Ironmen to Support Freehold Township Soccer Tournament
July 24, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
Newark, N.J. (Thursday, July 24, 2008) - When young Mia O'Brien met classmate Graeme Preston three years ago, they developed a tight bond. On March 3, 2008, that friendship would be cut untimely short when 12-year-old Graeme passed away due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
"Unfortunately, Graeme left our 'world' earlier this year when he and a friend were struck and killed in a motor vehicle accident," Mia states in a letter regarding the upcoming marathon. "Graeme will never, however, leave my world. And to forever memorialize and remember him, I, along with the Freehold Township Parks and Recreation, the Freehold Soccer League, and the Battle of Monmouth, am hosting The Graeme Preston Memorial Soccer Marathon."
The date of the marathon benefit is set for Saturday, August 23rd, at Opatut Park in Freehold Township. The start-up time will be 8:00 a.m. with conclusion at 8:00 p.m. In addition to the $100 registration fee, participants are asked to collect pledges from friends and families, and all proceeds will go to the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life. The charitable organization was founded by Graeme's family earlier this year, and they offer scholarships in addition to helping local families that have suffered an unexpected loss or hardship as they did.
While she may be young in years, Mia has a vision and drive that far exceeds her years. She is currently a top travel goalkeeper in her age group, as well as being a top prospect for her high school varsity squad. She recalls Graeme, the son of her soccer coach, as being a "true soccer player- determined to win, but also humble enough to lose."
Seeking a way to honor the life of Graeme Preston, Mia developed the marathon concept as her Girl Scout Silver Award Project, which is the second highest honor for Girl Scouts. The soccer marathon will be a "sunrise-to-sunset" event with teams from the Freehold Soccer League travel program, Battle of Monmouth Soccer Club and other travel programs. Pick-up teams are also eligible with ages ranging from U-8 to Adult. The marathon will be non-competitive and played on the short-side of the soccer field with teams composed of seven field players and a goalkeeper. Juggling contests, penalty kick shootouts and other raffles also highlight this day of remembrance.
"The Graeme Preston Memorial Soccer Marathon is about remembering my friend Graeme and all that he meant to his family, friends, classmates, and his soccer friends," Mia went on to say in her public letter. "This marathon is not intended to glorify Graeme nor is it a promotional event. This marathon is purely a day of remembering a boy who loved the game of soccer and would give anything to play it. Graeme would have wanted it this way: nothing but soccer and fun, all day long, resulting in hundreds of smiles."
For more information regarding The Graeme Preston Memorial Soccer Marathon, click here. For more information regarding the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life, visit the official website by clicking here.
The New Jersey Ironmen are currently underway in their inaugural summer camp programming. Camps are conducted by the Ironmen coaching staff and players, offering participants the rare experience of learning directly from the pros. All players also receive a t-shirt, soccer ball and a ticket to the 2008-09 New Jersey Ironmen home opener at Prudential Center this fall. For more information regarding camps, call camp contact Mike Milich today at 973-757-6322 or email him at mmilich@njironmen.com.
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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from July 24, 2008
- Ironmen to Support Freehold Township Soccer Tournament - New Jersey Ironmen
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