David Garr received quite the birthday present Aug. 13.
The Goodrich youngster celebrated his 12th birthday by learning he has been named to the United States Olympic team’s developmental soccer program. During the winter months, Garr will team up with 24 other Michigan soccer players to train at Wiskham, a camp in Michigan, and eventually play developmental teams from other states.
Garr also plays for Vardar, a soccer club in Rochester. They practice each Tuesday and Thursday, and will participate in an Aug. 29 tournament in Dayton, OH. His first experience with organized soccer was with Jan Martin’s travel club in Goodrich, and his first coach was Lance Lester of Goodrich.
Garr, the oldest child of David and Christina Garr of Goodrich, has a younger brother, Danny, 8, who plays on a separate team for Vardar, as well as two younger sisters, Kristi, 11, and Ashley, 9, who play in Grand Blanc for the Genesee Stars.
‘We’re like a soccer family,? David Jr. said.
Mom Christina said this was the first year her son could try out for the program. There are two ways to qualify for the program: at weekend camps on Saturday and Sunday (which is where David tried out) and at a week-long camp.
‘It’s a pretty big deal to make it,? she said. ‘We were pretty thrilled.?
Young David said it takes a big-time commitment to play soccer at the highest possible level, and he recognizes the sacrifices his family has made to make that happen.
‘You have to really like it to play in the high leagues,? he said. ‘It takes a lot of your time. I’d like to thank my family because they want my dream to come true, to play for a professional soccer team.?