SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (March 16, 2011) - The Mount Holyoke College soccer team is pitching—or kicking—in to help victims of last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami. The squad will play a charity match with a Japanese travel team at the Turf Field on Saturday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. The team will be selling $5 "We Pray For Japan" bracelets at the game, with all contributions going to the Japanese Red Cross.
Those who can't make it to the game but would still like to donate to the charity drive can send a check, made out to Mount Holyoke Soccer, to head coach Kanae Haneishi, c/o of the Department of Athletics. Please indicate on the check that the money is for earthquake relief.
Haneishi, who is originally from Japan, is just one of many connections the soccer team has with the Pacific island nation. Each year, the squad has been hosting Japanese travel soccer teams through the Bridge organization. During their visits, the Japanese soccer players have toured campus and met with the longtime Director of Athletics Laurie Priest to talk about women in sport. They have also visited the Japanese language classes and taken part in intercultural parties with the soccer team.
In addition, members of the Mount Holyoke team visited Japan last year, where players had the opportunity to play several matches against local teams in Kyoto and Osaka, while also attending classes and making presentations at the host Japanese university.
"The charity game is a way for Mount Holyoke soccer to stand up for our friends who were affected by the earthquake and tsunami," said Haneishi. "All of our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan."
