Pedro Fernandez Sarmiento, better known as ‘Dro’, is the latest sensation from La Masia, who is beginning to make waves in preseason under new coach Hansi Flick.

Just 16, Dro is the second-youngest player among the 35 who have started training under the German tactician.

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A creative attacking midfielder with flair, intelligence, and an impressive maturity, Dro is already drawing comparisons to Barça legends such as Iniesta, and his first coaches believe the sky’s the limit.

Dro hails from the Val Minor School in Nigran, where he spent nearly a decade training before joining the Barcelona academy.

Former coaches heap praise on Dro

In a recent interview with SPORT, Javi Roxo, one of the coaches at the Val Minor School, has heaped praise on Dro’s ability.

“The first time I saw Dro, he was four years old, and ten minutes after arriving at the pavilion, he left in tears,” he said.

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“Dro is a very loving and kind person with a fantastic family,” he added.

Dro took his first steps at the Val Minor school in the mini-league, playing in a pavilion with Pedro Villar, his current teammate at La Masia.

“The two Pedros allowed us to win many games and compete against Celta. Dro made the difference from a young age as he did different things. Villi started the plays, and with Dro they ended dangerously,” Roxo recalled.

According to Roxo, the Barça youngster has managed to retain his core identity as a player.

“I see him play at Barça and it’s true that they’ve added details to his game and that he’s grown a lot physically, but the essence of his football remains the same; he plays with the same confidence as when he was a child,” he said.

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Roxo also coached brothers Thiago and Rafinha Alcantara during their early years and offers glowing praise of Dro’s talent.

“Dro is a talent of Thiago’s level. I have not seen anyone as technical as Thiago, but Dro’s vision of the game is even superior.”

Another long-time coach from Val Minor, Luis Perez, trained Dro through the under-10s and under-12s and echoes the admiration.

Dro is making waves in pre-season. (Photo courtesy: X/FCBMasia)

“Dro was always very special. He has a gift for touching the ball and has always been very creative. He decided on football because when he was very young, everyone wanted to see him play.”

Both Luis and Roxo went on to highlight Dro’s work ethic and humility, adding, “Dro was never selfish and followed the instructions we gave him even though with him it was almost unnecessary to say anything.”

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“Although outside of football, he is very cheerful, in training and matches, he is very responsible and perhaps too self-demanding. We insisted that it was normal to fail, but he was never satisfied with his errors.”

They went on to even compare Dro to Andres Iniesta, while acknowledging the comparisons with Pedri.

“He is very technical, and although his right foot is good, he also dominates with his left. Dro has a good header, and the best thing is his vision of the play and his start-to-finish offensive actions,” Perez said.

“Although there are those who compare him to Pedri, I see more of Andres Iniesta in him.”

When asked about Valeron, they said, “Valeron was very good but perhaps a bit slow, and Dro is more agile, although his vision of the game could be similar.

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“Dro is capable of everything, and if Flick puts him as a winger, he could also do well. He won’t be Raphinha, but he could be similar to Iniesta who played on the left.”

Finally, the coaches had a message for Dro. “If he takes the pressure off and plays freely, he’s capable of anything; his talent is endless,” they concluded.

INDIANAPOLIS – In a powerful move to bolster childhood literacy, the WNBA All-Star Host Committee launched the All-Star Reads initiative this summer, distributing books featuring notable female athletes to 100 libraries and nonprofit organizations across Indiana.

Among those benefiting from this program is “Why Aren’t You Smiling,” also known as W.A.Y.S., an organization dedicated to empowering children facing mental health challenges.

“Not too many people get excited about reading,” said Mavis Washington, Executive Director and Co-Founder of W.A.Y.S.

With a passion for basketball and education, Washington expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership with the WNBA.

“We are true to this. We’re not new to this, because literacy is something that we push here at Why Aren’t You Smiling, because it opens up so many doors for kids when they can read,” Washington said.

The organization has received ten specially selected books from the WNBA, each highlighting the stories of women excelling in various sports, including gymnastics, track, basketball, and tennis.

“We needed a lot more books, and it was really nice of them to send them over,” said student Alyssa Cleven.

At W.A.Y.S., Washington combined the joys of basketball with reading, turning literacy into an engaging activity. The kids read a page, shoot a basket and add up the points. At the end, they win prizes from the WNBA.

“Cups, bookmarks, flags, so we’re all excited,” Washington continued. “We’re trying to win those prizes by gaining points, but they have to read or do some type of literacy activity, and then they could go shoot.”

“I’m reading to get the knowledge for school so I can be like smart,” Leilani Ramos said,

As the initiative continues to thrive, Leilani has a message for the WNBA All-Star Host Committee:

“Thank you for sending this to us, guys. We love you!!”

The All-Star Reads initiative not only promotes literacy but also empowers young minds to believe in their potential, proving that reading can indeed open doors to a brighter future.

HARROD, Ohio (WLIO) – The Lima community hit the greens Saturday for a good cause during the second annual Lima Masters Golf Outing.

The charity event raises money to support underfunded youth sports programs across the region. Last year alone, the outing brought in more than $25,000, with all proceeds going directly back into the community.

Many of this year’s participants were former student-athletes themselves, making the outing a chance to reconnect with teammates, see familiar faces, and enjoy a day of friendly competition while giving back to the next generation of players.

“Everyone here either knew each other through sports or were friends with each other in school, playing sports. And there’s people that you may not have seen for 20-30 years, but you know the names. Then you see them in person, and it brings everyone together, and then you feel that camaraderie, where you want to help the youth sports coming up, so they can have the same experiences that we had. So being able to branch out this year and help even more organizations than we did last year is really, really cool,” said Doug Wade, PGA Professional.

“The theme for the entire group is friendship. I coached for many years, and I played for many years, and I agree that the greatest gift that an athlete will receive from their experience is friendship. You can go and ask athletes and coaches, and people who have been involved the game for a long time, what do they remember most? What did they learn? What gift did they get from athletics? All of them will tell you friendship. And so you’ve got a group of friends here that are actually raising money for a good cause,” said Bob Seggerson, honorary starter for the event.

If you’re interested in learning more about the 4 The Friendship nonprofit organization, you can visit their website.

Copyright 2025 by Lima Communications Corporation. All rights reserved.

By Ella Tsotsos, The Hockey News intern

Born and raised in Toronto, Ont., the Washington Capitals selected Tom Wilson 16th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. Wilson offered wise words to North Toronto players after a skate in Toronto.

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Upon returning home for training, Wilson recounted his hockey career as a child and his inspiration, which fueled his ambition to become a spectacular player in the NHL.

After his 2024-25 season, Wilson played 81games, scored 33 goals and had 65 points.

Wilson, an alternate captain for the Washington Capitals, was born and raised in Toronto and played minor hockey with North Toronto (NTHA). Wilson carries much pride in this hockey association and keeps his strong Toronto roots close to him. From an early age, he shared how many memories he created at the North Toronto Memorial Arena, and that love for hockey has never left him. There’s even a huge banner of him hanging proudly at the North Toronto Memorial Arena – a reminder that no matter how far he’s come, he’s never forgotten where it all started.

In 2018, after winning the Stanley Cup, Wilson did not return to his hometown hockey arena empty-handed. Wilson brought the cup to where it all began for him. Wilson played many seasons for the North Toronto club until he went on to play at the highest level. Wilson shared what growing up in Toronto meant for him and his hockey career.

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“This is the arena where I fell in love with the game of hockey. This is where I spent every day hoping I’d make it to the NHL. Walking through the doors you get all the memories of being a kid here,” said Wilson via the North Toronto Hockey website.

For Wilson, the dream of becoming a hockey player stuck with him. His parents helped ensure that he created a balance with his sport, instilling educational values and also having fun. During an interview in July, just after a training session, Wilson shared advice to North Toronto hockey players.

“I think for me, I was having a balance of not only having hockey hockey hockey, but my parents always made sure I had good grades and being with friends who really enjoy it,” Wilson said.

Growing up, Wilson discovered that the key to becoming a successful hockey player was to establish a balance and become a well-rounded player. In Wilson’s OHL days playing for the Plymouth Whalers, he was awarded the OHL West Division’s academic player of the month in October 2011.

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“If you’re all in and you’re doing too much sometimes you get burnt out, so as a kid, just make sure you’re always having fun and playing other sports and spending time outside. If you are good enough and you got the work ethic, the rest of it will come and just enjoy it.”

When connecting to his Toronto roots, Wilson shared who his hockey idols were growing up.

“When I was little in Toronto, I liked Darcy Tucker. He was a guy that played hard and a Toronto Maple Leaf. Mats Sundin, who trained with the same trainer as me, was always a beast, so those were kinda my era. When I was a kid, I just always loved going to the rink every time.”

When it comes to comparison, both Wilson and Tucker have been known for their physicality, scoring skills, and both being players who played with an energetic style that antagonized opponents. Although Sundin is known for his goal-scoring capabilities and Wilson has not produced as many points, both players have demonstrated their leadership qualities as they both served as alternate captains – Sundin also served as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs – and Wilson continues to be a force on the ice.

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Wilson is more than just a powerful presence on the ice who still carries the heart of North Toronto with him every time he laces up. His journey is proof that passion, resilience, and community can shape a great athlete. Wilson truly loves the game and hasn’t lost sight of what got him to where he is.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Free concerts in the bandshell, two-night comedy fest at the Bowmer

By Jim Flint for Ashland.news

Ashland is about to get even more lively — and a whole lot funnier.

Two creative forces, Storytown Ashland and Epic Ashland, are teaming up to make the most of the city’s prime performance spaces, while spotlighting Ashland as a year-round destination for storytelling in all its forms.

Upcoming events include free summer concerts at Butler Bandshell in Lithia Park and the debut of the Ashland Sarcasm Festival in early December, featuring two nights of comedy at Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Angus Bowmer Theatre and a weekend packed with funny business at venues across town.

Packed for music

The Summer Sound Concert Series at the bandshell is drawing even bigger crowds than its first season last year. The opening night, June 16, featured Broken Compass Bluegrass and headliner Cas Haley.

“The vibe was electric,” said Karolina Lavagnino, an Epic Ashland board member and volunteer. “Families with picnic baskets filled the grassy hillside, kids created spontaneous chalk art masterpieces, and seniors arrived by the busload.”

Storytown was on hand with a bike valet service, which it also will provide at subsequent concerts in the series.

Up next at the bandshell: Hillstomp with Jessica Molone on Monday, July 21; The Wreckless Strangers with Eddie Roberts and The Lucky Strokes on Monday, Aug. 18, and Les Greene & The Swazeys along with the Grammy-nominated Indian funk band The Rumble, fronted by Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr., on Monday, Sept. 15.

All concerts are free and start at 6 p.m. Adding to the festivities will be a rotation of food trucks; wine booths hosted by Resistance Wine Company, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, and Weisinger family Winery; and a hands-on kids’ craft area hosted by Ashland Clayhouse.

Gratitude and surprise

Matthew Bernard, Epic board chair, expressed gratitude for support from the city of Ashland and the parks department.

“I had no idea what to expect,” he said. “I just crossed my fingers and hoped our efforts would bring people together. The first concert ended up being packed and the feedback was great.”

Financial support for the 2024 series was minimal. The founders of Epic donated funds and put in the elbow grease to make the summer concerts happen. Some corporate funding, private donations, and collaborators from Storytown filled in the gaps.

This summer, building on a successful track record, Epic was able to expand the number of concerts, garner additional community support, sign on more local sponsors, and add a beer garden.

Comedy takes the stage

The Ashland Sarcasm Festival will take place in early December, featuring two nights of comedy at OSF’s Bowmer Theatre on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, along with a variety of comedic performances at multiple venues concentrated in and around the Ashland Plaza — and a few spots along Main Street.

There will be an admission charge for the Bowmer performances, with tickets likely sold through OSF’s ticketing system. If demand is high — and if performers’ schedules allow — a matinee may be added.

Epic Ashland is organizing the Bowmer Theatre performances, while Storytown Ashland is working to expand the festival into a three-day event at additional venues. So far, Skout, Brickroom, Oberon’s, and Local 31 Pub have expressed interest in participating.

“We anticipate adding more venues in the coming months,” Bernard said. “And we’re narrowing down the lineup for the Bowmer as we speak. We hope to confirm the headliners in the next few weeks.”

With its season wrapping up in October, OSF was able to make the Bowmer Theatre available for the new event. It’s not the first time the organization has opened its stages to community partners during the off-season.

In 2023, Oregon Cabaret Theatre presented a holiday run of “White Christmas” at the Thomas Theatre, while the Rogue Valley Symphony launched its annual holiday concerts at the Bowmer that same year.

Where stories live

Matt Hoffman is the creator and director of Storytown Ashland, an initiative with a mission to transform the city into a year-round destination for storytelling across genres, offering a calendar of events that blends arts, culture, outdoor experiences, and community engagement.

“Our events — like those at OSF — are designed to attract locals and visitors from across the region and beyond,” Hoffman said. “We want to turn Ashland into a citywide venue capable of pulling off a multi-day festival of entertaining programming that signals more to come.”

Lavagnino is pleased to see other organizations taking a leaf out of the Epic/Storytown playbook.

“One of the most exciting outcomes of Epic’s pilot series is how it has inspired others to launch similar events,” she said. “The Ashland Folk Collective created its own concert series based on the Epic template, and the city of Phoenix launched its own summer music series this year in Blue Heron Park.”

For more information and to learn how to offer your support, visit storytownashland.com or epicashland.com.

Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].

WALDORF, Md. — Some of the world’s best youth flag football players are competing for a championship this weekend, including a team from Waldorf.

“What makes it so special is you take a homegrown kid, somebody who didn’t see this going past their county, and now they get to go out and represent for their local football team as a flag football player,” Jordan Reynolds said.

Reynolds, general manager of Southern Maryland Youth Flag Football League, says it’s been rewarding to see youth flag football grow over the years, but what’s really taken him by surprise is how many young girls are embracing the sport. Over 800 kids participate in his league, with roughly 200 of them being young girls.

“We saw girls in our area. They were just standing around on the sideline, you know, they were throwing the football, and they were like, ‘well, we don’t want to play with the boys.’ So, you know, Reggie had a great idea. He said, ‘you know what, I’m gonna take that leap of faith. I’m gonna step out. And I’m going to make an all-girls division,'” Reynolds said.

“For me, I’m more of the visionary,” Reggie Barksdale said.

It is that type of forward thinking that has helped Commissioner Barksdale’s league become what it is today.

“My organization, SMYFFL was chosen and selected as NFL Flag League of the Year, out of 2,800 leagues, 48 states and Canada. We’re the number one league for large market, as they call it,” Barksdale said.

This weekend, a few of his players will be participating in the NFL flag championships, hoping to bring a championship home for their county.

“They put on a very fun event and just to play a game at Canton, Ohio, they opened the doors for everybody there, man. The kids get to visit the NFL Hall of Fame. You get to play the game on hollow grounds up there. You meet kids that are YouTube sensations. I think what makes it more exciting, man, you could turn on ESPN and ESPN 2 and you can see your friends that you get on the bus with playing a flag football game,” Barksdale said.

Sunday’s semi-final and championships will be aired on WMAR.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.