Welcome to Our Web Site
Updated 06/25/09 11:00 PM
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE LEFT FOR THE FALL SEASON. MAIL IN ONLY NOW.
Fall Season 2009:
Registration for the fall recreational season begins the first of
July. Games begin the first of September. Registration forms are
available now and are posted to the left. Print and mail in with check
and copy of birth certificate. Your early registration helps us get
all put together in time for the first games. There will be some on site registration dates. Register early and save.
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.Competitive Team Tryouts: See flyer to the left. Tryout dates were Thursday, June 4th 6PM to 8PM and Saturday June 6th 9AM to 11AM. Team ages are U10 Boys coached by Chris Kirkner and Misael Ortega. U12 Girls coached by Francisco Rodrigues, Chris Daly, and Jaime Lopez. U14Boys coached by Eric Maldonado. U18/19 Boys coached by Kyle Kirkner. If any questions about open slots on the competitive teams contact Competitive director Francisco Rodrigues at 863-528-4707 or frodrigues16@hotmail.com.
Challenger Soccer Camp in June: Our club will once again host a British soccer camp from 6/22/09 to 6/26/09 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. 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.
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.
Spring Soccer 3 vs 3 ran from 3/14/09 to 5/16/09: Next year 2010 the dates will be about the same. To the left are the Spring 2009 3 vs 3 registration forms. Although official on site registration dates have passed we are still currently taking registration forms. Print Registration forms listed to the left and call either 863-676-3304 or 863-678-3513. Probably you will have to mail in or make alternate arrangements with the league. Once the season starts there may be some open slots on teams but there is no guarantee of that. Please pass this on to your friends. The season begins in Lake Wales on 3/14 and ends 5/16. As was done last year games will be either in Lake Wales or Bartow alternating from week to week. Rules for the season are reflected also. See the 3 vs 3 rules to the left.
Spring Sponsorhips needed: Please consider helping to sponsor the Spring 3 vs 3 season. The cost is $250 and your name will be on all Spring Shirts. Contact Robbie Shields 676-3304 if you are interested. Currently Lilly O'Toole and Brown, Tropical Travels, Centerstate Bank, Dr Hasan Mousli Neurologist, and Polk Community College are committed as sponsors. Please support our sponsors.
Referee Class: Go to www.fsr-inc.com to find if any referee classes are offered locally. Our club most likely will not have a new class until the fall. Recertification for the current referees was held on 2/8/09.. To attend any class you must register at www.fsr-inc.com
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 is currently referred to as both Ridge Soccer Association and Lake Wales Soccer Club in the interim. Checks are still currently to be made out to Ridge Soccer.
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.
Judges Cup Soccer Tournament 12/13 & 12/14/08: Judges Cup end of the season Recreational Soccer tournament for ages U10 to U14 was held the weekend of Dec 13 and 14th, 2008. Games were in various parks across the county. Schedules this year were prepared by Polk County Sports marketing on their website at http://www.centralfloridasports.com
Judges Cup Patch: This years patch which was to be warn on the chest on the opposite side of the league name and dedicated in memory of Corey Hawk. Corey who loved soccer and played in Lake Wales died due to an accident caused by a soccer goal falling on him. The saying on the patch "Soccer: Live it, Breathe it, and never be afraid of the ball" is on Corey's tombstone. Always remember goal safety.
New Recreational All-Stars Tournament: A recreational all star tournament for Polk County was held on the weekend of 1/23-09 to 1/25/09. Lake Wales Soccer Club had 2 teams in the U14 age bracket with the Frostproof contingent winning over the Lake Wales group in the finals. Lake Wales U12 Team also took first place in their age bracket. Other teams represented included U14 Girls, U12 Girls, and U10Boys. Most of the teams advanced to the semifinals on Sunday. We thank Butch Nichols for his organizing this event.
Picture Magnet/Button Fundraiser: Bishop Photo took pictures of your team and child. In a couple of weeks after pictures the league receives buttons and magnets that we use as our fundraiser from parents. We hope each of you participates in this small way which helps our league purchase the many needs we have. 100% goes back into the league needs such as all the equipment in the concession stand, player benches, soccer balls, goals, and if you look around you can still see some of the things still needed. Trees, park benches and tables, plants for beautification are just a few of the needs. Many businesses and others are helping us in many ways and we hope those participating in the league will also invest. It is a great stocking stuffer for grandparents or a way for a parent to proudly display their child by wearing their button.
Sponsors: Please thank and use this years team sponsors whenever you can. Thanks to Bunting Tripp & Ingley CPA's, Lake Wales Medical Center, Law Offices of Weaver, McClendon & Penrod, CEMEX, Kiwanis, Hunt Bro's, Inc., Prudential/Todd Pooley, Rotary, Ellis Orthodontics, Centerstate Bank, Lilly, O'Toole & Brown, LLP, McKenna Brothers, Peterson & Myers, PA, Buddy Poppell Insurance, Brighthouse, Hunt & Smith Law Firm, PA, Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary, Tropical Travels, Scenic Self Storage, Best Western Admirals Inn, Lost Classic Books, Tirebarn, Premier Field Services 2 teams, Coldwell Banker/Ridge Properties, Lake Wales Family Restaurant.
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.
Uniroyal/Tire Barn Free Soccer Ball Program ( Will offer in the Fall 2009):
During the Grand Opening free soccer balls were offered to league participants by Tire Barn and Uniroyal tires. Please use your coupon on new tires and funds come back to the league. Ask for the coupon if you did not receive one. Go to www.uniroyal.com/sweeps and enter their sweepstakes. Tirebarn and Uniroyal Tire will once again offer the Soccer Ball Program in the Fall 2009.
New Field Use at New Park: Until the fields are established we are limiting the use of the fields. If you see anyone unauthorized using the fields immediately call either Robbie Shields 676-3304 or Tony Mathewson 678-3513. When practicing please avoid continually playing in the same area. If you see the fields need rest then please practice in another area. Always anchor the goals with sand bags located in the park. We have had our league coaches volunteering on weekends to lay sod. If the fields are not in the best condition then please help us improve them.
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. The cost is approximately $300 or more but the player receives 2 uniforms, soccer bag and is able to participate in tournaments. 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.
Spring Season: Spring registration for 3 vs 3 season had about 250 kids signed. The season was done in joint cooperation with the Bartow Soccer league. The rules for the 3 vs 3 season are to the left. Think about playing for next year. If information is needed give Robbie a call or send a message to questions@ridgesoccer.com to give him a corrected email. Remember we have the spring season as a no practice season although some teams may choose to get together a couple of times. We always need some parents to volunteer as team leader for calling, substituting and organizing. Registration forms for 2009 season beginning the first of March will be available the first of January..
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.
Referee Class: There will be a recertification class for referees on Sunday 2/8/09 at Hillcrest Elementary on Hwy 60. The class time is from 1PM to 6PM. For available future new referee classes in the state or to register for recertification go to http://www.fsr-inc.com
This is a great way to learn the rules of the game while becoming certified. Your child can earn some money while helping us provide referees.
Concession Stand. The concession stand is an avenue for the league to fund raise and be able to keep our league upgraded with operational equipment, balls, concession equipment etc. Please support the concession. Every team will be assigned a date to run the concession.
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.
