Nicholas Downs, an eighth-grader at Driscoll Middle School, was accepted into the South Texas Olympic Development Program (ODP) for soccer earlier this year. Nicholas' age group consists of two teams with 17-18 players on each team. Nicholas also attended the Regional ODP Camp at the University of Alabama this past summer.

In addition to his acceptance into the ODP, Downs received the opportunity this year to participate in a Soccer School Course in Liverpool, as well as an invitation to play with a group of Japanese soccer players attending the school.

"Going to England and attending this Soccer club and going to the games just made him more determined to work harder," said Maria Downs, Nicholas' mother. "He wants to go back to England next year, and go to his favorite Club Manchester United."

According to Maria, Nicholas aspires to become the best soccer player in the world and to one day be a part of the World Cup. Nicholas trains three days a week with his team, and then practices on his own the rest of the week by running uphill in Mud Creek to build his leg muscles and practicing his free kicks at McAllister park.

"He had two older brothers to play with, so he learned to be tough," said Maria. Nicholas started playing soccer when he was six-years-old.