Angry Birds Of Staten Island

Ethan Burns, New York, USA

Goal Click teamed up with New York City FC to tell the inside story of the New York City Soccer Initiative (NYCSI), building 50 mini soccer pitches in communities across the five New York City boroughs with partners from the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC, U.S. Soccer Foundation, adidas, and Etihad Airways. Youth participants aged 8-23 told the story of their own football life, street soccer culture, and the impact of the pitches on their communities.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?

My name is Ethan Burns, I am a 4th grader at PS 13 in Staten Island, NY. I started playing football this summer. I joined the NYCFC Soccer Initiative Summer Camp and loved my experience there. My trainers, JD and Nick, were very nice and they helped me pick up techniques and improve my football skills. I did not have football experience prior to the camp. My dad encouraged me to join. He also says that I would be good at soccer, so I decided to give it a try.

Who is in these photos? Do any of them have interesting stories?

I showed football being played around the borough of Staten Island at Clove Lakes Park and Midland Beach Park. It is a sport that is growing here on Staten Island and I wanted to take pictures of kids really enjoying the game. The photo with the kid kicking the ball towards the goalkeeper is pretty cool because both kids did not know one another. They are both college students and they decided to kick the ball and play football together. It shows how football can bring people together. 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

I wanted to show how football brings kids from different communities together. There is something nice about seeing kids playing together, showing teamwork and celebrating when they score a goal. 

What is your favourite photo? Why?

My first practice with my new team, the St. Teresa Angry Birds. I am so excited to join a football league. We will play other teams in our league every Sunday. I am a striker on the team for now, but we are rotating positions. Coach Mike was giving us practice drills. I picked the number 24. It is now my lucky number. 

Can you tell us your personal story?

This is my first experience playing football as well as playing in a league. For many years, I trained in Taekwondo and received my Black Belt last year. I really worked hard to achieve this accomplishment. This year, I am starting a new challenge which is playing soccer. I am excited to join this team. I have made a few friends already on the team. Some of the kids have been playing soccer already and are really good at controlling the ball. This makes me want to be just as good as them. It feels good to belong to a team.

My dad tried to convince me to play soccer and I always refused. He loves soccer and watches it every day at home. I decided to give it a chance. I am happy that I did because I now like it as well. Watching and playing soccer is something that we can now do together. It is something that brings us closer. 

Why is football important for your community?

Soccer is important because it brings kids together from different communities and neighborhoods. Because it involves teamwork, kids have to work together in order to win. It also helps with self-confidence because scoring a goal makes you feel good. It also helps kids stay fit and healthy. But most important, it’s fun!

What does football mean to you? What ambitions do you have for the future?

Soccer has helped me feel like a winner. I scored my first goal this past Sunday. My team won 2-1 and my goal helped us to victory. It feels good to be part of a team, something I was missing in my Taekwondo years. I would like to learn more about the game and maybe play professionally one day. My dad would really love that. I know he would come to all of my games. 

What impact has the NYCSI programme had on you?

NYCSI has had a big impact on me. I was not only the MVP in the NYCFC All City Tournament but had the great opportunity of actually going to a football game at Yankee Stadium. I was the ball boy and walked onto the field at the start of the game with the referees. It was a great experience. I was a little nervous, but I had so much fun meeting players and taking pictures before the game. Before the NYCSI program, I was only half interested in soccer, now I am all in, 100%

What do you think the future looks like for soccer in New York and the USA? What do you want to change?

I believe soccer will continue to grow in both NYC and the USA. Soccer is becoming more popular since the Women's National Team won the World Cup this year. It is an international sport that is gaining more and more attention in the USA. I feel that more kids should participate in soccer when they are young to help grow the sport. This will help the sport become popular. Also, the USA Men's National Team have to play hard and win just like the women's team, as this will help the country recognize soccer.