Portsmouth, Newtown girls play 7th annual ‘friendship game’

Tradition began in 2013 in wake of Sandy Hook shootings

Posted 9/16/19

PORTSMOUTH — For the seventh straight year, members of the Portsmouth and Newtown High schools girls’ soccer teams exchanged hugs and posed for photos Saturday on the PHS turf …

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Portsmouth, Newtown girls play 7th annual ‘friendship game’

Tradition began in 2013 in wake of Sandy Hook shootings

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — For the seventh straight year, members of the Portsmouth and Newtown High schools girls’ soccer teams exchanged hugs and posed for photos Saturday on the PHS turf field.

They also played a little soccer.

The annual “friendship game” began in 2013, after former head coach Jim Blaess reached out to the Newtown community in the wake of the tragic school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. The tradition now continues under the current head coach, Lauren Bulk.

The first game in 2013 was held at Roger Williams University, before the PHS turf field was installed, and Newtown has also played host to the Portsmouth team.

The girls from both teams have enjoyed barbecues together, gone out on boat rides and hung out at Sandy Point Beach. They’ve also connected on social media.

Portsmouth High School, PHS girls' soccer

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