Juan Manuel Burnias is the perfect example of the dedication, good sportsmanship, and love of soccer that our Toros Academy students display. The Memorial Wolverines High School 9th grader has been part of the academy for more than a year and a half.
His good attitude and hard work have led him to be one of the most well liked players in our center. Although Burnias has been playing soccer since he was eight years old, he played in different fields and never belonged to a team. Juan Manuel started coming to Plaza Sports Center to accompany his dad who played in the men’s league.
He often saw other boys his age playing in the fields and wanted to be part of their team. One day, Burnias decided to approach a group of players and ask them how he could join the team.
They directed him to the coach who invited Juan Manuel to join them for a Toros Academy practice. Since his first day at the academy, Burnias demonstrated excellent potential and commitment.
He has been able to train with other boys his age and learn specific skills and techniques that have improved his level of play. “It is a very good academy,” said Burnias. “I like it because they train you in many different ways and you improve your fitness level and you learn new techniques. I’ve really learned a lot.”
One of the things that Burnias has always liked about Toros Academy is that everyone gets the opportunity to play and be part of the team. This allows players to develop good relationships and learn to play as a team, which reflects in their performance at matches.
Although the 14-year-old midfielder has played throughout the Rio Grande Valley, he feels that the Plaza Sports Center facilities are the best in the area. “I really like the fields at Plaza because they look very nice and it feels good to play in them.
Other places just have a carpet or the fields are very uneven,” explains Burnias. “The center also has more security than other places. They really take care of the kids here.” The skills that are taught at Toros Academy don’t just involve technique and strategy; the coaches also focus on teaching players the importance of discipline, collaboration, and good sportsmanship.
Juan Manuel knows that these are life skills that will help him become a better soccer player and will help him achieve his goal of becoming a computer engineer someday.
