Winter Brings Games Inside Western Addition

This winter, Jr. SCORES Game Days were split between two sites: Brett Harte Elementary in Bayview and the Buchanan YMCA in the Western Addition. Using two host sites created a local flavor to Game Days that appealed to both parents and kids.

Jr. players shake hands before playing at the Buchanan YMCA

Western Addition parents especially appreciated the quick travel time to the Buchanan YMCA.

"It’s easier here to walk because we live right down the road," Savannah Thompson, parent of two Cobb Elementary students, said. "It’s fun for the kids because they can ride their scooters here."

For some parents, the long commute to Crocker Amazon in Daly City prevents them from attending Saturday games. 

"This is better for us," Sirgut Abate, mother of a Rosa Parks second grader, said of commuting to the Buchanan YMCA. "Going all the way to [Crocker Amazon] is very far. I don't have a car and I have a two year old boy, so I don't go there. But this is very convenient for us. I can just walk here."

The players enjoyed the new challenges of playing indoors, such as the fast-paced wood floor and the big goals. They also got a chance to try their skills against a goalkeeper.

"I like playing here because we get to kick it at a goalie," Jonathan Abate said. "I like it because I like playing goalie, and I like scoring goals."

Jonathan also suggested another important advantage of playing indoors. "At the park our games got rained out," he said, "but here the games cannot get canceled."

The Jrs. return to the elements in the Spring, when games will again be held at Crocker Amazon Park. But the success of local Jr. Game Days suggests that SCORES will host more in the future.

John Muir players with their assistant coach, Mckenna

- Cyrus Philbrick
Program Manager