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Brazilian music, soccer skills and lots of fun are all
part of the syllabus at the Alegria School of Samba Style
Soccer which takes place every second Sunday from 1.15pm
to 6pm at the Jordan Recreation Centre in Onehunga.
The school is based on the Brazilian 'Futebol de Salao'
( football on a court) which all the great Brazilian soccer
players played up until the age of 17. It is a F.I.F.A.
approved game which uses a smaller and slightly heavier
ball which helps develop good 'first touch' ball skills.
The confined conditions with five players per team encourage
a fast and exciting game of football. "The flare and
freedom in this style is synonymous with Brazilian soccer.
The addition of Samba music brings out the rhythm and creative
expression of the youngsters" says Michael Groom, who
founded the school in Hamilton in 1999.
Michael, who made 22 appearances for the All Whites, saw
the need for such a school while on holiday when a group
of enthusiastic kids and parents from the campground they
were in asked for lessons, after hearing about him from
his children. Since these humble beginnings the school has
grown to over 200. Michael has run clinics in Christchurch,
Hastings and was invited to America where he ran a clinic
in Pennsylvania in January of this year. The school came
to Jordan Recreation Centre after parents who had been driving
their kids to Hamilton each week for classes asked Michael
if he would come to Auckland if they found him a great gym
to run the school in.
"We want the kids to have fun and enjoy soccer"
says Angela Groom, Michaels wife. "They certainly learn
great skills yet it doesn't matter if they make mistakes
as long as they go away with a smile on their face."
If you want to put some Brazilian sunshine into your soccer
check out www.sambastylesoccer.co.nz
for details, Michael and Angela would be happy to hear from
you.
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