Serving the Beautiful Game

Zidane Disaster By Carrie Serwetnyk

Dangerous Yo Mama Games By Travor Kew plays Soccer By Stephanie Hawco

Countdown

freekickmag.com | Aug 2009

Kitsilano’s Sports Bar Contents

4 Contributors

5 Editor's Note

6 World Cup: Less than one year to go By Michael Oldham

8 Yo Mama Plays Soccer By Stephanie Hawco

10 Red Card Yellow Card Photo by Damien du Toit

12 Zidane Disaster By Carrie Serwetnyk

16 Dangerous Games: Soccer and Landmines in Northwestern Cambodia By Trevor Kew

18 Soccer Shorts

19 Recipe: Fruit Crisp By Heather McLean

21 Kidz Section

22 SoccerScopes

Cover Photo by Neil McCartney / The Citizen

2 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 3 Free Kick Team

Fernando Fei, Design & Production Martin Bazyl, Photography Serving the Beautiful Game Raised in Argentina, Fernando always jokes Martin is a freelance photographer, with a passion Editor’s Note that football runs through his veins. His passion, for the game that unites all. Based in , he knowledge, and design talent gives Free Kick its face. hopes to be a part of a rise and breakthrough in the Editor: Carrie Serwetnyk Carrie Serwetnyk, nation where football is the number one played sport. [email protected] First Woman Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame

Design & Production: Fernando Fei [email protected] Lindsay Marsh, Editorial Assistant Neil Humphrey, Webmaster elcome back. With all the talk about the Winter

Equipped with a BA in English Lit and a Sustainable Neil is a passionate local coach and suit in the football Olympics in 2010, it seems a pretty important event Photography: Goga Bayat Community Development Post-Bacc Diploma, community. His multi-talented skills in competitive happening next summer has been way overlooked [email protected] Lindsay spent 3 years teaching and volunteering in sailing and the beautiful game gave him a compass to in our part of the world. Everywhere else on the Japan and SW. Asia. Her passion for sports led her to travel extensively around the world. Here at home, he planet, the big news is the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, June many muddy games of soccer with boys and girls at consults in marketing, PR, Internet sectors and all the Feroze Hamid W a children’s home in Thailand. www.go-mad.org. latest soccer junkie info. Beware Voyageurs! [email protected] 11th to July 11th 2010. An African nation has never before hosted football’s biggest tournament. Mailing Address: Suite 128 Contributors 1917 West 4th, Avenue Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and I am always , BC, V6J 1M7 amazed to know that over 160 eligible countries participate in Trevor Kew competitive matches in five regions over two years to qualify for Trevor is a Canadian teacher and writer based in Advertising Inquiries: 604.551.7006 32 spots in the World Cup. Canada has only qualified once in 80 Leighton Buzzard, England and spends most of [email protected] his time playing, coaching or watching football. years: during their ‘86 run in Mexico. Of course, our struggles are Trevor supports Watford and United. Editorial Inquiries: 604.551.7006 an entirely different story, but pointing this out is a reminder of He claims to have fouled strikers on three [email protected] the magnitude of participation involved in earning the right to play continents. Red Card! in the big dance. I often imagine the logistics required for each Piper Bradley Printing: Teldon Print Media country, especially in poor African nations or islands in the Pacific, Anna is a 17 year old Vancouver artist who is to find the resources to pool together coaches, players, equipment, crazy for cartooning…and just a bit crazy in playing fields and transportation to compete against neighbouring general. She migrates around the city in her Free Kick is a free publication. It is published rivals. How great it must be to cheer for your home country. cardboard starving artist box doing art for food monthly and distributed to retail soccer stores, and stealing your single socks from laundry stadiums, sporting retailers, communiy centers, Obviously we have a lot to learn before we are able to one day machines. and many pick up locations throughout the greater Vancouver area. For more information fully understand this experience. Michael Oldham please contact [email protected] or visit our Mike is a soccer journalist from Edinburgh. website at www.freekickmag.com. As great as the Olympics will be in Vancouver, only a percentage Along with Scottish haggis, he eats up anything of the world has tasted a snowflake. Its time we also tap into the to do with the beautiful game. He is the buzz happening everywhere else. producer of football phone-in radio show and Publisher’s Note: is presently writing a book on the MLS. www. insidesoccerusa.blogspot.com In addition, we wanted to respond to the tour Why “Serving the Beautiful Game?” that took place in June and July. Our publication gave credit and Stephanie Hawco As a magazine we have the ability to give a much needed attention to the man known here in Canada more for his infamous Stephanie Hawco grew up writing in acknowledgement to individuals who contribute their head butt than his exceptional career as a World Champion. We Newfoundland Now, she’s a Vancouver mom. energy to soccer. Our mission is to serve the players, were also proudly involved as an organizer and sponsor of a free, She lives with her new little person, Oliver and fans, parents and coaches who want information and her Cornish husband, who is forever reminding support for their passion. two-day camp that gave 100 kids the opportunity to meet Zidane. her that “it’s football, not soccer.” However, the tour itself received significant criticism due to the Brazilian star Pele’s most renowned quote was when questionable practices of promoter Achene Adlani, so much so that he called “football” the “beautiful game.” The quote we felt it was necessary to define our involvement in the event. Heather McLean speaks for itself to all those who have played soccer or admired it in the stands. It hits the mark between how We strive to be a positive publication, but so many people were Heather's specialty is healthy and alternative it looks on the outside and how it feels on the inside profoundly affected by the mismanagement of the event that we vegan creations. She lives in East Vancouver. playing it. have exercised our freedom of expression to air this viewpoint.

We feel the combination to “Serve the Beautiful Game” matches our ambitions as a magazine. Our joy for the game remains with our kid’s section, funnies, Soccerscopes and stories on our soccer mom and the way the beautiful game is saving lives in Cambodia.

Enter to win tickets to P.19see Copyright © 2007. No portion of this publication may Serving the Beautiful Game

Dale Mitchell Serving the Beautiful Game by The power of Be in the Game! As always, we wish you the best in your game. Football in Women’s National Team: Africa C h i n l o n e Swept under the Turf be reproduced in whole or in part, without the written by Ibrahim Dabo by Carrie Serwetnyk Mystic Ball Exclusive by Greg Hamilton Free Kick is distributed throughout Greater Vancouver area to a readership Subscription “Pick Up in Ghana” FIFA Women's by Rob Taylor July Issue July

. World Cup CHINA 2007 England: June 2008 Issue June . permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Free Free Exclusive U20 . Coverage Spectators for August / September August Issue (1/2) . World Cup by Carrie Serwetnyk Euro 2008 of 42,000. Partnered with The Province, our magazine is now available by Trevor Kew

Coverage Free .

min Canadian Women's National Team:

30 www.freekickmag.com www.freekickmag.com Interview online in the sports section. Approximately 300,000 viewers visit The Interview Dreams Realized 30’Nick Dasovic Christine by Carrie Serwetnyk 5 issues for $19.99 Canada U20 Assistant Coach www.freekickmag.com Sinclair Province daily. We are also at a number of the Vancouver Whitecaps home Free Kick Magazine is an : : Beckham Hot Yoga with The Tattoos, the Tan and the Love him or Hate Him environmentally friendly publication. (includes postage) Spice Girl Wife games, including Family Nights with our Free Kick Wall in the Fun Zone. Come test your shot! Printed on recycled paper. All payments by cheque. contact: [email protected] 4 free kick August 2009 604-551-7006 August 2009 free kick 5

Story by Michael Oldham WORLD CUP: South Africa 2010 LESS THAN ONE YEAR TO GO

atching the recent Cup has helped answer many of record five times. ’s men look qualifying section, while team-mate Confederations Cup and these queries, though the blasts of the to have finally moved on from the is hoping his Ivory Coast admiring the style of Spain, vuvuzela – the horns that were heard 2002 winning generation of the R’s – side can also make it two tournaments the determination of the United almost incessantly throughout some Ronaldo, , and in a row after an impressive showing in StatesW and the overall class of Brazil, we were matches – will be a concern for anyone – with a few new faces, 2006. No African team has ever made reminded of the romance, excitement and sheer worried about the atmosphere at the including Real Madrid’s maestro Kaka, it past the quarter-final stage at a World unpredictability of international football. games. Milan’s teenage goal-scoring sensation, Cup, despite Pele’s prediction that one Alexandre Pato, and Confederations would win it by the year 2000. With less than twelve months to go until the Players, coaches, fans and journalists Cup top scorer, Luis Fabiano. entire world’s attention switches to South alike pleaded for the plastic trumpets, In CONCACAF, Canada is long gone. Africa and the Soccer City Stadium in which have become a tradition in Another of the consistent challengers, Costa Rica, Mexico and the US appear Johannesburg, it was hopefully just a taste South African soccer, to be outlawed. Argentina have struggled slightly destined to pack their kit south. The "El of things to come at World Cup 2010. And Liverpool & Spain Xabi in qualifying, losing four games so Tri recently hammered the US 5 - 0 in Japan, South and North Korea, Australia, the Alonso said: “I think they should be far, including two at high altitude in the Gold Cup. Netherlands and host, South Africa, can already banned. They make it very difficult for Bolivia (6-1) and Ecuador (2-0). Head look forward to seeing their names in the draw the players to communicate with each coach Maradona faces a challenge And in the Middle East, Bahrain face for the finals, which takes place on December other and to concentrate.” to get his midfield passing like they Saudi Arabia with the winners taking 4th. did in the group stages of 2006. on New Zealand for a place in the draw, But while FIFA have announced Spain, with Barcelona’s dynamic duo though whoever makes it through is Traditionally, the better the host nation they will discuss the future of the and Iniesta at their heart, have likely to land a difficult group thanks to performs, the more successful the tournament. vuvuzela, FIFA’s President Sepp Blatter taken Argentina’s mantle as the best the seeding process. And South Africa, who are the only automatic maintained that he wants the World Cup passing team in world football, and the qualifiers since 2006 winners Italy were forced to reflect African traditions, not Western European champions will be among the The next couple of months will see the to qualify in order to defend their title, will European ones. “It’s noisy, it’s energy, favourites to lift the Jules Rimet trophy. qualifying process completed and the hope to fare better than they managed during rhythm, music, dance, drums”, he said. final 32 teams announced. It represents the Confederations Cup, which they also “This is Africa. We have to adapt a In Europe, World champions Italy an important time for any players hosted. little.” will qualify if they beat Georgia and looking to secure a place in their Bulgaria in September, though their national team’s squad for 2010, and A win over New Zealand sandwiched between The good news is that the stadiums look ageing squad might need an injection will see excitement grow as each nation a goalless draw with Iran and a 2-0 defeat to on course to be completed comfortably of youth in the upcoming season if they takes its final steps to the World Cup. Spain did little to impress, and former Bafana by the deadline of December this year. want to retain the trophy. Bafana star, Lucas Radebe, has suggested It bodes well that the only outstanding With four years between tournaments, they may need to look at bringing one of complaint that lags over from the One team who have youth on their there is just enough time to start their biggest names out of international exile. Confederations Cup surrounds the side is Germany, with their U21 side forgetting how special the World Cup Benni McCarthy, who was not picked for the vuvuzela. Most importantly, the South recently crowned European champions. really is. But with the prospect of Confederations Cup squad by head coach Joel Africans are determined that the World Several members of that team, including seeing the likes of Kaka, Leo Messi Santana, has played in two World Cups and Cup will be remembered for the right Schalke’s Mesut Ozil who starred at the and Fernando Torres in action for their finished top scorer at the African Nations Cup reason; the football that’s on show. tournament, will be knocking on the countries, plus the inevitable birth of in 1998. Former Leeds United captain Radebe door of Joachim Low’s senior side if a new star or two, the countdown to warned: “We need McCarthy at the World South American teams always tend to and when they qualify. South Africa is well and truly on. Cup.” fare well on the global stage, and their strongest challenge is likely to come Chelsea’s Michael Essien will be It is not only on the pitch where South Africa from Confederations Cup winners looking to lead Ghana to their second faces problems, with the occasional question Brazil who have lifted the trophy a successive finals in the African mark still hanging over their preparations for the finals. The success of the Confederations 6 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 7 Yo Mama Plays Soccer

zoom down the street (perpetually ten minutes late) all in the spirit Soccer Mom his spring I became the one thing I had always feared the of friendly competition, resocialization, personal freedom and most: a soccer mom. Before you get the wrong idea, you sanity. should know that I don’t live in the suburbs, I don’t vote conservative and I don’t drive a mini-van...yet. Perhaps I I admit to feeling like such an exhausted zombie that this whole Tshould rephrase: I am a mom who plays soccer. A soccer playing mom. process often seemed like too much trouble. Running my jalopy of A ball-kicking, grass-stained, offensive, defensive tornado of flailing a body around a soccer pitch was generally the last thing I wanted limbs - with a newborn baby. Hence, a soccer mom. to do at the end of a long day. The fear of coming home to an inconsolable child was always in the back of my mind, but every When I found out some girlfriends were joining Britannia’s 7 v. 7 ladies time I showed up for soccer I never regretted it. Some weeks I was league I figured it would be a good opportunity to a) get back in shape a winner; some weeks I scored twice. Sometimes I dropped the after gaining 60 pounds in pregnancy b) get out of the house and c) ball, sometimes my shots missed the mark and sometimes I spent socialize with people who speak and walk and who don’t expect me to the entire time running up and down the pitch humming “Baby wipe their bums for them. Thus, after a 15 year hiatus from the sport, beluga in the deepblue sea...”. At least once I had to leave early to Story & photos by soccer and I have rekindled the old flame. I am still as unlikely to win avoid drowning my teammates in el Rio de Leche and another time Stephanie Hawco the Golden Foot award as I was in 1992 (when I cried for hours after someone pointed out that I had some mysterious white chunky being cut from the ‘C’ team) and my body is barely - just barely - in stuff on my shoulder, but one thing was consistent: I always felt working order, but the spark is still there. better going home after playing soccer. My body had the chance to relieve necessary tension, my mind never had to think beyond the Yo Mama The first time back out on the pitch my entire childhood came back ball and the moment and my psyche was saved by the chance to let to me: the smell of the grass, that perfect sound of laces and ball loose with some super-fun, athletic women. Oh, and as a bonus, I connecting with just the right amount of force, the freeing euphoria of lost some of that 60 pounds. physical exertion, the camaraderie of teamsports. The only thing that Plays Soccer brought me back to my present-day reality was - quite literally - gravity. Maybe I won’t be needing that stomach-bra after all. Instead, I will The last time I’d run was for the toilet with morning sickness sometime invest in some fancy, new, golden cleats so next season I won’t just back in my first trimester. After birthing a belter of a baby boy (I believe be Soccer Mom but Super-Unstoppable Soccer Mom! “strapping” was the term the obstetrician used) it has become clear that some of my ‘parts’ are no longer made for running. Let’s just say that, if I were an old car, my rusted underbelly might be ready to fall out. And every time I jump I pee a little. And maybe I need a bra for my saggy newstomach.

My idea of fun is “soccer lite” and my level of skill discomforting. At least I have an excuse, I thought. I made a point of mentioning my three month old baby as much as possible. Most of the ladies showed true sportsmanship by offering support, encouragement and congratulations. Some threw elbows and stole the ball from me. To my surprise, however, I left the first practice unembarrassed and unintimidated, with that sweet, almost-forgotten endorphin rush and a feeling I had not had since junior high.

That Olympic-sized glow lasted the whole ten minute walk home, until I returned to a wailing baby boy in my defeated husband’s loving, but boobless, arms. I frantically ripped off my sportsbra only to discover that baby doesn’t like the salty taste of sweaty nipples and then I realized too late that one should most certainly remove their cleats before jumping onto a bed. With a few adept, multitasking mom-of-the- year moves, however, I avert disaster and suddenly am simultaneously feeding my son and pulling my shinguards and socks off each leg with the opposite big toe. Soccer mom is back in the game.

And so this tango ensued: every Thursday and Sunday feed baby, haul on cut-off maternity-jogging-pant shorts, stuff sportsbra with enough pads to prevent major leakage, fish through husband’s sock drawer for old rugby socks that fit over shinguards, lace up second-hand cleats and Congratulations Whitecaps!

8 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 9 e interviewd folks about their "nightmare" dating moments. Just Wfor fun, you get to be the referee in this scenario. Does this person get a red card, yellow card or would they be a perfect match for your team?

He eats oranges during half time commercials. It makes him feel like he’s in the game. Sandra, Coquitlam

After we broke up, she sent my very first jersey to Good Will. Matt, Vancouver

He told me his ex-girlfriend was a great player and they always watched games together. And he asked why I don’t want to get up at 6am on a Saturday mornings to watch some English league. Frankly, I don’t give a damn about soccer. Kris, Delta

We have matching Man U pajamas. Lisa & Dave, Seattle

He wasn’t interested in me until I told him I have soccer cable. Laura, Toronto

After our third date, I was expecting a kiss and he high fived me goodnight. Michelle, Burlington

10 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 11 occurred around the same time 90,000 fans “We were directed to place advertising to to document arguably one of the best players turned up at a Real Madrid event just to promote the event and we had a tremendous in history. watch superstar Cristiano Ronaldo show off team involved. He brought us a cheque Zidane Disaster his new uniform after signing a world record that was not negotiable – it didn’t have Zidane did come toVancouver and he was Story by Carrie Serwetnyk transfer fee of 142 million dollars (CAD). enough money to clear. He said, the money a thrill to see. His touches on the ball, his Photos by Martin Bazyl and Emmanuel Rousseau Zidane had once held the world record for a was coming but it never came. He never movement, his presence and his demeanour parallel trip to Real Madrid where he led the reimbursed us for the ads and he stalled. were magical. Even though you may not squad to a UEFA Championship in 2002. Unfortunately we got brought in under have known anyone else on the field (unless 've never actually seen a train wreck, have thought when he came up with the especially since his parents share the same false pretenses. I thought I was going to be he was your cousin or neighbour,) it didn’t except for photos in newspapers of idea to convince Zidane to take his family heritage. By the time the tour turned to Achene’s on board to see it through, I was confident necessarily matter, Zidane stole the show. Amtrak derailments or toy-like train on vacation to Canada and play in a few hometown of Vancouver, a lawsuit seeking to in our ability to promote, organize and cars flipped over on their bellies in charity matches in Montreal, Toronto Unfortunately, in Toronto, Zizou played $70,000 in damages had already been find sponsors for the event. If the game As a publication, we organized and far-flungI countries. When I was growing and Vancouver. It was a great idea. He to a half empty stadium at BMO field. In filed by Donnelly & Associates, who were happened, we would at least get paid from sponsored a free camp for 100 kids in the up in Mississauga, we had the great planned to bring in top stars to play the Montreal, 15,000 watched an 11 nothing originally hired by Adlani to market the tour the box office. But by May 15, he took East side at Britannia Community Centre evacuation of 250,000 people when a train Impact, TFC and the Whitecaps. The tour drubbing to a squad of police officers. in Vancouver and Toronto. Owner John us out and we ended up not involved. He where Zidane thankfully came out. It was carrying chlorine gas exploded near our would be a sensation. Anywhere else on There were no sponsors, there were no Donnelly stated, “This was the worse event wanted to do it all by himself and the event certainly an honour to have him spend time backyard. Our family was one of the few earth, club teams and associations would be operation was dodgy.” with the children and to connect with the who hunkered down at home and watched falling over each other for the opportunity. media. We are grateful to everyone who it on TV. The stadiums would be packed. By July 1st, Zidane appeared to have hurt made it happen and we are proud to have his back picking up his three year old boy given our best to the community. Now, I see I was a small part of one of the But not in Canada. At least, not under during the Canada Day Fireworks, just biggest promotional train wrecks in sport Adlani, who in the end appeared to have three days prior to the July 4th match at BC But for Adlani, the tour was surely a disaster. that I am aware of happening in Canada. If the organizational abilities of fruit flies in a Place where less than 8000 fans had bought Often he claimed to have mortgaged his you followed the disaster of the “Zinedine kitchen. The concept “disorganized” is too tickets. A hot July evening, a cavernous house to gain our sympathy, but it is difficult Zidane and Friends Canadian Tour,” you complimentary with the word “organized” concrete bubble home to 50,000 seats - to know the truth after a chorus of businesses will know what I am talking about. In as its root. Scam artist was a description anyone could see the match was headed to a and individuals have charted trails of lies or the end, it was the “no friends tour” often used by many. lonely disaster. Although we would all love deceptions. In retrospect, we can admire a with plenty of fans feeling slighted after to believe ZZ was indeed hurt, his timing man for having a dream but not if it takes promises of superstar appearances such as No one bought the idea. By the time was unfortunately compromised and many advantage or hurts others along the way. The Samuel Eto'o, , Christian Zizou was about to play the final match at people wondered if it were true. sign maker who laboured on still hoping to Vieri, , Gennaro Gattuso Swanguard Stadium in Burnaby on July be paid or at least get to meet Zidane (he was and former Italian coach, Arrigo Sacchi. 12th, Adlani was literally selling tickets From a promoter’s plot, the injury gave the promised ZZ would come to his house for Worse, there is a long line of confused and out of an empty store front on Kingsway perfect excuse to dump BC Place where a dinner) in the end said, “I feel bad about the scammed business supporters who are still and Victoria in Vancouver. There had not $250,000 deposit was originally required. way I was treated. I was the only one who demanding money promised to them, and been a single ad in any of the newspapers The initial dream of hosting Zidane in the helped him. He never appreciates people filing lawsuits. “It was a dog’s dinner,” for over two months. The only hint that stadium seemed to be a calculated risk after who help him. He has totally humiliated me. quipped British fan John Biermingham ZZ might be showing up appeared through the Vancouver Whitecaps hosted a full crowd I am still hoping to be paid. He was a bit of who didn’t even know the Vancouver game homemade signs and posters that were for David Beckham and the LA Galaxy a a friend.” had been rescheduled to Swanguard. This scattered throughout the city at traffic year prior. Surely, Adlani’s fantasy saw was one of the more flattering comments lights like promotions for local garage Vancouverites flocking to see the World Cup Its not surprising that even Zidane was from ticket buyers. Rants from disgruntled sales or charity dances. The tour title “& MVP Zinadine Zidane. But by the beginning overheard asking Adlani for money for fans who bought expensive seats are all Friends” was literally being peeled off of July when sales were skinny and few his services at a business meeting in the over the internet and too graphic to print. signs days before the match. Amin, the on board, the $4500 rent for Swanguard Bayshore hotel lobby. According to John “I'd like to just say **** YOU to the owner of the sign making shop Somartech Stadium became more attractive, realistic Russel, his bilingual wife translated the organizers of Zidane and Friends for over- on Kingsway was one of the last to realize and a potential road out of a giant loss. French conversation with Zidane asking for hyping and under-delivering. It was like he probably wouldn’t be paid after months his contractual agreement “You don’t have paying to see Guns N Roses in concert and of “wanting to do the right thing for the If only BC Place would give back the the $400,000 do you? He repeatedly stated, Axel showing up with a local highschool game, the right thing for Zidane.” Luckily deposit in time. And Ticketmaster would “I’m not going to go down for this.” band.” for him, he collected revenue from tickets refund all of the fans who bought a seat at his shop and he is still hopeful Adlani for the July 4th game and tell them about Yes, even the great one - who doesn’t need Let’s put ZZ aside. He is a great athlete, a will come through with the rest. Altruism the new date at Swanguard without Adlani the cash, or fame or anything that we can three time FIFA Player of the year, a World was a compelling enough reason to get needing to pay the sales fees. With offer but a peaceful country where he can Cup Champion MVP. After his infamous involved for many followers who believed little support, Adlani blasted the soccer be a bit anonymous was left feeling like the head butt and past glories, he is arguably Adlani’s song about no support from the community blaming everyone but himself. rest of us – used, mismanaged and definitely one of the most well known athletes on CSA, the Provincial Associations and What he didn’t realize is that his karma perturbed - a bittersweet ending for him and the planet. He is also an ambassador for the professional clubs. With countless would lead him to failure: to cheat and to all of us who love the game. the UN. If you wanted to sell tickets to stories of screw ups in Canadian soccer, deceive well wishers ended in derailment. a match he was playing in or promote a Achene could have been seen as a hero With a long list of broken promises, legal Hopefully, Zidane will at least consider mug with his photo on it, you would make for overcoming the odds: an Algerian threats over the years for unpaid bills, the returning here for a vacation one day. Surely a million. Your grandmother could do it immigrant succeeding in Canada outside more seasoned Vancouverites didn’t bother we can prove to him that we can be better without knowing how to send an email. the system and the old boys club. His experience of my career. We are extremely getting on Adlani’s Zidane train at all. In the hosts. story was believable - for awhile - and I souvenirs to buy and there were none of disappointed and we have not been paid. We end, around 4000 fans made it to Swanguard, At least that is what Achene Adlani must suppose even the great Zidane was taken in the other promised players. All of this have suffered serious loss and damage to our ticket prices had descended from $30 to $20 reputation.” and there was barely a mention in the media 12 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 13 Photo by Glenn Baglo / The Vancouver Sun

Free Kick Magazine and Scrimmageville Soccer offered a free two day camp for 100 children with Zinedine Zidane at Britannia Oval in the East Side. children were maimed in the same incident. Since 1996, SOS has worked in a number of countries afflicted by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), including Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Cambodia.

Before that day, I had assumed, naively but perhaps understandably, that landmine casualties simply occur when someone is unlucky enough to step on a mine. But as with so many far-off horrors in this world, the reality of landmines and UXO in Cambodia is more complex. Firstly, for the people living in Battambang and its surrounding provinces, it is a horror that is anything but far-off. As a result of Cambodia’s more than thirty years of conflict, much of the area was abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle due to the sheer amount of dangerous material. Now, as populations expand, poverty drives farmers to take chances and clear new plots of land. De-mining operations are painfully slow and are only

Story by Trevor Kew Trevor by Story Neil Richards by Photos able to clear about 10 percent of the new land.

“Many of these casualties are preventable,” explains Stephen Sonderman, head director of SOS in Cambodia. “But poverty definitely makes it more of a challenge. Many of these people Dangerous Games: depend on scrap metal for extra income. Often, they are willing to take a chance. Just three weeks ago, a kid picked up Soccer and Landmines in Northwestern Cambodia a landmine and put it in his bicycle basket. Before he got far, it exploded. As with so many of these incidents, he was not killed, but sustained injuries that will affect him the rest of his he road is rusty brown, lined with mango trees Our destination is Plou Maesh primary school, about life.” and ramshackle houses on stilts. In the distance, an hour’s drive outside the city of Battambang in Tverdant hills rise dramatically, some dotted with northwestern Cambodia. We pull into a courtyard After the soccer session at Plou Maesh school, the children temples andpagodas, some simply impenetrable ringed with battered old school buildings. There are sat on the ground, eyes on the large laminated posters in the walls of green. two soccer goals with endless fields of mango trees coaches’ hands. And as the coaches tried to convey their combining this education with the worldwide passion for behind each. serious message, and Sokhorn translated, I realized something soccer. The children receive T-shirts sporting Cristiano A blaring horn shatters the illusion – a huge grey about the danger these kids faced. Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney holding warning signs about truck is heading straight for us, swaying as it skips Scores of boys and girls of all ages pour out of their mines and receive free coaching, free soccer balls and free across deep potholes and ruts. Its mountain of bulging classrooms, kicking off their sandals and rolling up In a place like Cambodia, trying to educate people about schoolbooks (with more soccer stars on the cover). white sacks rocks back-and-forth precariously, with their trousers. Kamsoth, the one female coach on this danger is difficult. It has been a part of their lives for too five smiling Cambodians lounging atop it. If they are trip, hoists a big bag of SOS soccer balls out of the long, especially in Battambang, the former haunt of the Khmer Local coaches receive professional training for both soccer actually holding on, I sure can’t see how. back of our jeep and suddenly we are surrounded by a Rouge from the 1960s well into the mid-1990s. The road I’d coaching and their more serious task. “This program sea of wide eyes and nervous whispers. thought so trecherous that morning once contained more than a changed my life,” 25-year-old Lee Heang told me. “Before Our driver, Soun Sokhorn, director of the Spirit of hundred anti-tank mines. While they have now all been safely this, I couldn’t get a good job…but now I can help children, Soccer (SOS) program in Battambang province, Within minutes, everyone is up and playing and removed, experts claim that it may take up to three hundred help my country…as well as go to university, learn English, Cambodia, swerves ever so slightly. We miss the everything reverts to the familiar. Soccer and school years to completely de-mine Cambodia. support my family.” heavy goods vehicle by about five inches. My – pretty much my everyday reality back home. What knuckles turn pink again and I actually manage to strikes me above all, however, is the creativity and Four students at Plou Maesh school alone had family members Donations, government assistance, celebrity soccer players exhale. energy of the coaches. For an hour, despite the heat, who had been injured by landmines. The girl’s father lost and anti-mine signs on soccer balls have, of course, the students barely stop jumping, and a hand while trying to modify a mine for fishing. It is not contributed to the success of the SOS program. But the real Not even a close call in Cambodia. laughing. uncommon for kids to use slingshots or fires to try to detonate achievement of this program is that it helps Cambodian mines for fun (they are kids, after all) or to attempt to remove children find role models from their own country. By the I turn around. SOS coaches Heang, Mohabara, Spirit of Soccer was founded in 1996 by an them from soccer pitches or playgrounds. It is hard to teach end of that football session in Plou Maesh, the children Kamsoth and Chhion flash wide grins at me. Sokhorn Englishman named Scotty Lee. While on a people to change, especially children, when they live with that were looking at Heang like he was Rooney or Cristiano chuckles. A family of five whizzes past my window, humanitarian mission to Bosnia, Lee was deeply daily reality and you do not. Ronaldo. chatting to one another on a motorbike. affected by the deaths of three children who triggered a landmine while playing pickup soccer. Four other It is not Lee’s decision to teach children about landmines, For more information, visit the SOS website at which is groundbreaking in and of itself. It is his genius in www.spiritofsoccer.net 16 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 17 Fruit Crisp Beckham Booed by Heather McLean ome fans may have been goo goo over David Beckham’s new underwear ads for Emporio Armani, but a large percentage of LA Galaxy supporters were not too impressed when he returned for a Shome game at the Home Depot Center. After spending a five month loan with AC Milan, fans in the L.A. Riot Squad supporters section were holding up Beckham’s jersey and beating it. Home made signs read “Go home fraud” and “Hey Becks, here before you, here after you, here despite you.” At halftime, Beckham walked toward the group while shouting and pointing. He challenged fans to meet him on the field and Photo credit Gogae Rich tried to lift himself over advertising boards before security intervened. Police snatched and arrested a fan who left the stands imposing a life long ban. Becks was later fined $1000 Instructions: by the MLS. 1 Preheat oven 350 degrees Earlier this year, Beckham said he wanted to remain with the Italian club rather than return to the Galaxy because he believed the level of play was much better in Europe. 3-4 cups chopped fruit (your choice Just prior to arriving, Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl’s 2 of fruits) and put in bowl. released a book titled The David Beckham Experiment where teammate Landon Donovan, a star figure on the US National Team blasts the England midfielder for his lack of Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice, commitment to the team. 3 2 tablespoons corn starch, 2 tablespoons maple syrup,1 teaspoon “I can’t think of another guy where I’d say he wasn’t a good cinnamon, 1/4 cup sugar may be Photo credit Gogae Rich teammate, he didn’t give everything through all this, he added if fruit needs to be extra didn’t still care, but with [Beckham] I’d say no, he wasn’t sweet. committed.” Lightening Strikes The Tampa Bay Lightening team has probably never seen Toss fruit until well combined. The One has to wonder how great a teammate Donovan is when 4 he ensured that scathing remarks appear in a book days before action like the Vancouver Whitecaps did when they host- mixture should be wet, without a lot Beckham arrived back in town. Rumours that Beckham is ed Puerto on July 25th. With a couple of minutes of liquid, because the fruit will cook hoping to skip town have been denied for now. remaining in the first half, an electrical storm whipped down. into the game forcing the match to be abandoned for nearly two hours. Flashes of lightening striking the field, South African including a blast close to the Couch Potato sofa in the In a separate bowl: cream together north end entertained fans huddled in the Grandstand. 5 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of brown sugar. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Free Kick Wall Mix in 1 cup of flour and 1/2 cups of oats. Finally mix in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of cloves, 2 tablespoons of sunflower/pumpkin seeds and 1 tablespoon of flax seeds.

6 Spread the mixture evenly over fruit.

Bake 30-40 minutes when fruit is 7 bubbly.

8 Let sit for 10 minutes. Photo credit Victor Gregory Photo credit CapsCRU

18 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 19 Word Cup 2010 Word Search

Find names of Host Capetown Cities in South Africa: Nelson Mandela Polokwane Tshwane Pretoria Nelspruit Rustenburg Johannesburg Mangaung

South Africa 2010

Zakumi the Mascot

20 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 21 SoccerScopes

Aries: Kissing your ball prior to your practices or games will improve your bond and soccer love. Expect your feet to dazzle with excitement.

Taurus: Admitting Ronaldo and Beckham are hunks will dampen your social life.

Gemini: Dressing your pet up as the team mascot will encourage teammates to give treats to your four-legged friend, saving you extra money on pet food.

Cancer: Offering a half-time orange slice to a cute fan may lead to romance.

Leo: Meditating with a ball in your lap will open the universe to higher powers in your soccer journey. Which sport do you wish your girlfriend played? Virgo: Organizing a drumming group for your local matches will suggest that you are cool and hip.

Libra: Using your player ID card will not help you cross the border at US Customs.

Scorpio: Kicking goal keepers will lead to unwanted body scars.

Sagittarius: Partying the night before your game may lead to your breakfast appearing on the game pitch.

Capricorn: Wearing vertical striped socks will help your body weight image.

Aquarius: A secret admirer will find your bruises, cuts, sweaty hair and salty demeanor sexy.

Pisces: Asking others to explain the offside rule will annoy your soccer friends unless they have romantic intentions. Best to look it up on the internet.

22 free kick August 2009 August 2009 free kick 23 24 free kick August 2009