FilAm soccer champ shares passion for sport with Pinoys

One of two US soccer champions currently in the Philippines for a series of soccer clinics for Filipino youth is proud having Filipino blood. “I’m half Filipina, and I’m very proud of it," said Tiffany Roberts at the opening of the Manila Youth Clinic sponsored by the US Embassy . ] "I really wanted to give back to the Philippines because my mother, family, and the culture have done so much for me," said tiffany, whose mother was born in the Philippines. Together with Linda Hamilton, Tiffany is conducting soccer youth clinics in the Philippines to share their passion for the sport. Tiffany and Linda, in partnership with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), have just completed similar clinics in Iloilo and Bacolod and, on Thursday, kicked off the Manila clinics. US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Paul W. Jones graced the short ceremony opening the clinic and watched the excited youths learn tips and techniques from the experts. Both Tifany and Linda were on the US Women’s National soccer team, represented the country in the Olympic Games, and won medals in the women’s World Cup games. The two are coaching in the US Philippine Women’s National Team. Team member Marilou Rubio also served as a coach and mentor during the youth clinics. The visit of the two champions is part of the World Cup Soccer Sports Initiative, a unique program that brings American soccer professionals overseas to hold clinics for both youths and coaches. This US government initiative in partnership with the US Soccer Federation, aims to instill teamwork, respect, leadership among young soccer enthusiasts. It also aims to impart skills in conflict-resolution, and to show how these athletic qualities translate into life skills. The two US soccer professionals serve as Sports Envoys for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. “Today I get to relive my childhood, because I loved playing soccer (football) throughout my school years," said Jones during the opening ceremony of the Manila clinic. “The United States caught up with the rest of the world in our enthusiasm for soccer, and Tiffany Roberts and Linda Hamilton were part of that," he added. “It’s my first time in the Philippines, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to see your country," said Linda in her opening remarks at the girls’ clinic in Manila. “It’s a great opportunity to provide so many quality lessons about life through the sport of soccer, from friendship and goodwill between our countries to recognizing through sports that you can have so many opportunities as a woman. We’re really excited to work with you guys," she said. During their visit to the Philippines, Tiffany and Linda conducted clinics with Rubio for both boys and girls in Iloilo on May 21-22, in Bacolod on May 22-23, and in Manila on May 24. They also held sessions for coaches in all three areas. The US Embassy said it is proud to partner with the PFF and Philippine Women’s National Soccer Team for this event and thanked the Iloilo Football Association, Negros Occidental (Bacolod) Football Association, and Rizal Football Association for their assistance in planning this program. It also thanked to the PFF National and Regional Training Centers and Philsports Complex for hosting the clinics. - GMANews.TV