The Soccer Debate Club is gathering worldwide soccer-related ideas for its members to debate, discussing their passion for soccer and fostering an engaging soccer community within the school.
The newly added Soccer Debate Club meetings are on the first and third Thursdays of every month during advisory in room 184. Led by juniors Vir Maniar, Iago Wolmentz and Dmitrij Makmak, all of whom played soccer here and at their individual clubs at one point, the club’s goal is to encourage students to share their love of soccer with other soccer enthusiasts or beginners.
One of the group’s main strengths is maintaining stability and energy in their meetings. They aim to maintain a consistent meeting population of 20 students at each session and to introduce new people to the sport. Even though the meeting is approximately 30 minutes due to advisory, a typical meeting for this club will include a slideshow for approximately 10 minutes at the beginning, followed by group discussions and entire club discussions. Sometimes they will have team Kahoots and other games to create an engaging environment and the sharing of their soccer knowledge. Maniar said that the club’s motivation is to “support the club’s mission to the fullest. Developing a fun and safe community is my top priority, emphasis on fun.”
In relation to long-term goals, the club wants to “develop a long-lasting environment that connects all soccer players and lovers in the school for years to come to maintain a fun and exciting club.” Wolmentz said.
Additionally, he said that the club is currently in the process of adding soccer video games during their meetings, such as FIFA or EA FC, in order to sustain a positive and engaging environment.
Although the club had an overall positive experience and introduction, starting a new club always presents challenges, and the Soccer Debate Club was no exception. The presidents faced difficulty securing a sponsor who aligned with their vision for a supportive environment. However, their persistence paid off. “We found the perfect teacher, and we are glad that she is part of the club,” Makmak said.
Their sponsor, Fatemeh Rahmatabady, a teacher in the computer science department, is enthusiastic about the club’s potential impact. She said, “During the first meeting, I was impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. It was great to see them collaborating, debating respectfully, and genuinely enjoying themselves while learning from one another.”
Rahmatabady said the club will benefit the school by fostering a positive community, developing essential communication skills and promoting teamwork through discussions and watch parties.
As of now, the club has completed its preview for the upcoming year and is focused on gaining exposure in school. If interested, the club has a social media presence via Instagram (@woottonsoccerdebate) and email ([email protected]). The presidents have said there is no deadline to join and encourage everyone to “join the debate club.”
