DA’S Summer Soccer Event Hits Dorchester Tomorrow

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, the New England Revolution soccer team, and local businesses will help about 100 Boston-area youth get their kicks tomorrow at the ninth annual Soccer for Peace tournament at Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester.

Revolution players Kevin Alston and Darrius Barnes, soccer coaches from America Scores New England, and DJ Pup Dawg from WJMN 94.5’s Ramiro and Pebbles morning show will join Conley at the annual event, which brings city kids together with Suffolk prosecutors, victim advocates, and other public safety officials for a day of safe, healthy, team-oriented fun.

Pre-game registration begins at 12:30, with Conley expected to deliver brief welcoming remarks at 2:00. Young players will have a chance to get autographs from and pictures with the DA, Alston, and Barnes if they wish.

The games will begin at 2:30 and conclude at about 4:15. A trophy ceremony will be held at their conclusion, with DJ Pup Dawg naming one Good Sportsmanship Award winner from each team. Conley will present the trophies.

Citizens Bank will provide each young player with a backpack full of school supplies. Stop & Shop, the Cheesecake Factory, Wal-Mart, Roche Bros., Lamberts, Walgreens, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Brookline Ice and Coal, Dunkin’ Donuts, Finagle a Bagel, and Richie’s Slush are all lending their support as well, providing food, drink, and materiel.

Lending assistance and joining the fun will be staff from St. Peter’s Teen Center, the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, the Bird Street Community Center, the Dorchester Youth Collaborative, the Upham’s Corner Safe Neighborhood Initiative, and other community and non-profit partner agencies.

Each summer since 2003, Conley has welcomed Suffolk County residents to Dorchester’s Pope John Paul II Park, where kids, teens, and adults break off into teams and play one another in the world’s most popular sport. Conley’s office hosts the event as a way to build harmony, community, and leadership skills for young people while playing host to a fun, end-of-summer activity.