By Kathy Chouteau
Richmond native Roberto Mora is an operations supervisor at Chevron during the day, and in his down time, volunteers as the youth soccer director of the Salesian Pumas Youth Soccer Club, with plans for expansion in the future.
The girls soccer program, which plays at the West Contra Costa Salesian Boys and Girls Club and is a sister team to Richmond Sol, serves girls aged 7-14. Players hail from Richmond, San Pablo and other nearby cities, and play futsal indoors in the winter and soccer at the Boys and Girls Club and Salesian High School fields during the spring and fall. Salesian welcomed them to its campus when their own field in another part of Richmond became unsafe.
Growing up nearby the refinery in Richmond, Mora attended the Salesian Boys and Girls Club himself, which benefited him in a multitude of ways. He said the positive impact of the Club’s mentors and coaches on his life motivates him to give back to the community today via the Salesian Pumas.
The Salesian Pumas have fun playing the game, and also building relationships, developing leadership skills and maintaining their well-being.
“Someone was always there to help me along the way,” said Mora about the Club. “And I know how much it meant to me, and how much growth and development that provided me with growing up… stability that I needed at the time.”
Being involved in team sports helps the Salesian Pumas players build relationships, develop leadership skills and maintain their overall well-being, Mora said. The coach even gets his family in on the soccer program, with his eldest daughter and son helping to coach and his three younger daughters participating.
Besides mentorship and soccer skills, the players also get a healthy dose of inspiration for the future, said Mora. Bianca Dominguez, who plays D1 soccer for Duke and previously participated in the Pumas soccer program, met up with the Richmond players after the Cal vs. Duke women’s soccer game and has also trained with them in the past. The coach said it provides inspiration for what is possible.
Mora’s vision for the future of the club expands beyond soccer practice and games to encompass educational opportunities and career guidance for the girls, such as a trade fair that includes non-traditional fields like welding and mechanics. He emphasized it’s important to empower girls to pursue their passions and provide them with the resources they need to succeed.
Chevron Richmond supports Mora’s vision, stepping up this year to begin sponsoring the club.Â
“We’ve had a previous partnership through other programs at the West Contra Costa Salesian Boys and Girls Club, and we also know how loved soccer is in this community,” said Lily Rahnema, community engagement manager at Chevron Richmond. “So we wanted to sponsor the Salesian Pumas as a way to support families with some of the burden of costs that comes with getting their kids into sports. I’m really excited to watch the girls play as well!”
In addition, the program is doing its part to raise funds. Players recently sold tickets and are participating in the Richmond Sol’s Haunted House, with partial proceeds benefiting their team. Support from the tickets they already sold will help the Salesian Pumas with essentials like purchasing equipment (i.e., balls, bags, nets), uniforms and registration for tournaments like the State Cup.
Those wanting to check out the Haunted House can find it Oct. 25-27 and 31st from 7 to 11:30 p.m. at 1418 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond.
To support the Salesian Pumas with a direct donation, or to inquire about the team, contact Roberto Mora at [email protected].
