Team Spotlight: Don Bosco Youth Center FC

Don Bosco Youth Center FC is a small community football program based in Pasil, one of Cebu City’s most crowded and low-income neighborhoods. The team trains about 25 boys and girls aged 9–15 on a narrow concrete space beside the parish church. Most players come from families working in fishing, vending, or daily-wage jobs.

The club began when Coach Rico, a former player from the area, started free practices with two donated balls. Today, several volunteers help run weekly sessions after school. Players often share gear or wear mismatched shoes, and the team cleans the training area themselves before practice.

Travel to matches is rare since they lack funds for transport, but the coaches organize small local games to keep the kids engaged. They emphasize discipline, school attendance, and teamwork as much as football. Parents sometimes bring food or water to support training.

Despite limited resources, Don Bosco Youth Center FC remains one of the few programs in the area where children can play safely and feel part of a team.