SOCCER HAS BEEN ETHAN SANCHEZ’S Ethan’s leadership skills, such as passion from the first time he was able to organizing and encouraging, are a major kick a soccer ball when he was two years old. contribution to his team, Evans says. He is also “From the time he was very little, he used to good technically, and physically he competes kick the ball so hard that his little body would well. Evans says Ethan leads by example on come off the ground. I started calling him my and off the pitch and never misses a session. ‘little flying tiger’ because of that reason,” “Ethan understands the other side of the mom Aly laughs. game which is important — such as tackling, Fast-forward about a decade and coaches heading, competing physically, and having a Simon Davey, Gareth Evans, and Kelham desire to win his battle -- a key skill for a player O’Hanlon say Ethan has a strong desire to who wants to reach his potential,” his coach genuinely give his best. “He is a supportive summarizes. player who encourages his teammates; he is His coaches won’t get any argument from a leader by communication and by leading by his mother as to Ethan’s desire to be his best. example,” says Coach Evans. Ethan never hides “I used to tell him that I thought he spent from a tough challenge, whether it’s playing more time in the air than on the ground. I still against a top player or coming back from knee remember his happy smile when I would tell surgery — which he just did successfully! them that.”
LANEY STEED