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Parent Spotlight:
Karl Ostrand
by Sharon Bargas
Karl Ostrand became attracted to soccer as an adolescent growing up in Virgina. As he grew older, his love for the game grew as well, so when a coaching opportunity with Gladiators Soccer Club, came to his attention he jumped at the chance to follow his dreams.
“I felt like it was an opportunity to give back to the sport,” says Ostrand.
After two years as a coach, he moved into a new role as Director of Operations. According to Ostrand, the club was expanding and his position was created to manage the growth.
“This was a dream job for me,” says Ostrand. “I had to pinch myself to make sure it was really happening to me.”
Part of the reason for the growth was because the Gladiator Soccer Club merged with the West Omaha Soccer Club. Each club started off small with a handful of teams. Now, the Club is one of the largest and most successful programs in the state. Currently, there are 1,500 players that are members.
Ostrand says soccer has grown in popularity over the last decade. Ostrand noted that it isn’t hard to pass by a field and see a soccer game happening on a weekend, but in recent years, it is growing in popularity.
“I’m not surprised to see the excitement spreading for the game,” says Ostrand. “Soccer is the most well-known sport internationally, so now it’s really catching on with children of all ages.”
What’s the appeal?
When asked what the appeal of the sport is, Ostrand doesn’t hesitate to mention all of the fantastic benefits of soccer. For one, there is minimal equipment required to play the game, so anyone can easily play the game. Ostrand says, really all that is necessary is a soccer ball and shin guards. He also says players just need to find an open field to run from goal to goal. Additionally, it is a great sport to stay fit and active because players are always running.
Ostrand really stands behind the Gladiator Soccer Club’s philosophy of encouraging coaches to help develop children in four areas including: technical soccer skills, tactical on field awareness, physical conditioning, along with individual character development and sportsmanship. According to Ostrand, the players develop friendships through a positive and nurturing environment, as well as the importance of teamwork
“These qualities will help players handle any obstacle throughout their lives,” says Ostrand.
Spreading the joy of soccer to children in need
Realizing what soccer can do for children, he decided to spread the joy of soccer to groups of children in need, which led him to Afghanistan. In December 2007, as he and his wife, Julie, were planning a trip to Kabul to visit his brother-in-law, a teacher there.
"I thought, 'We're going there anyway, why not bring soccer supplies to the children,'" says Ostrand. "I think sports can bring people together that don't have a lot of hope."
Using his connections to Omaha soccer programs, he started looking for donations. In a little more than a month, he had collected $4,000 in balls, jerseys and other gear from his Gladiator program, local stores Soccer Internationale and Soccer Zone, and from Creighton's women's team.
The Ostrands flew from Omaha to Kabul and the supplies were waiting for them when they arrived in Afghanistan. According to Ostrand, initially he had to get over the shock of his surroundings.
“It was so cold and I was in socks, boots and a winter coat, but I saw children walking around without coats and barefoot,” says Ostrand. “It was heartbreaking because the local workers earn about $25 per month, so finding a way to give their children something as simple as a soccer ball is usually impossible,” says Ostrand.
Ostrand says that there were many people excited to see him and eager to help him deliver the equipment to the children. Some of the equipment went to schools. He also met with Karim Keramuddin, president of the Afghanistan Football Federation, who promised to give the equipment to Afghanistan’s women’s national team, which only recently was able to play because of years of ravaging wars that plagued the country.
According to Ostrand, in particular, soccer is helping to change a culture that has long oppressed women. “Soccer can give girls and women better self-esteem and gain confidence with their newly found abilities,” says Ostrand.
Inspiring Moments
During the trip he had the opportunity to meet a sixteen-year-old girl that was planning to play for the women’s national team. “Just watching her play in the middle of a snow-covered field that was walled off for the player’s protection really touched my heart,” says Ostrand. “It was amazing and hit me that we are so blessed because our kids have so many freedoms.”
The other unforgettable moment for Ostrand revolved around a trip inside Afghanistan’s Ghazi Stadium in Kabul. This was once the site of public executions under the Taliban. But, while he was at the field, he only saw a team of young Afghans playing soccer on the rough field.
“It was such a powerful image because the stadium still looks exactly the same as in the pictures of the Taliban execution fields – except instead of executions, there were young teenage boys out their playing,” says Ostrand. “I felt like I was watching Afghanistan’s future.”
Back in Omaha, Ostrand says he has been forever changed by his experience and takes a different outlook to the soccer field as he coaches the kids at the Club.
Ostrand’s experience has opened the door for his interest in giving more to a country in desperate need of assistance. He is now raising funds to help mothers who are in need of baby formula.
“It’s not a soccer ball this time, but it’s another way to give Afghanistan further hope for a positive future.”
If you would like to make a contribution of soccer equipment or powdered baby formula, Ostrand is still accepting donations and can be contacted through www.gladiatorsoccer.com
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