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Mission christens youth soccer fields

Four teams of young soccer players took to two new fields at Hollis Rutledge Park off Inspiration Road after a Saturday morning ribbon cutting ceremony.

The junior-sized fields were made possible through the city of Mission’s partnership with Mondelēz International and H-E-B and a $50,000 investment. The new fields include goals, bleachers and irrigation.

20150124 MISSION Soccer-field-opens 2356“Its interesting that the road behind us is called Inspiration because I really feel that this park, these two fields, are going to be an inspiration to a lot of children as they get out here and they learn competition, which is what life is about, they learn teamwork, and they learn how to have a passion for something,” said Twyla Bailey, regional director of retail for Mondelēz International.

For Mondelēz International, the fields are part of the #PassTheLove campaign, “an initiative that inspires people by sharing the personal connection they have with the sport of soccer.” Mondelēz International is the maker of Oreo, Ritz, Trident and Sour Patch Kids and sponsors several top soccer teams and players, states a news release.

At Saturday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Mondelēz International also donated a pile of soccer balls to ensure the city had all of the equipment it needed.

Mission City Manager Martin Garza and Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas said they were thankful for efforts of the two companies, and Garza emphasized the passion the city has for youth services. Meanwhile, Salinas took the time to address rumors he’d heard that H-E-B might close the old store on Conway Avenue and asked the folks at H-E-B not to do it.

Salinas also noted plans to widen Inspiration Road from the Expressway up through Mile 3.

“These soccer fields will give our children another avenue to stay healthy, stay out of trouble, and stay involved in positive activities,” the mayor stated in the news release.  

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