When Valley View Elementary School in Pleasanton partnered with the Ballistic United Soccer Club and the Get on the Bus program that helps bring the game of soccer to underprivileged kids, there were simple things they had hoped to accomplish.
It wasn’t just the experience of playing the wonderful game of soccer, but it also encompassed academic aid, nutritional help and learning life lessons.
It was a success right off the bat. But along the way something else happened – the team got good.
Following a great performance in the regular season, as well as strong effort at the Davis tournament last fall, the team was selected to participate in the Cal North winter league to represent Ballistic in the Under-12 Division.
The players practiced up to three times a week and played on Saturdays, which meant the players had to endure the elements – including the heavy rain and winds.
The season consisted of a total of 10 games that were all played at neighboring communities, such as Walnut Creek, San Ramon, West Contra Costa, Mount Diablo and Danville, with no home games in Pleasanton.
Valley View won eight of the games, scoring 37 goals, with the defense recording three shutouts. The results are not final, but it appears the group will finish atop the standings.