Reflection of V3 Tournament
Written By Lida Kelyman
Eleven teams gathered at Harvey Field in Kearny on July 25 for the third annual Vultures Charity Tournament, bringing together a day of soccer, community and support for first-generation college students.
Hosted by Vultures Sporting Club, the tournament featured men's and co-ed divisions while raising money for the Dafne Scholarship at Ramapo College. The scholarship supports first-generation students and helps create educational opportunities for those who may face barriers to completing their degrees. That mission resonated with many of the players participating in the tournament.
“Being somebody that comes from a Hispanic household, being a first-generation college graduate, it means a lot,” said Bryam Guzman of Passion F.C. “Seeing what Julio's doing here, not just bringing people together, but bringing people together for a good cause, it means a lot. Makes me feel good about being Spanish”
Julio Sarmiento, co-founder and CEO of Vultures Sporting Club, leads the tournament and oversees the scholarship. Now in its third year, the event combines the club's love of soccer with its commitment to supporting students.
Four teams competed in the men's division: Legado FC, Guyacos, NJ Shorehounds and Chagüite F.C. The co-ed division featured Chris & Friends, C.D. UnDos, CD Yeezy, Gunners F.C., Los Parcedos, Jota Bonito and Passion F.C.
For many of the players, soccer itself has long been connected to family and community.
Janis Martinez of C.D. UnDos said she grew up playing soccer with her family and described them as a “very big soccer community.” Playing alongside family members and seeing the different teams come together were among her favorite parts of the tournament.
Nestor Gutierrez of Joa Bonito had a similar reason for taking the field.
“Passion. I love it. I grew up with the sport,” Gutierrez said. “I get to play with my friends and have fun. It's also for a great cause, so not only am I playing something I like, I'm also helping a cause too.”
That sense of belonging is particularly meaningful for Allan Albizu of CD Yeezy, who said soccer gave him a community at a time when he needed one.
“I was bullied a lot when I was back in Georgia,” Albizu said. “So when I started playing soccer, it was the first time I felt unity in the team and being with others. So for the first time I felt like I belonged.”
Albizu, who grew up in Kearny and has participated in the tournament for the past two years, said the event continues that sense of community by bringing friends and different teams together.
The competition eventually came down to two new champions. Legado FC captured the men's championship, while Los Parceros earned the co-ed title.
Santiago Henao of Legado FC said soccer has been part of his life for as long as he can remember. For Henao, however, the tournament's charitable purpose added another dimension to the competition. He said creating educational opportunities allows students who may not otherwise have the financial means to attend college to continue pursuing their goals.
“I think it's really cool that we're getting together as a community to create more educational outlets for people and for kids that maybe don't have the means to go to school,” Henao said. “They still deserve an opportunity to chase their dreams.”
That sentiment was shared across teams, regardless of what happened on the field.
Anthony Navas of Gunners F.C. said he returns to the tournament because of its atmosphere and the number of people who come out to support it each year. As the child of immigrants, he also sees a personal connection to the tournament's mission.
“My parents are both immigrants,” Navas said. “Getting to where I am now, I would like to see other people kind of do the same and get help as they go, because honestly, I could have used help back then instead of doing it alone.”
Away from the competition, vendors and volunteers supported players and spectators throughout the day. Limited-edition Vultures merchandise was available, while tickets provided with assistance from Brooklyn FC and Rhode Island FC were raffled during the event.
For Sarmiento, the tournament is also about encouraging scholarship recipients to believe in what they can accomplish.
“Believe in your dreams,” Sarmiento said. “If you never set any goals for yourself, then things aren't going to come into fruition.”
Players echoed that message when asked what they would tell the students who may one day benefit from the scholarship.
“Don't ever lose your light, and know that you are strong,” Martinez said.
Gutierrez offered a similar message: “Just be hungry and keep fighting.”
And for Guzman, students should remember that even when their goals seem difficult to reach, they may have more people in their corner than they realize.
“Keep trying. Don't stop,” Guzman said. “Sometimes it might seem like life is putting you down, but there's somebody out there fighting for you, even if you don't know.”
When the Vultures Charity Tournament returns for its fourth year, Legado FC and Los Parceros will have titles to defend. But the trophies tell only part of the tournament's story. For the players who return to the field and the students supported by the money they raise, the event has become an opportunity to turn a shared love of soccer into support for something beyond the game.
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