Welcome to Our Web Site LAKE WALES SOCCER CLUB
Updated 7/25/10 11:55PM
Fall Season for Recreation players sign up now: Sign up by mail using the registration form to the left. See the Fall Flyer concerning start up times. Ages 4 to 18 both for girls and boys. Games start 9/25 for all ages except the U18 teams which begin 9/11. Please sign up early by mail if you can to help in getting all done. First on site sign-up day is Saturday July 31,2010. Standard fee is $65 per player and you get a Jersey, Shorts and Socks. If your business is interested in sponsoring your team the amount is $275 and the name of the business goes on the jersey.
Coaching Course for F License Saturday August 7: In hopes to get our coaches certified and become better coaches we have arranged for a course for coaches through FYSA which allows them to get an F License. It will be hosted by our club on Saturday August 7, 2010 from 9AM to 5PM. The club is picking up the majority of the $50 fee for the course but those interested can register for only $10. Contact either Francisco Rodrigues at frodrigues16@hotmail.com or Robbie Shields at robbie.shields@citrusworld.com Phone 863-676-3304 We are encouraging every competitive coach to attend and hope to have our recreational coaches also.
FYSA Annual General Meeting at Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando: The Annual Meeting of FYSA was held in Orlando the weekend of 7/23/10 - 7/25/10. Some significant happenings: FYSA will be donating $100,000 to the efforts of bringing the World Cup to the USA in 2014 or 2018. Moreno Torrens was elected President of FYSA. An amendment to the by-laws to be able to help add new recreational clubs within a 15 mile radius of an existing club was tabled until next year.
Community Soccer day 6/12/10: Clinics, world cup games, Brazillian steak barbeque all were a big success at our soccer park. Thanks for everyone who contributed.
Competitive Tryouts: Tryouts for the competitive teams(girls and boys) for the fall season began the first of June. We have created 11 teams for competitive this year. Recreational players who are looking for stronger competition with more experienced coaches should consider the competitive league.
There are just a few spots open on teams.
If any questions about open slots on the competitive teams contact Competitive director Francisco Rodrigues at 863-528-4707 or frodrigues16@hotmail.com.
Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Rowdies inaugural season is jam-packed with exciting home games and we would love to see Lake Wales Soccer members at Steinbrenner field enjoying professional soccer.
They have two exciting events coming up during the month of June and July. On June 12th the Rowdies take on the Montreal Impact that will feature "Jersey T-Shirt Giveaway Night" and July 4th the Rowdies take on state rival Miami FC that includes a post-match 4th of July firework spectacular. Visit their website. http://fctampabay.com/
Spring 3 vs 3 Season: Each year the Spring 3 vs 3 season begins in March. Teams who have coaches can be put together and signed up as an entire team or you can sign up individually. This is a no practice season and games are on Saturday. The games alternate between Lake Wales and Bartow, One week in Lake Wales and then the next week in Bartow. Special rules are in place to keep games competitive. See 3 vs 3 rules to the left.
Spring Sponsorhips: Please consider helping to sponsor the Spring 3 vs 3 season. The cost is $250 and your name will be on all Spring Shirts. Thanks to the following sponsors for the Spring Season. Breakfast Rotary, B & B Carpet Maintenance, Center State Bank, Lilly O'Toole & Brown, Meyers Towing 676-7666, Murphy USA, McKenna Brothers, Retirement Solutions Tood Pooley, Dr Hassan Neurologist, Tropical Travels. Contact Robbie Shields 676-3304 if you are interested. Please support our sponsors.
Referee Class: Go to www.fsr-inc.com to find if any referee classes are offered locally. Our club hosted a ref class for grade 8 from October 8 to October 11, 2009. It was 18 hours. Five new referees from our league were certified. Recertification for the current referees was at Hillcrest Elementary on 10/5/09. This certifies them until December 31, 2010. To attend any class you must register at www.fsr-inc.com. Go check it our and register for a class someplace in Polk County. Becoming certified helps us to have officials to referee the games, and helps you to learn the rules.
No Emails to you?: If you have not been receiving the emails with details then either you provided no email, gave one we couldn't read or we typed what you gave us wrong. Please get corrected by sending an email to questions@ridgesoccer.com giving your child's name. Although we don't mind answering those questions needing answered many times we get calls about info either on the website or that was sent via an email. You can imagine getting this many phone calls at your own home.
Teams: Please make sure you have the coaches contact info because they should be the one you are asking questions of. The coach would then ask us if they do not know. Please help your team be successful by volunteering.
Sponsorship: We thank the following sponsors who have sponsored a team this year. We couldn't survive without our sponsors. Breakfast Rotary, Buddy Poppell Ins, Bunting Tripp & Ingley, Centerstate Bank, Citrosuco(2 teams), Ellis Orthodontics, Hunt Brothers, Hunt and Smith Law Firm, Kiwanis, Jahna Industries(sand donation), Lake Wales Family Restaurant, Lake Wales Medical Center, Lilly O'Toole & Brown (2 teams + sponsor trailer), Lost Classic Books, McKenna Brothers, Patton Tire, Peterson Myers, Retirement Solutions, Rotary, Tirebarn (soccer balls for players), Tropical Travel, Weaver McLendon & Penrod
Sponsorships Team sponsorships are always needed. See the flyer to the left. Sponsorship amount is $275. We are a 501c3 tax deductible entity. The names of your company/organization goes on the team shirts. Please consider and ask your employer to sponsor your team.
Challenger Soccer Camp in June: Our club once again will host a British soccer camp from 6/21/10 to 6/25/10 at the Lake Wales Soccer Park on Hunt Brothers Road. The coaches are specially trained to provide a camp the kids can enjoy while learning new soccer skills and strategies. Challenger British Soccer is the largest soccer camp in the US and Canada. Ages are from 8 to 16 for the 5:30PM to 8:30PM camp at a very reasonable cost of $110 and ages 4-6 for the 9AM -11AM for $95. Each year we have had many complements about the camp. Once the new year camp sign-up is available Go to www.challengersports.com to register. Contact League Host Robbie Shields if any questions.
Registration for those late: Always we start getting frantic calls wanting a child to play. We will do all possible to make sure that happens. Try to register early next time though. This year Fall 2009 we probably had to tell about 10 to 20 kids they could not play. We hate that but once we do the schedule coordinated with all the other leagues in Polk County we are unable to change and expand.
Spring Season is all for fun: Remember Spring is billed as a no practice season, although I am sure the first couple of weeks parents/coaches will have teams get together so they give some basics. Email us at questions@ridgesoccer.com and provide your childs name and your email address so we can make sure you stay updated. If you wish to still register a player on one of the few openings available on teams contact us now. Robbie Shields 676-3304 and leave message.
New club name Lake Wales Soccer Club:. At the dedication of the new park in September the club name was changed to Lake Wales Soccer Club. The club name now should be referred to as Lake Wales Soccer Club and checks made payable to the same.
Directions to the new Lake Wales Park: From the intersection of Hwy 27 and Hwy 60 intersection in Lake Wales go South on Hwy 27 approximately 1.8 miles. Take a left on Hunt Brothers Road which is just across from the Long Leaf Business Park. Take Hunt Brothers Road about one-fourth mile and the park is on the left.
Remember: This is a volunteer organization and those running it spend many hours of their free time to make it a success. Although the goal is to be perfect, we all know that is impossible. If something happens that you do not agree with, please handle in a professional manner. First talk to the individual yourself after you have cooled off. If you can't resolve then diplomatically contact a league official with the problem. Ultimately the individual situation will be addressed realizing the overall league goals. We do care. To coaches: Having fun, increasing skills of players, equitable playing time should come first and then winning.
Referees: Each week the referees most who are players in our league are assigned games. Referees should arrive to games no later than 30 minutes prior to a game. Under no situation should a coach, player or adult show disrespect to a referee even if they missed the call in your opinion. You can let Robbie know privately if you think the referee has some needs.
Remember to be respectful: The coaches, league officials and others are volunteers who spend their time making it possible for your child to be able to enjoy the great game of soccer. Please be considerate and respectful when talking with them. Please under no situation either at our park or when visiting another park act in a manner that brings disrespect to our league. The purpose of the league is not to necessarily win your game but to let the child enjoy playing soccer. Please put that first in your actions.
Grand Opening of the park: On 9/13/08 the park was dedicated by the Ridge Soccer Board, the City of Lake Wales, Polk County, State of Florida, FYSA, the Chamber of Commerce and others. Over 300 people including players, coaches, sponsors, city officials, county officials and the community came to celebrate the occasion. We thank each and every one of you who have made this park possible.
Birth certificates required for all:: This year we need BIRTH CERTIFICATES for all players (even returning players).. Those who registered either by mail or on site but did not include the birth certiicate please save us time by sending now. Send to3570 Silver Oak Ct Lake Wales, Fl 33898. There are quite a few who did not include. Expect a call as soon as the other needed
Competitive Teams: For those soccer children that desire a more competitive atmosphere, our league now has several competitive teams for both girls and boys. Click on the Competitive tryout link on the left for the current flyer. Tryouts have ended but if still interested in a team call Francisco Rodrigues listed below. There is more travel involved for the competitive teams but those players with advanced skills will develop even greater than in the recreational setting. Competitive teams will hold additional fund-raising efforts to be able to participate in other tournaments not covered by the registration fee.. Contact Francisco Rodrigues at frodrigues16@hotmail.com or call 863-528-4707 who is our league representative for competitive teams. See flyer to the left. Competitive coaches will be approved by the Board of Directors.
Protocol on who to contact: As you can imagine we get plenty of calls. First please check the website, if not there contact your coach or other team members and if not available there then feel free to contact us.
Game Schedules: Game schedules will be posted once the season begins. Click on the age your child is playing in and schedule can be viewed.. In order to open the file, you may need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader found at http://www.adobe.com
Uniforms: In the Fall Season each player receives a soccer jersey, shorts and socks from the league. Every player has to purchase shin guards which are required in order to play. Most decide to buy soccer cleats but cleats are not required. League ages U10 and above we would highly recommend them..
Other club websites for games: AYSC Auburndale www.auburndaleyouthsoccer.com RYSA Ridge Youth Soccer(4 corners) www.ridgeyouthsoccerclub.com PRYS Peace River Youth Soccer Bartow www.bartowsoccer1.com WHYSA Winter Haven Yuth Soccer www.whysa.com LSC Lakeland Soccer Club Lake Parker www.lakelandsoccerclub/org LHYS Lakeland Highlands Youth Soccer on Carter Road www.lhysasoccer.com NLYS North Lakeland Youth Soccer on Duff Road www.northlakelandyouthsoccer.com
You can use these links to find directions to the fields or other info about their league.
Background checks: Parents we do back ground checks on our coaches through FYSA.
Coaches needed. Probably the toughest part of our volunteer work is getting enough parents to volunteer as coaches. As a parent who has certainly been my child's coach, it is well worth it. Would I like to sit on the sidelines and just yell, my answer would be yes at times. Please consider stepping up and helping us with this task. Remember it is your and my job to get a coach for your child's teams.
Thanks: Thanks to all those who help in various aspects of the league. Coaches, team moms, referees, league administrators, liners of fields, concession coordinators. Please show appreciation for their efforts. If you are asked to help in some manner please be willing to do some part. Our league can not function without volunteers. Please feel free to volunteer.
Volunteers in various areas are always needed for the league. Concession, field preparation, coaching, assistant coaching, writing articles for newspapers are just a few. This year each team will be assigned a day to run the concession.
Soccer Multi-purpose fields. 4 full size fields have been built on Hunt Brothers Road and opened with play on 9/13/08. Concession needs, soccer goals, playground equipment, shade for playground, picnic tables and benches, trees, schrubs, etc are just a few of the contributions you can make to help. This can be the nicest facility in all of Lake Wales. If you are looking to contribute in some manner please contact Robbie Shields at 676-3304.
The Ridge Soccer Association was formed in 2004 to meet the needs of those interested in the Growth of Youth Soccer on the East side of Polk County. To see details about Ridge Soccer go to the About Ridge tab.
Board of Directors: Robbie Shields, Tony Mathewson, Jack Dykxhoorn, Terri Turnbull, Butch Nichols, Andy Hunt, Erik Maldonado and Francisco Rodrigues. See tab for additional information. The Board meets once every 3 months on the 2nd Wednesday in May, August, November, February or when special needs arise.
