The late soccer icon Pele popularized the phrase “the beautiful game” to describe the sport’s grace, simplicity and artistic, skillful nature.
And beauty, as we all know, is in the eye of the beholder.
Every Thursday afternoon, a dozen or more like-minded beholders congregate at the Patagonia Middle School baseball field to offer up their interpretation of this beautiful game. Some are more skillful and graceful than others, but a good time is had by all.
“It’s open to all people, all ages and abilities,” said Caleb Weaver. “The whole goal is to just come out and have some fun.”
Weaver, who coached the Patagonia Union High School soccer team for four years back when there were enough players to field a team, instigated the weekly pickup soccer ritual about five years ago, but it’s picked up steam recently since Yaritza Cortez created a poster that was shared on a local Facebook page, displayed at the post office and distributed via the Patagonia Regional Times.
“A bunch of people saw that, and it’s really filled out the numbers for us,” said regular Aaron Mrotek. “We have people that have been coming up every week from Nogales.”
The players – mostly males, but a few females also get in on the action – range from preteen to 63-year-old Jan (pronounced “yan”) Koch of Sonoita, who refers to himself as the “most experienced” of the group by about 20 years.
“Until my body gives out, I’m going to be out here and pushing it to the limit,” Koch said. “Soccer is just something that challenges the whole body. Your mind, your body have to work in great unison.”
Mrotek, manager of The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, played club soccer at Northern Arizona University and still plays regularly in Tucson leagues.
“I just enjoy the game,” he said. “It’s been a big part of my life for a long time. It’s helped me meet people from all over the world.
“It’s kind of like a common language. I didn’t know any of these guys until about two, three months ago, and now they’re part of my Thursday routine, meeting all these good folks.”
The current start time is 5 p.m., but it will shift to later in the evening as the summer heat arrives.
Mrotek said a typical gathering begins with stretching, loosening up, “lots of talk, lots of hanging out, but we’re going to set up these cones here in just a little bit and we’ll divide into two teams and actually play a game. We don’t really keep score on anything. Even if your team is scored on, everyone’s like ‘good job.’”
Weaver said the level of competition depends on who shows up. “Most of the time it’s more of a social thing – get out and move the body. Sometimes there’s some folks who want to get competitive, and that’s fun too,” he said.
“We want it to be accessible – that’s the most important thing. Whether you’re under 10 or over 60, come on out.”