Kicks for a Cause: GHS hosts futsal tournament to benefit Open Door

The sound of squeaking shoes filled the GHS fieldhouse. Players wearing matching yellow, purple, or blue pinnies sprinted across the shiny wooden floor. GHS staff and students cheered as they passed around a small, heavy white ball during Thursday afternoon’s futsal tournament.

The tournament was organized by Niklas Tower, a Special Ed Liason and math teacher at Gloucester High, with the help of math teacher Allison Walsh and Special Ed program leader Jessica Carraro. 

“Futsal” is a form of indoor soccer played on a hard court with five players per team. It uses a heavier, low-bounce ball. 

The event was held to benefit the Open Door, a local nonprofit with the mission to alleviate the impacts of hunger in the community. 

“Sometimes it is better to help the people already doing the helping,” Tower said.  “Open Door has been in the community a lot longer than me, it seemed like an obvious place to send some support.” 

Tower also noted how the Open Door’s importance to the community was demonstrated in the midst of the “recent stresses on the food system” in the U.S. 

He referred to the recent federal government shutdown, which cut off SNAP benefits for the 1.11 million Massachusetts residents who rely on them. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to low-income residents in the form of credit that can be used at most grocery stores. Though SNAP benefits are back on after the government shutdown ended on November 12th, many Gloucester residents turned to the Open Door’s free food pantry in their absence.

Tower advertised the event by creating a flyer, which was posted in Gloucester High homeroom Google Classrooms and around the school. But he said what drove participation was word-of-mouth advertising.

Jonas Doldan, a Freshman English learner student who recently immigrated from Paraguay, heard about the tournament when his friend, a soccer player, encouraged him to sign up. He enjoyed playing because it allowed him to be a part of the Gloucester community even though he is still learning the language. 

“Getting to know teachers and new friends can help you learn English,” Doldan said. 

Teams were charged $20 to participate. Names included “Staff Wrath”, “Kicks and Giggles”, “Latino FC”, “CRF Flamengo”, “Leigh United”, “Chelsea”, “RESET THIS”, “Mixto”, and “Blue Lock”. 

Some teams, like “Kicks and Giggles”, went all out, creating custom-made shirts with their names on the back. 

Rosie Telep, a Freshman and member of “Kicks and Giggles”, recognized the importance of events like this for Gloucester soccer players.  “I think it’s good to keep team spirit when it’s not the season, and it just creates community,” she said.  

GHS Principal Dr. Perella was a player on the “Staff Wrath” team. He said his favorite part of the tournament was watching everyone having fun together, and emphasized the importance of events like this in creating an overall positive school climate. 

“Events and activities are exactly what we’re hoping to nurture here at Gloucester High School: we have some fun, and we really get to build connections with each other,” Perella said.

Tower remarked on how the event brought together diverse parts of the GHS community. 

“You have guys from other sports who don’t play soccer, you have administrators playing with kids, and you have an atmosphere that helps people realize good competitive fun is something everybody can do,” he said. ’ 

“Latino” FC won the final match. Doldan, a key part of the group’s hard-fought victory, emphasized coming together for a good cause rather than the score. “[Playing] felt good because it’s good to help people who need it,” Doldan said.

The fundraiser was a success, raising over $200 for the Open Door. Tower said he “appreciates all of the support and the participation” and hopes it’s something “we can do on a regular basis.”