Santa Cruz native and local professional soccer star Walmer Martinez paid a special visit to Watsonville on Thursday morning to hang out with some potential talent of the future. <\/p>\n
The Monterey Bay F.C. midfielder\/forward spoke to a group of children who attended the annual Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy Program summer camp at Freedom Elementary School on July 18. <\/p>\n
Its amazing to see the community out here, the resources and all the coaches that are providing the knowledge these kids need to be a good human being, Martinez said. These skills they are being provided, the technical training, physical training is amazing. I mean, Ive been here for 10 minutes and I can feel it its exciting. <\/p>\n
Mateo Sepulveda, 8, said he just signed up for the camp this summer. <\/p>\n
Im glad to be here, he said. There are good coaches here. <\/p>\n
Martinez, 25, said these types of youth academies are what it takes to help children get to the next level, and move upwards into careers and education. <\/p>\n
When I was growing up you would see good talented players once in a while, but now you see them everywhere, he said. There is so much talent in this area. <\/p>\n
The former Soquel High, Cabrillo College and California State University Monterey Bay standout went on to tell the crowd how he grew up with a single mom and didnt know his father. <\/p>\n
We were poor and there werent a lot of resourcesBut hard work really pays off, Martinez said. I worked hard and I got good grades, and you need discipline. <\/p>\n
Also in attendance was Watsonville native Hugo Vargas-Rios, a Pajaro Valley High alum and Martinezs former teammate at CSUMB. <\/p>\n
Ive known him since I was 12, Vargas-Rios said. We were in the same academy. Hes amazing and he cares about giving back and helping others. <\/p>\n
According to a press release issued by the Aztecas, The camp is a great opportunity for youth between the ages of 6-14 to learn soccer skills and make new friends. <\/p>\n
Soccer camp participants practice and play soccer under the guidance of Aztecas Camp college trainers who are top-level, competitive players and local high school all-stars. Campers are also taught about healthy lifestyles, sportsmanship, and teamwork during fun, intensive practices and games. <\/p>\n
The camp is led by Santa Cruz County Probation Officer and Aptos High girls soccer head coach Gina Castaeda. <\/p>\n
Aptos incoming senior Anahi Maciasa team captain on the Mariners girls soccer teamhas been a camp coach with the Aztecas for the past two years. <\/p>\n
Its pretty cool that Walmer came out here today, Macias said. It definitely is a good way to motivate these people to work hard every day. These are crazy good athletes and all of us can learn something from them here today. <\/p>\n
*additional reporting by sports editor Juan Reyes <\/p>\n
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Local soccer pro Walmer Martinez visits annual Aztecas summer camp | Youth soccer - The Pajaronian<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Santa Cruz native and local professional soccer star Walmer Martinez paid a special visit to Watsonville on Thursday morning to hang out with some potential talent of the future. The Monterey Bay F.C Continue reading