Volunteer spotlight: Ted Webne, Lincoln Middle School soccer coach

Written by Josh Freedholm
Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

On Monday, DC SCORES began programming for elementary and middle school students throughout the District. It would be impossible to give 1,500 students the quality programming they receive without the help of our volunteers. This month we highlight Ted Webne, who on Monday returned for his second year as a volunteer soccer coach. Ted coached last season at J.C. Nalle Elementary School and is coaching the Lincoln Middle School team on the pitch this year. Check out our interview with Ted and some photos of his first day on the field with his new team!

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.DCSCORES.org.

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DCS: Where are you from and where do you work?

I am from Alexandria, VA, and I work at Mary Mcleod Bethune Day Academy Public School as a Behavior Intervention Specialist.

DCS: How did you get involved with DC SCORES?

I became familiar with DC SCORES through friends and I decided that it would be the best way for me to give my time.

DCS: What do you find most interesting about DC SCORES?

DC SCORES is an ambassador for the sport that I have a passion for, in the city that I love.

DCS: Describe your experience volunteering for DC SCORES.

DC SCORES has provided me with the opportunity to help introduce the game of soccer to several first-time players in Washington, DC. I know first-hand that a commitment to soccer can lead to a lifetime of positive experiences. For this reason, I am confident in the potential for the DC SCORES program to make a difference in all of the lives of the children it serves.

DCS: What do you like to do with your free time?

When I am not coaching soccer, I am usually playing it. Otherwise, I like to hang out with friends.

DCS: Who is your favorite singer or poet?

My favorite singer is Thom Yorke or Bill Withers.

DCS: Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is "Number 18, Nate Burkey, striker for the Azkals.” Nate and I played at T.C. Williams High School together. He currently plays for the Philippine National team and Ceres FC. Through his committed service to under-served communities in Manila, Nate is also able to live out his passion for bringing the game to those who might not otherwise get the opportunity to play.

Coaches of all levels unite at Coach Kickoff, ready for DC SCORES season

Jacqui Kemp addresses roughly 100 coaches at the Kickoff.

Written by Josh Freedholm
Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

This past Saturday, roughly 100 coaches convened at Capital City Public Charter School to prepare for the start of DC SCORES programming next week. When you have the highest coach attendance in DC SCORES training history, it’s hard to call the event anything but a success.

However, it was the energy in the building that made the event one to remember and a great starting point for another DC SCORES season.

Despite the early weekend wake-up call, coaches were ready and thrilled to participate in the opening icebreakers. As staff member Jacqui Kemp ran across the room getting coaches to do the wave, it became clear the event would be more than just an information session for the coaches representing 47 public and public charter elementary and middle schools spread across the District.

The day was filled with activities that got the coaches using the skills their students will be honing. As new and returning elementary school writing coaches crowded around tables with Writing Coordinator Rachel Klepper to go over this year’s curriculum -- which is long and comprehensive, by the way! -- she got them to participate in a quick round of “Poetry Poker” to teach that poetry doesn’t always need to make sense.

At each table, a dealer dealt cards of poetic phrases, giving two to each coach and placing two more group cards in the middle. Coaches then worked to create a multi-line poem using all four phrases available to them. Their passion for writing was clear as 35 coaches silently jotted out their ideas, before one coach shared his and blew us away with this outstanding poem:

“There’s no sunlight on this cold train, 
Darkness, nothing but darkness as it was going. 
but out of the darkness sprang a voice 
muffled, without void, yet plain, crisp, clean 
of a woman who could not endure without her nice, 
old, stale piece of pie.”

I was left feeling excited for the poetry this coach is going to help his team produce by the time the Poetry Slam! rolls around in December.

In the afternoon, coaches split up to participate in the first-ever leveled trainings. Through the new system, soccer and writing coaches advance to higher levels of training as they gain experience, enabling DC SCORES to implement a program that teaches coaches new skills to make their teams even stronger.

Upstairs in the steamy gymnasium, soccer coaches broke into Level One and Level Two training groups. The heat couldn’t deter the Level One coaches as they worked with Program Manager of Soccer Operations Carlos Fonseca on the fundamentals of the game. Coaches dribbled, passed, and shot their way around the room, before taking a role as students while Carlos led them through a mock practice session.

On the other side of the room, Level Two coaches focused on refining and developing their skills. Those returning coaches worked on their ball control, as well as changing their direction and speed with the ball.

“This was the most excited and engaged I have seen our coaches at one of our trainings,” Carlos said. “Having different levels of training really allowed our coaches to interact even more.”

The soccer coaches finished the day with tired legs and new ideas, while the writing coaches all convened to decorate the writing journals they will hand out to students next Monday. Speaking with some new coaches as they picked up their DC SCORES Coach shirts, I realized the role the day had played in transferring the passion of those who have been with the program for several years to those first-year coaches.

“I learned that with us encouraging poetry and writing through the children that we can become more than a sports team,” said one freshman coach.

“What really impressed me was seeing how the program positively impacts kids,” added another.

My only thought -- just wait until you get to see the program in action next week.

DC SCORES podcast, episode 9: Meet the new staff

From left: Aaron Cannon, Josh Freedholm,
Great Poku-Adjei and Zachary Gomes. 

In this episode of the DC SCORES podcast, Communications Manager Jake Lloyd sits down with the four newest members of the staff: Josh Freedholm, Greta Poku-Adjei, Aaron Cannon and Zachary Gomes. Tune in to get to know this fabulous four and what excites them about working for the organization. Listen below or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.