Dero United Youth Soccer Tour makes a stop in Montreal: Dwayne De Rosario gives back to youth soccer

By Sofiane Benzaza@sofianebenzaza Aug 27, 2012, 10:50am EDT

Dwayne De Rosario in Montreal during the Dero United Youth Tour.

The city of Montreal was still recovering from its hangover after the convincing 3-0 win of the Montreal Impact over D.C. United. It was a Saturday of drama, joy and a complete soccer show by the Impact to its fans at Stade Saputo. The victims were wearing White and Red, a team that Ben Olsen (D.C. United head coach) decided to rotate his players. Among the non-starters was Canadian International and MLS Super Star : Dwayne De Rosario.

D.C. United takes the flight back to home but leaves De Rosario behind. He actually stays on for the Montreal edition of the Dero United Youth Soccer Tour. 130+ young soccer players from LakeShore Soccer clubs and other clubs from Montreal, were present at Ecclestone Park to take part of this event.

On Saturday your Foe and on Sunday your Friend. Read more about an exciting day for the young soccer players of Lakeshore Soccer and Montreal: Dwayne De Rosario talks about the Dero United, MLS, the Canadian National team and Patrice Bernier. Sound bits, pictures and more about the event after the jump.

Dero United Youth Tour

The advertised event was announced as follow on the Dero United website.

The Dero United Youth Soccer Tour was designed to aid youth in their skills and proficiency in soccer, to highlight how sports assist in the development of social skills, and to address the childhood illnesses that result from a lack of physical activity.

While in Montreal and working with the Lakeshore Soccer Club, the Dero United Youth Tour will not only focus on our young players, but will also act as a conduit to bring a community together, rallying around a common goal.

In association with the Lakeshore Soccer Club , the event is focused on the youth of amateur soccer with soccer clinics, 1-on-1 with kids and coaches to deliver a framework to develop skills. Dero United does not just stop at soccer skills but adds the social aspect and health aspects into the mix. Social integration, nutrition are among many core values that are being conveyed by Dwayne De Rosario and his staff.

Travelling with Dwayne De Rosario is his brother, Mark De Rosario, president of Dero United. Yaw Donkers and Dave Higgins are also part of the staff to help organize, run and supervise the different clinics.

I was impressed by the professionalism of the team and how involved was everyone in the whole process. Kudos to the Lakeshore Soccer club staff to help in coordinating their teams and also to Tony Marinaro who had a big part in organizing and promoting the event.

During a long interesting discussion with Mark De Rosario, he clearly indicates what he wants to see as a result from the work done by Dero United

Hopefully the work we do will help create environments for people, especially children to accelerate in and gain the core values that lead towards becoming better citizens and community leaders.
-- Mark De Rosario

The passion shown by the Dero United staff and the level of articulation to pass on the message really helped to deliver the right message, at the right time to the right people.

Dwayne De Rosario, not Dero

We all know Dero, the passionate player on the field with his exciting plays, funky goal celebrations and competitive drive. On Sunday, you get to see and meet Dwayne De Rosario, the person outside the pitch. Humble, shy but in a talkative mood, Dwayne De Rosario did not mind addressing the crowd of young girls and boys hanging to his every word. He quickly shifted to the field, helping out the kids in soccer drills and made sure he spent some time with every group.

He also made sure to meet the groups individually after the clinics including autograph and picture sessions and made sure no one was forgotten: giving 5 hours of his time.

It's important to mention that Dero United does not make one penny out of this and are offering the service free of charge. The big message was for Dero United to give back to the community and help out.

A very pleasant surprise was a surprise visitor to the event : Rhian Wilkinson. The Pointe-Claire resident is a British-Canadian female soccer player who recently won the Bronze medal with the Canadian Women National Team at the 2012 London Olympics.