FV players 'Kickin' it - Euro-Style'

By DIANE MARCH - For the Hungry Horse News

Once again soccer girls from the Flathead Valley are heading to Europe for what will surely be an exciting, if not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in an international soccer tournament. In the summer of 2008, they will travel to Barcelona, Spain to compete in soccer matches with teams from around the world.

This is the second time that Lini Reading, coach of the Whitefish High School soccer teams, will take girls from Columbia Falls, Whitefish and Kalispell to Europe to experience soccer on an international scale.

"For many of these girls this is the only chance they will have to experience soccer outside the United States," Reading said. "These girls will be varsity players in a couple of years and how wonderful for them to learn skills they can use throughout high school."

Fundraising efforts kicked off the first weekend in November with numerous activities in and around Whitefish.

"The community has already shown great support for our girls," Dale Bax, fundraising co-chairman for the group said.

A snow package consisting of a new pair of men's or women's skis and new men's or women's snowboards donated by Rossignol will be raffled through December to help support the girls.

"It's reaffirming to see these girls work for something they want. It's a real team effort," Bax said.

The soccer team has manned concession stands, sold Herberger's coupons and sold raffle tickets at the ski swap in an effort to raise the needed money to make this trip come true.

"Over the next several months, there will be many chances for people to support these girls. Any donation will be greatly appreciated and is tax deductible," Bax added.

Other plans include selling coffee front of the Bulldog Saloon during the Christmas stroll.

"They have a lot of work ahead of them," Reading said, "but I don't doubt that these girls can do it."

The team will be touring with Euro-Sporting, an organization that has hosted over a thousand teams since its inception in the 1970's. The trip will consist of sight-seeing tours and friendly matches in Amsterdam, and a five-day soccer tournament in Barcelona.

Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible donation should contact Bax at 862-6341 or Henry Cross at 863-9835.