Hey kids: Get ready for 'kick in the grass'
by Kevin Cassidy
Islander Correspondent
The old Rowdys, Tampa Bay’s first professional soccer team, had a great slogan and team song to get the fans psyched up, roaring, cheering for the team and most any longtime fans remember, “Soccer is a kick in the grass.”
It’s time now again for the kids to enjoy the most popular sport on Anna Maria Island - soccer.
Registration is under way for the Anna Maria Island Community Center fall recreational youth soccer league. Boys and girls must be at least 4 years of age and no older than 16 by Aug. 24, to participate on age-division teams that allow for games between players of various stages of soccer skills and growth.
Games for players ages 4-11 will be played at the all-new Center in Anna Maria, while games for players 12-16 will take place in Holmes Beach at the city’s sports facility - Birdie Tebbetts Field - including the multi-purpose field for soccer and the baseball park.
Players who are age 4 must attend the preseason soccer camp and successfully pass an evaluation by the athletic director in order to play in the Center league.
Cost for playing soccer at the center for members is $70 with each additional sibling $65. Non-member fees are $80 for first child and $75 for each additional child. Each player receives a team jersey and matching socks. Players are responsible for his/her own black shorts and shin guards. Shin guards are required to play and are offered for $5 at the Center.
Due to uniform order deadlines, the final date for registration will be Aug. 24. Players will also be able to register on Aug. 16 at the Anna Maria Elementary School open house.
Players can sign up at any time between now and the Aug. 24 at the Center trailer behind St. Bernard Catholic Church, or following the move to the new Center, at one of two registration nights, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Tuesday, Aug. 21, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23.
Everyone who signs up will be placed on a team, but for parity of the league, mandatory try-outs for specific age groups will be held at the following times.
- Ages 4-7 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27.
- Ages 8-9 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28.
- Ages 10-11 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29.
- Ages 12-13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 (Holmes Beach).
- Ages 14-16: from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 (Holmes Beach).
Soccer camp 2007
The Center will once again host a soccer camp for new and returning players to “kick off” the season. Players will be put through the paces to refresh already learned drills and perhaps to learn some new skills. The camp runs 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 22-24. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers.
For more information on fall soccer and the soccer camp, contact Center athletic director Andy Jonatzke at 778-1908.
Key Royale golf news
The men of Key Royale Club teed it up for an 18-hole, partner’s-low-net tourney on July 18 that produced a two-way tie for first place. Bob Kral and Vince Mercadante matched the 131 score of Bob Elliott and Lew Winegarden to share clubhouse bragging rights for the day.
The men played a nine-hole, individual-low-net tourney on July 16 that was won by Bob Jorgensen. Jorgensen fired a 3-under-par 29 to finish one shot ahead of four players. Bob Kelly, Paul Keyes, John Heiselman and Richard Westby each were at 2-under-par 30 and tied for second.
The men and women teamed up on July 15 for a coed, two-best-balls-of-foursome game. First place went to the team of Jane Winegarden, Sally Keyes, Fred Meyers and Paul Proxy with a score of 56. Second place went to the team of Joyce and Jerry Brown, who matched up with Bob and Brenda Proxy to finish three shots back at 59. |
