TAMPA, Fla. — Soccer has been good to Tampa Catholic High School seniors Dominick Coniglio and Jackson Eckley.
The high school stars credit the sport for helping their friendships, their confidence, even their relationships at home.
So now the Crusaders want all kids, especially those who cannot always afford sports equipment, to share that same sports boost.
“Everyone should have the same chances we did,” says Coniglio.
Coniglio and Eckley teamed with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission’s Replay Tampa Bay, which collects new and gently used sports gear for kids in need.
After a big social media push on Snapchat, the best friends collected gear from fans, family and the community at this week's Tampa Catholic Boys Soccer Preseason Invitational.
The Replay Tampa Bay bins have overflowed — but they want more.
Coniglio, Eckley and the Crusaders play again on Wednesday in a tilt against Tampa’s Robinson High School.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Donations will be collected at the door.
All sports equipment is welcome, but the players definitely have a certain item at the top of their wishlist.
“Everyone can play soccer,” says Eckley. “All you need is a ball.”
For more on Replay Tampa Bay, visit www.tampabaysports.org/ReplayTampaBay.
To see Tampa Catholic’s varsity boys soccer schedule, go to www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/tampa-catholic-crusaders-(tampa,fl)/soccer-winter/home.htm.
