Now this is how you do it!

Six nine year-old soccer players, including our daughter Mia, formed a soccer team to compete in the Dick Sporting Goods’ Kick-It 3v3 Soccer Shootout.

Calling themselves “Team Buzzkill,” Mia teamed up with Marissa, Cassie, and Amanda, and twins Courtney and Ellie. They had a dual purpose: try to win and support a charitable cause. Well, they have been successful on both counts.

With Rafael Gloria as their coach, this group won their division in a local qualifying event at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, WI. Now they will move on to the regional tournament in hopes of qualifying to the national tournament at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. in January.

Equally as important, this group did a great thing by raising awareness and funds to fight a terrible disease: Malaria. By purchasing and sporting their own BUZZKILL T-shirts, they went to work for Nothing But Nets! The player’s families, along with players and families from other teams, made donations for t-shirts to raise money for bed nets. Plus, in between games–in this case, in between victories–these six players handed out informational brochures and cards to people in the crowd telling them that 3,000 kids are dying in Africa everyday due to malaria and how easy it is to help, all the while encouraging people to send a net and save a life.

These kids are winners on and off the field! It is awesome to watch these young girls using team work to spread the word and make a difference!

Good luck to “Team Buzzkill” at regionals!