Vita Coco and US Soccer Foundation Install Mini Pitch at Denver Elementary
Trevista at Horace Mann students now use the small field for daily recess, following a 2018 installation at Bryant Webster Dual Language School.
By Harper Foster ·
Vita Coco and the U.S. Soccer Foundation installed a new mini soccer pitch at Trevista at Horace Mann in Denver. The addition was revealed to mark the start of the new school year in August 2026.
Aric Pelafas, a physical education teacher at the school, initiated the process four years ago by contacting the U.S. Soccer Foundation about the need for a dedicated space. He noted that many students have limited exposure to organized sports. "We have lots of kids that get exposed to sports and haven't played soccer or are there any organized activities at all," Pelafas said. Since the grand opening, students have used the facility every day during recess.
Pelafas stated that the pitch serves to teach life skills alongside athletic ability. He emphasized that being a good person is more important than winning or losing. "That's one of the best parts of soccer, is just seeing them go through those emotions together," Pelafas said. He observed students supporting one another through the highs and lows of the game.
Teyo Boltkolinek, a student who has played soccer since age three, described the playing experience on the small field. He noted that the ball moves quickly when kicked hard but can slow down due to the walls. "It moves pretty quick when you like kick it fast, but it can also move slow because there's walls and there's no outs so you can like pass against the wall," Boltkolinek said.
Trevista at Horace Mann is not the first Denver Public Schools campus to host such a facility. Bryant Webster Dual Language School received a mini pitch in 2018. Assistant principal Andrew Hernandez at that school described the area as likely the most popular spot on campus.
Hernandez said he observes students of varying ages playing together in the mornings. The school serves an extended care academy population ranging from three to fourteen years old. "Even the older students will kind of like, tone it down and create a space where everyone can play together," Hernandez said.
Source: KMGH-TV
