John Dzurick was watching television last summer when something caught his attention. It was the Show-Me State Games.
“I saw highlights on the news one day and thought, ‘You know, my kids can do that,’” he recalled.
In one week, a dream to participate in Missouri’s annual summer games will become a reality.
Dzurick’s 10-and-under soccer team –– the Houston Strikers –– will compete July 20-22 in Columbia against teams from across the state. The teams will play a round-robin format with the top four records then playing for the championship.
There is not a coed category for the Strikers, which are comprised of three boys –– Clayton Moore, Kyler Ramsey and Dalton Dzurick –– and seven girls. But that’s no concern for their coach.
John Dzurick said his female players –– Hannah Dzurick, Kameron Hall, Viviana Guerra, Abby and Maddy Cole, Janae Huff and Baylee Weaver –– are just as tough as the boys.
“It’s going to be tough, but I’d take any of these girls against any boy,” John Dzurick said. “The girls I have are fantastic. They can hold their own against the boys. They have the drive, are tough and can handle it.”
Once Dzurick made the Show-Me Games his goal, it was time to put a plan into motion. He met with several parents to discuss the idea and formed a team to play in Houston’s spring league. Since those games finished, Dzurick has added two players and held 10 practices at the Houston airport in preparation for the games.
Dzurick, who has coached soccer since his 10-year-old son, Dalton, was five, said he enjoys the game at the U10 level.
“The level of aggression is higher, ball control is better and you can get them in the positions they need to be like a little foosball table,” he said.
With his team in place, Dzurick’s biggest obstacle was fundraising. It takes about $4,000 to send the team to Columbia.
The Strikers have several fundraisers planned before they leave. They will go door-to-door Thursday in neighborhoods near the airport and Tuesday around Oak Hill Drive asking for donations. There will also be a bake sale beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday outside of Walmart.
The team recently completed a raffle fundraiser and has a sponsorship banner it will take to Columbia with names of businesses who have made the trip possible.
“I’m very proud of the way the community has helped us out. They’ve been fantastic,” Dzurick said.
With several months of planning, practices and fundraising completed, Dzurick’s goal of playing in the Show-Me Games is just days away.
“This is a great group of kids that make it all worth it,” he said.
I saw highlights on the news one day and thought, ‘You know, my kids can do that.’”