A healthy community is made up of individuals, and we recognize those who go above and beyond. DSAL’s Health and Fitness department announces our first Athletes of the Month! Thank you to everyone for your dedication, respect, and contributions!
Recreational Soccer
Aiden Valenzuela is the athlete of the month in DSAL’s recreational soccer program. Aiden participated in DSAL’s Summer 4v4 and Summer Pick-up programs where he demonstrated great sportsmanship, was always respectful, and became an amazing team player. Aiden consistently attended our summer soccer programs and thoughtfully stayed to help with clean up after every session.
Boxing and Fitness
Boxers Isaiah Lane and Emmanuel Hernandez are our featured athletes of the month for DSAL’s boxing program. Isaiah has been training in our boxing program since 2016, and Emmanuel has been training since 2017. Coaches nominated Isaiah and Emmanuel because of their dedication, respect, loyalty, and consistency to the DSAL Boxing Academy. Coaches say that Isaiah and Emmanuel are both very soft spoken until they enter the ring and then everything changes. “Their boxing skills speak louder than words.”
Muevete
Victoria Vivaldo is the Athlete of the Month Victoria for our Muevete dance program. Victoria is not only a dedicated dance program participant, she has also been helping the Eden Church at Hayward with COVID vaccine and COVID testing. Additionally, Victoria volunteers at Cherryland Elementary School. She has been a dedicated volunteer for the community for the past 15 years!
Congratulations to Nezam Etemadi - DSAL’s new Athletics Director
Congratulations to Nezam Etemadi, on his promotion from Soccer Director to Athletics Director. Nezam will oversee all aspects of DSAL’s Health and Recreation departments.
Nezam is an East Bay native with more than 20 years of experience in sports and community recreation. He started his career at the Fremont/Newark YMCA and has since worked in the Union City, Oakland, and Emeryville communities. In addition to his responsibilities for DSAL, Nezam is also the Flag Football Manager for the San Francisco 49ers and was instrumental in launching DSAL's 49ers PREP Flag Football program earlier this year.
“DSAL’s Health and Fitness department is growing by leaps and bounds, and we are thrilled to have someone with Nezam’s background and experience in this vital position,” said Hilary Bass, Crime Prevention Sr. Program Specialist, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. “DSAL’s free Health and Fitness activities have improved thousands of lives by providing healthy alternatives for youth and families in Alameda County’s underinvested, unincorporated communities. Nezam’s deep roots in the East Bay, combined with his two decades of experience in sports and recreation, make him an ideal choice for this important role.”
Follow the proud work we've been doing and find out about opportunities in your community by signing up for our newsletter.