March Madness Takes To The Pitch With The Tobar Futbol Academy

Clark Thompson, MetroSports Magazine - March 20, 2022

March Madness has taken hold of the New York Metro area with the Big East NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at NYC’s Madison Square Garden, the Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mohegan Sun in nearby Connecticut, the NCTTA’s North East Championships at the Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville New York, and the Tobar Futbol Academy’s March Madness at the Hudson Valley Sportsdome in Milton, New York.

Tobar Futbol, is a soccer academy based in Orange and Ulster Counties, New York, and is dedicated to the long-term player development of athletes from ages 3 and up. As told to us by Tracy Stadler, "our goal is to develop players’ individual and team skills, promote character and leadership qualities, inspire and create a lifelong passion for the game of soccer through quality instruction and high-level competitive play. We strive to help our players develop important life skills such as good sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, goal setting and hard work."

Although Tobar Futbol hosted an indoor event in December, this was their first March Madness indoor soccer event held at the Hudson Valley Sportsdome. Boys and girls teams age U9- High school competed over the two days. Teams hailed from clubs such as: Orange County, East Fishkill, Beacon, Sommers, Wappingers, Cortlandt, New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, Town of Wallkill, Yorktown, Ballston Spa, Rotterdam, and Connecticut.

Tournament Chair Adam Mires commented “although the weather wasn’t in our favor it was great to see so many kids on the field prepping for their upcoming spring seasons. We look forward to hosting these teams and many more next winter.”

All of Tobar Futbol’s coaches hold USSF (United States Soccer Federation) Licenses. Tobar Futbol Academy is led by Director Victor Tobar, an All-American High School and College athlete who played professionally for Colo-Colo in Chile. Coach Victor, who holds a USSF "A" license, has taken several of his teams back to Chile to participate in international competitions. He has also hosted events for Chilean athletes to attend here in the US. He hopes to be able to resume those trips soon.

Tobar Futbol Academy will be hosting their spring tryouts in late April. Please visit their website or social media pages for more information or contact Coach Víctor at 845-594-1466 or vtobar32@yahoo.com

Feel free to stop by Galeville Park in Wallkill to catch a game. With 13 teams competing and a youth training program you’re sure to find someone on the pitch.

All photos by Clark Thompson, www.ClarkShots1.com

Special thanks to Tracy Stadler, Tobar Futbol Academy