Three months ago, the San Mateo Police Activities League decided to take a new direction with at-risk students in the city. Instead of just offering “one-shot” programs like weekend ski trips or Junior Giants, PAL organizers are creating long-term character-building programs that focus on teamwork. Its first step was to create a soccer team for at-risk San Mateo High School students.

It started with a lunchtime meeting at school. A police officer assigned to the school arranged the meeting and Buckle brought pizza. It was clear from the start that the boys wanted to play soccer, Buckle said.

And so the team was born.

The team started with approximately 20 boys — most in high school and a few from middle school. Now there are at least 25 boys on the team with at least a couple of new faces at each practice. At least half of them have a criminal record and six or seven are on probation. One boy has a rap sheet that runs a whole page — a long record for someone not yet 18.

The boys practice twice a week at Turnbull Elementary School on an uneven patch of weeds and dirt that barely passes as a field. There are no nets on the goal posts. There are no opposing teams and no standings. Their only opponent is themselves. Each boy is evaluated at each practice, not on how many goals they score, how many defenders they school or how fast they run. Instead, Buckle watches each one with an eagle eye and takes careful notes and evaluates them in five areas — respect and self control, effort and participation, self direction, leadership and respect off the field.

Each day, one boy is chosen to lead the warm-up. It’s usually based on their performance on the field or success at school. This week, 16-year-old Juan Barajas led warm-up. He’s bringing up his grades and increasing his leadership skills, Buckle said.

For Barajas, it’s important he set a good example for his 11-year-old brother.
“If I don’t [set a good example], he might look up to someone else. They might get him into drugs or gangs or something,” Barajas said.

Without soccer, Barajas would spend his days “bored at home or just walking around the neighborhood,” he said.

For many of the kids on the field, gangs are a daily threat. If they aren’t being lured into one, they are threatened by them. Recently, one boy was stabbed by gang members on his way to practice.

The soccer team has the ability to translate the quietest kid into a outspoken leader on the field. Respect, effort and “learning to be a nice guy,” are the lessons boys are learning on the field, said Jose Jimenez.

Off the field Jimenez is soft spoken and polite, but he runs the risk of being a trouble maker. On the field, Jimenez is a vocal defenseman who helps direct his team.

Some of the players are still in tennis shoes because the boys don’t have their own equipment such as cleats, shin guards or soccer balls. A fundraiser earlier this year raised about $10,000 for the program — $5,000 in a single donation from Sandy Boyle of Glenborough real estate company. PAL is ordering new equipment, which is being delivered in increments. It makes each practice “sort-of like Christmas” because the boys are eager to see what’s in a newly delivered box, Buckle said.

Even without the new equipment, the boys are happy with their newfound sense of pride.

“We’re right here, right now. We’re not on the street,” said 16-year-old Wuaner Aguilar. “Instead of being in a gang, we decided to play soccer.”