NEW BERLIN – A benefit has will take place at the Deer Path restaurant in New Berlin on March 12 to assist a group of exceptional athletes have been invited to travel to Europe to participate in some friendly competition while sightseeing and engaging in what can only be described as the opportunity of a lifetime for some.
High school soccer all-stars from New York's section IV were notified that they had been chosen to participate in the annual trip abroad late last month, and are now preparing and making final plans to make sure all goes off without a hitch.
“Last year, the section four all-stars traveled to Barcelona, Spain at the end of the season; this year players are being offered the chance to fly to Italy, where they will make several sight-seeing stops at Siena, Florence and The Vatican to enrich the experience through cultural education,” said Lisa Harvey, mother one of this year’s tour participants.
Of all section four soccer all-stars, only 80 – 40 boys and 40 girls – were extended the invitation to represent section four.
In a bulletin written by BCC Soccer Coach Bill Rich, Rich indicated that this will serve as the twenty fifth All Star Trip to europe and eluded to how teams of the past made positive impressions in competition against teams from Germany, Russia, Italy and as well a long list of other European countries how participate in the program.
“The tour will be more than just games. You will be representing New York, and the USA,” the bulletin read. “You will meet many European soccer friends and, of course, discover the spirit of Europe.”
Due to the substantial cost to send just one athlete overseas – nearly $3,000 – The Deer Path restaurant has agreed to host a spaghetti dinner benefit intended to help defray the cost that students will have to pay out of pocket. The fundraising event will run from 4 to 7 p.m. at the restaurant’s New Berlin location, 6064 State Highway 8 New Berlin.
No strangers to hard work, the Section four all-star soccer athletes directly benefiting from the fundraiser – Kelsey Bressett, Lucas Miller, Kaylee Schworm and Amanda Tersigni from Edmeston Central School as well as Kyle King and Jared Hanslmaier from Unadilla Valley Central School – will be serving up restaurant patrons along side their parents in appreciation for the support of the public to help them along on their journey.
The Section four All Stars are chosen by the coaches in the league, and they are broken down into first team, second team and honorable mention. Coaches that attend an All Star meeting vote on the players and where they should be ranked.
Of the athletes representing Section IV; Hanslmaier and King are from first team while Bressett, Miller, Schworm and Tersgini and Miller are second team All Stars.
“All of the parents of the Section IV all-stars are working hard for the Spaghetti fund raiser to support our kids,” said Harvey.
Dinner prices for the evening are $8 for adults and $5 for children aged ten and under; and the menu will consist of a generous helping of a spaghetti and meatballs entree, bread, chef salad and a choice of desserts. Those wishing to make a reservation should call the restaurant directly at 847-9976.