carry the team on their shoulders, but they are not only to attack. When they lose the ball, they will look for it too, of course in the sector in which they are “, continues saying the World Cup player.

“But it is not like before that the “10 “were marked. The “Pibe” Valderrama was a quick mind and feet player, but perhaps not a fast running player. Messi is fast with the ball, he is explosive while Cristiano Ronaldo is faster without the ball, I think he is more a striker”, finishes Duarte.

THE BEST #10 OF THIS SEASON
According to the FIFA ranking, prepared in 2015, the best “10” of all times was Pele, from Brazil, followed by Maradona, from Argentina. In the list they are also Totti from Italy, Riquelme from Argentina, Pibe Valderrama from Colombia, Lothar Matthaus from Germany, Rivelinho, Zico y Tostao from Brazil.
Currently, there is no doubt the best “10” is Lio Messi. Also, stand out James Rodríguez from Real Madrid, y Zlatan Ibrahimovic from PSG of Paris.