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CNN Saturday Morning News

Soccer More than Just a Game

Aired November 09, 2002 - 08:58   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Well, to be called a soccer mom or dad has been the phrase for a two parent family with two kids, an SUV or a minivan and a house in the suburbs.
But as CNN's Anne McDermott discovered, for some, a children's soccer game has a much deeper meaning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNE MCDERMOTT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Autumn in L.A., it means soccer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, Sarah, beautiful.

MCDERMOTT: And everybody plays -- the five year olds, the 15 year olds. And about 2,000 play on this field alone each weekend, from September to December. The fans? The parents. And siblings. They watch, too. But first, a pause for picture day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look at me now, Steve. One, two, three.

MCDERMOTT: Does it all look a little too perfect, maybe a little too white bread? Well, maybe.

But then there's this man, Avi Lebiovici, referee, coach, mentor and son of holocaust survivors who taught him to overcome evil by seeking out what's good.

AVI LEIBOVICI, SOCCER ENTHUSIAST: For me, it's being at soccer fields for children. It, because it's, it represents life. It's wonderful. It's a celebration of life.

MCDERMOTT: And they love this celebration. They love this game.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Because it's fun and it's also very healthy for your body.

MCDERMOTT: And, after a healthy game, a snack. Snack time is very popular. But what the parents like is watching, watching their children while they're still children. They do grow up fast.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Hi, mom -- is it rolling?

MCDERMOTT: OK, back to the game. And it is just a game. But sometimes, sometimes it can also be a celebration of life.

Anne McDermott, CNN, Los Angeles. (END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired November 9, 2002 - 08:58   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Well, to be called a soccer mom or dad has been the phrase for a two parent family with two kids, an SUV or a minivan and a house in the suburbs.
But as CNN's Anne McDermott discovered, for some, a children's soccer game has a much deeper meaning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNE MCDERMOTT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Autumn in L.A., it means soccer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, Sarah, beautiful.

MCDERMOTT: And everybody plays -- the five year olds, the 15 year olds. And about 2,000 play on this field alone each weekend, from September to December. The fans? The parents. And siblings. They watch, too. But first, a pause for picture day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look at me now, Steve. One, two, three.

MCDERMOTT: Does it all look a little too perfect, maybe a little too white bread? Well, maybe.

But then there's this man, Avi Lebiovici, referee, coach, mentor and son of holocaust survivors who taught him to overcome evil by seeking out what's good.

AVI LEIBOVICI, SOCCER ENTHUSIAST: For me, it's being at soccer fields for children. It, because it's, it represents life. It's wonderful. It's a celebration of life.

MCDERMOTT: And they love this celebration. They love this game.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Because it's fun and it's also very healthy for your body.

MCDERMOTT: And, after a healthy game, a snack. Snack time is very popular. But what the parents like is watching, watching their children while they're still children. They do grow up fast.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Hi, mom -- is it rolling?

MCDERMOTT: OK, back to the game. And it is just a game. But sometimes, sometimes it can also be a celebration of life.

Anne McDermott, CNN, Los Angeles. (END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com