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Game a family affair for many
David Richard, from left, Jillian, 15, Emily, 12, Kathie, and Sarah, 9, traveled from Fremont, N.H., for the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Tournament.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- Soccer is more than just a sport for the many families visiting the Tri-State this weekend.
For the Richard family, of Fremont, N.H., playing soccer is about making memories as much or more than making goals.
"We try to make it an adventure," said Kathie Richard, mother of Emily, 12, who competes as part of the Seacoast United Soccer Club on Friday afternoon.
Kathie and David Richard and their three daughters left their hometown of about 3,500 people in New Hampshire early Wednesday morning to head toward Huntington and Barboursville, W.Va., for the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships.
After more than 14 hours in the car and some stops along the way, the family arrived in the area on Thursday afternoon to attend the opening ceremonies.
"I think it's fun to travel and go to tournaments," said Emily Richard, whose last tournament took place in Cape Cod.
During this week's trip, the family stopped at Hershey, Pa., to visit the chocolate factory before staying overnight in Maryland. The family also is visiting the Tri-State area for the first time.
"It's fun because we get to stop at different places and look around the country," said Sarah Richard, 9.
Soccer is a family affair for the Richards just as it is for many families across the East Coast. Emily Richard's father, David Richard, coaches the town of Fremont's soccer team, and Kathie Richard is a team manager. Jillian Richard, 15, and Sarah Richard, also play for the Seacoast United Club Team.
"With the three girls, we're practicing and playing probably six days a week," Kathie Richard said.
Soccer has long been a popular activity for the Richards. David Richard played growing up, and he has coached both his oldest and youngest daughters. He started coaching Jillian Richard when she was just 4.
Emily Richard has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old, and she's played for Seacoast for the last three years. On Thursday, she looked forward to getting the tournament started.
"I'm kind of nervous. The teams look really good," she said.
Even considering the smallness of Fremont, David Richard said the New Hampshire town is more involved in soccer than many places. He said the Seacoast team is one of the high-end clubs.
But the greatest skill the Fremont girls have gained playing soccer is not kicking or speed. The biggest gain from the sport is the girls' growing self-esteem, David Richard said.
"It's the biggest reason why we're doing this. The girls have a lot of self-confidence in the sport and outside," he said. "For us, that's more important than anything. Whether they play in college or outside of high school is irrelevant."
