Making a Positive Change in Sayulita: Cheri Hasburgh

 Cheri Hasburgh, originally from Vancouver, Canada, first bought a house with her husband in Sayulita 16 years ago. However, seven years ago, they decided to live in Sayulita full time and have been living here ever since. Cheri is passionate about soccer and was very instrumental in starting Sayulita Futbol Club, which she has now been involved with for five years.

How did you get involved with Sayulita Futbol Club?

I got involved with Sayulita Futbol Club when my kids entered Costa Verde International School. At the time, they had a boy’s soccer team and I signed up both of my kids to play. I met the coach, Martin Flores, and we decided to expand the club and start a women’s team and two more boys’ teams as well as a teenage girl’s team.

How does this organization make a difference in Sayulita?

You can go down any street in this town and often see kids, women, men…. anyone and everyone kicking a ball. The talent for soccer is so deep in this town, but what was lacking was, firstly, a place to play, and secondly, coaches. I believe our organization offers kids, women and men a place to play in a safe, competitive or noncompetitive atmosphere.

What motivates you to continue to try to make a positive impact in Sayulita?

What motivates me are the children. I have seen so many of these kids develop, not only as players, but citizens of this town who really care about their environment, their teammates, and have such respect for a sport and themselves. When you can provide a beautiful field, a pair of cleats, a new uniform to a kid that has not experienced these kinds of things, it can be life changing. For both us and them.  

What changes do you want to see brought about by this group?

Hmmm… I want to see more kids involved. I would like to see more younger girls involved. We have a team of teenage girls ages 14 and up, and I think if we could start them a little younger it will help guide them towards a healthy lifestyle, empowerment. We have really young girls playing, but my project this year is to start a team that will fill in the 10 to 13 year old gap of girls.  

What role do you play?I am the founder, along with Martin Flores. We started the club together. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support and partnership in the field we have with Cruz and Luz Rodriguez. Charlene Cordner has been the girl’s coach, and my teammate, for the past four years. I play on the women’s team and I am a soccer mom for my two children, Jensen and Wheeler.  

What have you gained from your involvement with this group?

I have gained a renewed love for the sport I had played my entire childhood. I have to check myself at times and say, wait, I need to step back and be a spectator, an administrator, but it is difficult for me. At 48 years old I want to play like I did in high school. I still practice two days a week and play on weekends.  

What positive changes have you seen brought about by your efforts? What are you most proud of?

I have to say, as a long time resident of Sayulita, and knowing the history of this town and the Mexican ways….( I might get in trouble for this one)… there is nothing that makes me happier than when I am on the field with my women’s team, that ranges from 18 years old to 48 years old, and look over to the sidelines and see the husbands, boyfriends, and families of these players cheering them on. These women I am playing with are local, hard working, students, mothers, aunties, and in the moment, this is their time, and they have the support behind them to do something they really love to do and is amazing for their self-esteem and health.  

What additional change(s) would you like to see in the future and what are you doing to make this happen?

This is a big year for us. We are going to actually have a web page! Every year we are trying to add a little more to the club. I would really love to start a futbol camp in the future too. I am working on an exchange program with the USA and Canada where we can invite teams to play with us, and where we might be able to travel to other countries as well.

How can others help?

The way others can help is to donate.  Whatever a person can donate is great for us. We have had people donate uniforms, balls, cleats, and if our club does not use them, we pass them along to the neighboring towns. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Cheri at cherihasburgh@me.com.