sports

On the ball

News from the Brevard Youth Soccer League, Florida Youth Soccer Association and elsewhere

Bravo, Brevard Youth Soccer League players and coaches. The state association has been doing a lot of talking about goal safety and you’ve been doing a lot of listening.

District B5 Commissioner Mark Chapman says the season has gone well so far, without a single report of incorrectly anchored posts or (thank you, Captain Obvious) accidents that have come as a result of incorrectly anchored posts. Still, sometimes you have to repeat the message to make sure it sticks.

“I wanted to remind everyone how important it is that our goals are anchored down correctly for matches and practices as they can pose a danger if they are not anchored correctly,” Chapman told club officials.

This is not minutia, friends, but a potentially serious problem, especially to those of us who remember the tragic accident of a few years ago, elsewhere in Florida, in which a goal toppled on a player, killing him. The last thing we need here in Brevard County is to lose any more young people.

The DC also reminds all who will read or listen that:

-- Sixteen million people, 12 million of them children, play association football in the United States;

-- We have 225,000 to 500,000 goals.

-- Thirty-five deaths and 53 injuries have been reported to have come as the result of improperly anchored goals;

-- Each goal weighs 150 to 500 pounds.

“Please make sure we are keeping up the good work with our goals. I know I have seen goals moved at practices to make different configurations on the fields and those goals are not always anchored, “Chapman said

“Once practice is over, everyone leaves and the goals remain unanchored. This poses a big problem for other children who may come onto your shared fields and start to play on them. Bottom line is to make sure we are anchoring our goals all the time.”

Do you have the skills? USF has the clinic: The University of South Florida will sponsor one-day clinics for players to determine if they have the skills will allow them to compete at higher levels Oct. 4 and Jan. 10 at USF. All of USF’s coaches will attend, as will coaches from other colleges and universities

“As you can imagine, it is extremely difficult to watch all players that write or call. As you already may know, it is not permissible for a Division 1 institution to hold tryouts. However, we are allowed to run a one-day clinic that will allow you to compete against other clinic participants that have the same desire as you to play at the Division 1 level, said USF men's soccer head coach George Kiefer.

“This is a great opportunity to compare your ability with those with the same goals. During this clinic there will also be a NCAA seminar (to help) educate you in the college process . . . . Parents and coaches are invited to attend as well.

The one-day clinic costs $85 per player. For more information, go to www.usfsoccercamps.com/HighSchool.html

Friar Shane: Shane Wixted, a BYSL product and Brevard County resident who recently has played in Clearwater, has made a verbal commitment to play at Providence College of the Big East Conference. Well done indeed, Shane

Prize booters: Lance Freeberg, a graduate of Viera High School; Glenn William Hunt, a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School; Shane McKibben, a graduate of Eau Gallie High School; and Casey Runte, a graduate of Melbourne Central Catholic High School, are recipients of the 2009 Challenge Sports College Scholarships, awarded by Florida Challenge Sports Events of Melbourne.

The scholarships were awarded to players who demonstrated sportsmanship and fair play in athletic competition, academics and other aspects of life.

Hunt is attending the University of Central Florida in Orlando and the others are enrolled at the University of Florida. Each received $400 toward tuition, books, or room and board for the current school year.

Belated congratulations . . . to John Duguid, director of coaching for Space Coast United, and Divine Mercy coach Kelli McCoy, both of whom took awards at last month’s annual general meeting of the Florida Youth Soccer Association in Orlando.

Duguid was named Male Competitive Coach of the Year and McCoy, Female Recreational Coach of the Year.

Well done, indeed.

Just a reminder: In no year has fund raising been more important than this one, and the BYSL benefits more from the Brevard Fall Challenge than any other act or event.

It will take place for the 14th year on the Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 10 and 11, mainly at Palm Bay Regional Park. Players from throughout the state are expected to participate.

The problem, according to organizers and DC Chapman, is that some Brevard teams have chosen to forsake the tournament that benefits them directly for ones in other areas.

Come on, fellow Brevardians. Help the league and yourselves and register for the tournament. Information is at http://www.challengesports.com/Fall/MainFall.htm