Philly kids get World Cup moment of a lifetime
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Gavin Hernandez (left) and Cesar Castellanos. Photos: Courtesy of Safe-Hub
Gavin Hernandez had one item atop his birthday wish list: an electric scooter.
- That was before he found out he'd be spending his 12th birthday walking onto the field of a World Cup match with an international soccer star.
Why it matters: Gavin is one of 20 kids from a Kensington youth programming group selected for FIFA's player escort program — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that's putting local kids at the center of the world's biggest sporting event.
Driving the news: FIFA is partnering with Philadelphia's Safe-Hub for the player walkouts at the France and Iraq match on June 22 and the knockout match on July 4.
- The soccer-focused organization, founded in South Africa, is organizing a special send-off for its kids participating.
Context: Safe-Hub launched in Kensington in the summer of 2020, serving children ages 5 to 15.
- Now, more than 3,000 city youth participate each year in its programs, which range from soccer practices to science lessons and workforce development workshops.
How it works: For the 12 boys and eight girls selected for the honor, World Cup matchday will be an all-day affair.
- The children will arrive at Philadelphia Stadium hours ahead of kickoff for rehearsals, activities and a walk-through before stepping onto the field in front of a global audience.
What they're saying: The kids won't know which player they'll accompany onto the field until right before the match starts, so coaches and parents have been managing expectations in the lead-up to the tournament, Elizabeth Clinton, Safe-Hub's development manager, told Axios.
- "We want to make sure that kids know not everyone's gonna be able to hold in Mbappé's hand," she said, referring to France's biggest star. "There's only one Mbappé."
Not that it matters to Gavin and 11-year-old Cesar Castellanos, who will celebrate his 12th birthday the day before the July 4 match. When they found out they landed the opportunity:
- "I was screaming, jumping — I was just out of my mind," Cesar told Axios.
- "I wanted to cry," Gavin said.
For Gavin — who is rooting for Portugal and his favorite player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in his final World Cup appearance — this will be his first time attending a professional soccer game.
- This is shaping up to be his most memorable birthday ever — especially if his grandmother lands the scooter.