How a humble grassroots club in Cagayan de Oro turned a simple promise into a movement that shapes young warriors.
On an ordinary weekend in Cagayan de Oro, while the city hums with traffic and market chatter, another kind of noise rises from a dusty pitch — the thud of a worn-out ball, the chorus of children laughing, coaches shouting reminders, parents clapping from the sidelines.
In the middle of it all, a group of boys and girls in maroon and white chase the same dream.
They are the Cavaliers.
Cavalier Football Club, founded on September 21, 2024, did not start with big sponsors, fancy gear, or a private field. It began with a simple promise shared by parents and coaches:
Para sa bata. For the child.
Every decision, every training, every sacrifice revolves around that promise.
“We always reminded ourselves why we started this — para sa bata,” says General Secretary Ma. Theresa C. Carrillo. “Kung may pagod man, may gastos, may luha sa talo — we go back to that. We are here because the kids deserve a chance.”
From West Warriors to Cavaliers
Before the Cavaliers had a name, they were just public school kids with big dreams — the football-loving students of West City Central School, known locally as the West Warriors.
When Carmen FC, a club built by passionate former players and alumni of MOGCHS, opened its doors for free daily training, many of these children grabbed the opportunity. Day after day, they traveled, trained, and played — not for medals, but for the joy of having a field, a ball, and a place where their love for football was welcome.
Then came the turning point.
Circumstances shifted. Some families could no longer continue with Carmen FC. For many, that could have been the end of the story — dreams cut short by distance, finances, and changes beyond their control.
But the parents refused to let football become just a memory.
Instead of giving up, they chose to build something of their own, right where their children lived and studied. From that courage, Carmen Cavalier FC was born — a small group with a big heart, which would later grow into Cavalier Football Club.
On September 21, 2024, under the harsh midday sun at Pelaez Sports Center, 44 young players and 6 brave coaches gathered with no official home pitch, no big budget, and no guarantees. They had borrowed balls and jerseys still being designed.
But they also had something no one could take away:
A new identity.
A new banner to play for.
A new football family determined to rise together.
Why “Cavalier”?
The word “Cavalier” is not just a cool name on a jersey.
It is a symbol chosen with intention — inspired in part by their General Secretary, but embraced fully by the entire club.
Historically, cavaliers were warriors on horseback — protectors who stood between danger and the people they served. For Cavalier Football Club, the name means:
- A player who rises every time they fall.
- A child who fights not just for themselves, but for their teammates and family.
- A community that shields its young from doubt and limitation.
Every time the Cavaliers take the field, they play not only for the name on their kit, but for the parents who save for fare, for coaches who volunteer time, for the classmates who cheer them on.
They are young, yes — but they carry themselves like soldiers of the game.
First Battles, First Scars, First Glory
Cavalier FC’s first test came at the BUKFAITH Cup in Valencia, Bukidnon.
They came home with no trophy.
But they did not return empty-handed.
They brought back something more valuable:
Lessons. Hunger. The realization that they belonged on that stage — even if the medals weren’t around their necks yet.
From that point on, the Cavaliers trained with a different fire. Mistakes became notes. Losses became fuel. Every drill had a purpose. Every friendly game felt like preparation for something bigger.
Just seven months after their founding, the breakthrough came.
At the Mayor Quijano Football Cup (LUDU) in Iligan City, Cavalier Football Club did what many thought would take years — they claimed their first championship title. Alongside the trophy came individual awards: MVP, Best Defender, and other recognitions that screamed one thing:
Cavalier FC had arrived.
But if you ask the coaches, they will tell you: the medals were not the greatest victory.
The real victory was seeing kids who used to doubt themselves now playing with heads held high, unafraid of anyone standing across them on the pitch.
A Club Built on Sacrifice, Not Fees
Cavalier Football Club is a non-profit club. Many of its players come from families who struggle financially. For some kids, even buying a pair of proper football boots is already a huge challenge.
But this is where Cavalier’s story becomes distinctly Filipino.
Parents pool whatever they can.
Coaches volunteer long hours after work.
Supporters donate balls, cones, and used shoes.
Schools open their doors so kids can train.
The Cavaliers may not have the best facilities, but they have something that money cannot buy: bayanihan.
From West City Central School’s early support to the generosity of St. Mary’s Academy of Carmen, which allows the team to use their pitch free of charge, Cavalier Football Club has grown on the strength of people saying:
“Wala kaming kayamanan, pero meron kaming malasakit. Tuloy ang laro ng mga bata.”
Who the Cavaliers Play For: Programs “Para sa Lahat”
Cavalier Football Club welcomes players from almost every stage of childhood and youth.
They train boys and girls:
- 4–6 years old – discovering the joy of running, kicking, and playing with friends
- 7–10 years old – learning basics, teamwork, and confidence
- 11–13 years old – sharpening skills and decision-making
- 14–16 years old – stepping into competitive football with maturity
- 17 and above – taking on leadership, responsibility, and bigger challenges
Training sessions are held every Saturday and Sunday, with extra sessions whenever there are no academic conflicts. School first, football always waiting — not as a distraction, but as a second classroom.
Because for Cavalier Football Club, the pitch is also a place to learn:
- Punctuality
- Respect
- Accountability
- How to win with humility and lose with grace
The Heart of the System: Coaches Who Teach Life, Not Just Football
Leading the tactical and developmental program is Head Coach Godofredo P. Abuzo III, a License D coach whose passion extends far beyond formations and drills.
Beside him stands a committed staff of coaches:
- Rhoden Mercado
- Regie Mercado
- Ricky Mercado
- Webster Hanginan
- Long Nams
Together, they share one philosophy:
We are not just building players. We are raising people.
Discipline is non-negotiable.
Teamwork is demanded.
Respect is constant — for referees, for opponents, for parents, for the game.
They correct mistakes, but they also celebrate small improvements: a better first touch, a smarter pass, a braver tackle. They remind each child that they are seen, heard, and believed in.
Under their guidance, many Cavaliers who once walked quietly now lead warm-ups, communicate on the pitch, and encourage younger teammates.
That is the real scoreboard.
Programs That Open Doors
To make sure every child finds a place to grow, Cavalier Football Club runs specialized programs, including:
- Goalkeeper Training – for the brave souls willing to dive, block, and carry the weight of the last line of defense
- Futsal – sharpening close control, quick decisions, and creativity in tight spaces
- School-Based Outreach Programs – taking football to campuses and communities where kids might never otherwise touch a ball
- Mixed Games for Grassroots Players – where girls and boys share the same pitch, same opportunities, same respect
In Cavalier Football Club, football is not “pang-lalaki lang”.
Girls are encouraged to dribble, tackle, and score just as fiercely as the boys.
Equality isn’t just a statement — it’s part of every training session.
Football for Everyone: Inclusion as a Promise
Cavalier Football Club stands on a clear belief:
Football should never be limited by money, background, or status.
The club works relentlessly to remove barriers that typically stop kids from playing.
Here, every child is free to grow at their own pace. Some will become standouts. Some will simply find joy, confidence, and friends. All of them, however, will learn that they belong.
In Cavalier Football Club, the jersey does not ask who you are.
It only asks one thing:
Are you willing to give your heart?
Tournaments That Shaped Their Character
Despite being a young club, Cavalier FC has already carried the colors of Cagayan de Oro to various tournaments across Mindanao and beyond, including:
- Bukfaith Cup – Valencia, Bukidnon
- Olles Cup – Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon
- Mayor Quijano Football Cup (LUDU) – Iligan City
- Isabelle Football Cup – Pala-o, Iligan City
- Magis Cup – Cagayan de Oro City
- Higalaay Football Cup – Grip Hub, CDO
- 17th & 18th Rosevale Cup
- Cherifer – Xavier Ateneo Cup
- Kinawe Football Cup
- Diamond Hillsider Cup – Camp Evangelista, Patag, CDO
- Monte Carlo FC Football Cup
Every match — win or lose — is another page in their story.
Along the way, they have already collected impressive achievements:
- Champion – U10
- Champion – U13
- 3rd Runner-Up – U11
- 1st Place – U9
Individual Cavaliers have been named MVP, Best Striker, Best Midfielder, Best Defender, and Best Goalkeeper — proof that behind the team’s collective identity are young individuals growing into standout players.
But if you ask the kids what they remember most, it won’t just be the medals.
They’ll talk about:
- Long van rides with teammates
- Sharing snacks between games
- Parents shouting from makeshift tents
- Tears after a painful loss
- And the feeling of standing together during the final whistle — win or lose — as one team, one family.
A Simple Celebration That Says Everything
One of the most touching moments in Cavalier FC’s young history did not happen in a stadium.
After a stretch of exhausting matches, some parents secretly planned a small surprise: a simple swimming outing for the kids.
No hotel. No resort with a big name. Just a place to splash, laugh, and forget about scores for a while.
When the kids realized the day was for them — no drills, no pressure, just joy — the pitch hardened by sun and sweat was replaced by water, jokes, and unfiltered smiles.
It was a reminder of why the club exists.
Yes, Cavalier FC wants to build champions.
But more than that, it wants to build childhoods worth remembering.
Vision: Where Cavalier FC Wants to Go
In the next three years, Cavalier FC’s dream is clear:
- To strengthen a passionate, inclusive football community in Cagayan de Oro and beyond.
- To ensure that no child is denied the chance to play because of money or circumstance.
- To open pathways — for players, coaches, and volunteers — to grow in the game and in life.
- To partner with parents, schools, and supporters in making football a long-term part of youth development, not just a weekend activity.
Their mission is simple but powerful:
Use football to transform lives, one child, one family, one community at a time.
The Challenges They Face — and How You Can Help
Like many grassroots clubs across the Philippines, Cavalier Football Club walks a tightrope every month.
Their biggest challenges:
- Financial Limitations – From equipment to tournament fees, costs add up quickly.
- Lack of a Permanent Home Pitch – They are deeply grateful to St. Mary’s Academy of Carmen, but a stable, long-term football home remains a dream.
- Transportation – Many players live far from the competition venues; getting the whole team to tournaments is often a struggle.
Support that would make a real difference:
- Soccer balls, cones, bibs, and training gear
- Soccer shoes for kids — many still play in worn-out pairs
- Financial assistance for tournament fees and basic operations
- Help with transportation, especially for out-of-town competitions
- Long-term access to a consistent, safe training pitch
Every bit of support given to Cavalier FC doesn’t just buy gear.
It buys time, safety, and opportunity for a child who refuses to stop dreaming.
Club Culture: One Heart, One Goal
Walk into any Cavalier Football Club training session, and you will feel it immediately:
Respect.
Noise.
Laughter.
Instructions.
Encouragement.
The club is held together by values that go beyond formations and positions:
- Resilience – Fall seven times, stand up eight.
- Unity – What happens to one, happens to all.
- Honesty & Accountability – Own your mistakes, earn your improvement.
- Sportsmanship – Shake hands, look your opponent in the eye, and mean it.
Their motto says it best:
“One heart, one goal, ONE CAVALIER FC.”
It is more than a line. It is how they live.
A Message to Every Young Footballer in the Philippines
From the Cavaliers to every child with a ball — or even just a dream of one:
Football will not always be easy.
You will lose games.
You will miss chances.
You will make mistakes.
But if you stay disciplined, keep working, and play with heart, you will discover something greater than trophies:
- Courage — to do things you never thought you could.
- Character — to stay humble in victory and brave in defeat.
- Family — in teammates who fight beside you every weekend.
Don’t give up when it gets hard.
Don’t compare your journey to others.
Trust the work. Trust your coaches. Trust your heart.
And remember:
Every national player once started as a child kicking a ball on a small field, just like you.
The Hearts Behind Cavalier FC
Cavalier FC extends its heartfelt gratitude to:
• St. Mary’s Academy of Carmen – for generously opening their school grounds free of charge, giving the club a safe and stable space to train despite financial constraints.
• The club’s dedicated coaches – Rhoden Mercado, Regie Mercado, Ricky Mercado, Webster Hanginan, Long Nams, and Head Coach Godofredo P. Abuzo III, whose guidance, passion, and commitment continue to shape the club’s young athletes.
• The supportive officers and parents – who work tirelessly behind the scenes, invest their time and resources, and stand as the backbone of the club’s day-to-day operations.
Cavalier FC also proudly offers “SoccerMom Training”, a fun and engaging program for mothers who wait during practice. It allows them to stay active, learn the sport, and build friendships within the community — a true reflection of the club’s inclusive spirit.
Through the collective effort of coaches, parents, schools, and volunteers, Cavalier FC continues to grow as a home of opportunity, hope, and football dreams.
ONEFUTBOL’S SALUTE TO CAVALIER FOOTBALL CLUB
In a football landscape where many young dreams are still searching for a home, Cavalier Football Club stands as a loud, clear answer:
Yes, may lugar para sa’yo dito.
OneFutbol proudly salutes Cavalier FC — a club that proves:
- Football is strongest when it is opened to every child.
- Coaching is at its best when it also teaches discipline, courage, and character.
- Community is most powerful when it chooses to serve those with the least, but who dream the most.
To the coaches, officers, parents, and players of Cavalier FC:
Your story is not just your own.
You carry with you the story of every grassroots club fighting for children across the Philippines.
You are the heartbeat of Philippine football.
Keep raising warriors.
Keep defending your dream.
Keep building a future where every child who wants to play… can.
How to Stand With the Cavaliers
If this story moved you — if you believe, like they do, that football can change a child’s life — you can help write the next chapters of Cavalier FC’s story.
To support, donate, or join Cavalier Football Club, please reach out through:
- Official Facebook Page: Cavalier Football Club
- Contact Person: Ma. Theresa C. Carrillo
- Mobile: +63 952 566 2675
One heart.
One goal.
ONE CAVALIER FC.
