Raul Contreras, 14, Juan Martinez, 11, and Walter Martinez, 14, play soccer in the San Mateo Police Activities League.

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THE WISH: SOCCER UNIFORMS, MEDALS, TEAM PICTURES

A league with room for all

the large gym is filled with the sounds of soccer -- stomping feet, smacking kicks and shouting children, interspersed with barking commands from the coaches. During the San Mateo Police Activities League's soccer season, it's wall-to-wall kids in the gymnasium at the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, where the collaborative program opens its doors to hundreds of locals who can't afford to join other organized sports leagues.

``I've got the best job in the police department,'' says Officer Randy Bickel, who started the program in his living room about five years ago and now has a full-time job running year-round activities. ``The kids love it. Indoor soccer is unusual, and everybody gets to play.''

San Mateo PAL was created to offer quality activities run by police officers, who act as coaches, chaperons, friends and mentors. ``A lot of families only see the police when they come into a neighborhood because there's a problem,'' says Randy, 34. ``Here, they get a chance to see us in a different light, and to build a different kind of relationship.''

PAL serves kids ages 5 to 14 in a season that runs from April to June. Last year, more than 300 girls and boys played in the coed league for a fee of $10, which is waived for those who can't afford it. Parents are delighted to put their kids in after-school programs run by police, Randy says, because they feel there is no safer place.

``I've seen soccer turn kids around and really bring them out of their shells,'' Randy says. ``It really makes a long-term positive difference in their lives. It's much more than a game.''

Since PAL and the Boys & Girls Club serve mostly low-income families, they depend on donations for trophies, tournament entry fees and team pictures. The kids would feel more of a sense of belonging, though, if they could wear uniforms like other soccer league players ($16.50 per child) (18A). Medals ($3 each) (18B) and a team photo ($2.50 each) (18C) would make a complete package.