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By Stephen Press
Hometown Weekly Staff
If you've flipped on ESPN or FS1 lately, chances are you've witnessed the world's love for international soccer in the form of the Copa America or Euro Cup.
A visit to Elm Bank in Wellesley just a few months ago would have yielded a similar, albeit miniaturized scene as the Wellesley Black Rhinos, a boys U-14 BAYS team, took on a squad of visiting opponents from Winton Academy, Burleigh, UK.
The Black Rhinos, coached by Dave Schultz and assistant Paul Reed, were selected for the match after Wellesley United Soccer Club, the umbrella group of Wellesley soccer teams under which the Black Rhinos exist, was contacted by a travel agency representing Winton Academy. After some logistics and sightseeing by the Academy boys, it was game on.
"The fact that our boys played an international friendly at this age is quite remarkable," said Reed. "My son continues to talk about what a great experience it was and 'Will we play them again next year?!'"
"It was a competitive game, with the Wellesley team exhibiting superior skills and passing while the Winton boys showed great strength and physicality," said Reed when asked to describe the nature of the match. Those with experience watching the often-rough English Premiership would not be surprised by his further detail: "The physical nature of their play was impressive," he added. "They attacked 50/50 balls with passion and were very adept at using their bodies to create space for themselves."
The game itself, though, was only a small part of the experience for the Black Rhinos and their Winton Academy counterparts. It was the bonding off the field that seemed to leave the deepest impressions on all those involved. "After the game, the kids all seemed to join together," said Coach Reed about a post-match picnic and gift exchanges. "It went great! It was also great seeing general 'horse play' among the boys," he added. "After all, they are 13-14!"
Besides the shared bonds of boyhood, though, it was love for the Beautiful Game that had brought these two sides together.
"I think it was neat that one game can bring two countries together for a few-hour memorable experience," Reed mused. "I think the way that the boys, after a hard fought match, joined together to get to know one another was special to see. You would think that both teams would stay together in their own huddles - but not the case!"
"When it was all over, you couldn’t help but feel a general warmth of the encounter," said Reed, reflecting on the experience. "It was very special and something I’ll never forget - all accomplished through soccer."
