Wolves Athletic Club — Iranzi

When caring coaches create safe spaces for young people to grow and learn through sport — magic happens 🪄

Iranzi's soccer journey with the Wolves has empowered this young man not only in athletic pursuits, but in life. It starts with Coach Pascal who simply refuses to allow location or circumstance to be an excuse to not include Iranzi in the Wolves U15 Soccer team, and it grows from there. A leader amongst his peers, with younger kids at Free to Play coaching, and going forward next year into a big Jr High transition.

We are extremely proud of Iranzi and his growth since he’s joined the Wolves! 🐺

Iranzi’s Interview Transcript

Told me, like, I didn’t even know to check the schedule when we have the games. Pascal used to drive to my school to come remind me that we have a game. My name is Iranzi Brian. I'm from Kenya. I’m fourteen years old. I have played with Wolves for two years now. They came to our school; I met some of the coaches at the school, John D. Bracco.

My older brother can speak English a little bit more than me, so he translates, and they told him they’d like me to join the team. Told me to come here. I didn't know how to come here—like to Commonwealth to practice. And he took my phone, he downloaded Google Maps.

Actually feels good, like, to join a team. I remember I actually didn't deserve to join a team. But Pascal and Matan, they just helped me; they let me join the team. So when, let’s say, Pascal is explaining the drill, I remember he used to explain to me after explaining to the whole team. He’d take me aside, and he’d start explaining with his hands—like signs, yeah.

I'm actually a good player now. I play for John D. Bracco’s team. I do play soccer outside. Let's say we don't have practice—I come to Commonwealth. We have a group chat, like a Snapchat group chat. We just talk and meet here. My friends—almost all of my friends—are going to East Glen. So yeah, I want to go with my friends.

Our ✨ Parentemonials 💫 series will focus on sharing stories from families that benefit from Free Play For Kids!