[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Verdana] Soccer Enthusiasts Throughout the Southeast! Well, welcome to summer, eh. What is it, like 120 degrees outside?? Feels like it at about 1:00PM everyday any way. So now, with the heat turning up, most of soccer takes a little break, but US98 Soccer helps keep our Greater South Walton community Super-Cool with programs that continue to instruct Our Youth on the finer points of soccer skills and fitness, which will only enhance their enjoyment of the World's Most Beautiful (and Coolest) Game. Taking into account the dog days of summer ahead of us, we offer participants the opportunity to sharpen their soccer acumen either in the morning hours or the evening. First and foremost, a medical update. US98 Soccer Coach, Jason Thompson, is currently still at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. We have not yet been notified of any additional information since the update regarding his condition provided on June 18th. To stay in touch with and up-to-date on Jason, send him your well-wishes, and/or provide financial assistance, whether through a donation or purchase of a t-shirt, please visit the website set up for him: [URL="http://www.kickingitforjason.com/"][U][COLOR=#810081]http://www.kickingitforjason.com/[/COLOR][/U][/URL]. He has been deeply touched by the great response to this terrible, life-altering diagnosis, and he and his family appreciate everyone's support. US98 Soccer has been flooded with inquiries regarding a summer soccer camp. So on the heels of our extremely successful and innovative approach to summer soccer camp last year, US98 Soccer has again teamed up with local fitness guru, Paul Hunter of Grayton Beach Fitness, and local yoga yogi, Lauren Romano of Heartworks Kids, to present the pioneering and ground-breaking [B]Y.E.S. Camp![/B] Y.E.S. is the acronym for Yoga. Energy. Soccer., and an appropriate positive-reinforcement of what we will be providing. You will not find a more well-rounded, insightful, balanced, and educational soccer camp around! Please contact us if you are interested in a Registration Form, and reserve your spot as space may be limited. We should have this registration document accessible on the website soon. Speaking of educational soccer offerings, Greater South Walton's most committed and dedicated Soccer Youth are finding their stride in US98 Soccer's advanced soccer program, Soccer Academie INTER98. Coaches Melford "Junior" James (Starting Goalkeeper for the Panama City Pirates), Brian Maas, and myself have been running these U-10 and U-12 teams through drills, skills, and scrimmages that have already resulted in quite a few improvements in how these players see the field, understand the game, and apply themselves on the pitch. Their focus and attention to details will serve them well as we move further into the summer and Friendly Matches against local Florida Panhandle competition. We'll keep you updated on their schedule and happenings, and potential expansion of age and gender divisions beginning this coming Winter! Soccer Academie INTER98's U-10s were not the only local team in recent action. Coaches Mark Williams and Louis Anthony put together a young but tough group of soccer faithful, A.C. Pinnacle Port Pirates, for the inaugural "Soccer by the Surf" Competition. The 3rd Place PIRATES Team consisted of Luke Anthony, Maia Billman, Aidan Dillon, Cyrus Garringer, Russell Isacks, Mia McAdams, Corinne Russ, Kevin Stoddard, Kailan Thomas, Peyton Troy, and Kendall Williams. Tournament Runners-Up, INTER98, made it to the Championship Match against the OSSO Storm of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, but fell just short. A valiant effort was provided by Jack Barry, Henson Bartlett, Chase Chandeysson, A.J. Cloutier, Helene Masone, Peter Masone, Sam Rich, Hannah Salinas, and Sterling Smith. US98 Soccer thanks Sponsors and Partners; Pinnacle Port Properties, Barry Veterinary, The Panama City Pirates, The St. Joe Company, and Event Co-Producer, South Walton Montessori Academy, for helping make this inaugural event such a success. As one parent from the highly-travelled OSSO Storm stated, "This was the best tournament we have [U]ever[/U] been to!" Thank you, and we look forward to only making it better each successive year! Speaking of the Panama City Pirates, it's Father's Day this Sunday, and there really is no better way to celebrate than treating 'Dear Old Dad' to a professional sports match! And there really is no better local professional sports team to get behind and cheer to victory than THE PANAMA CITY PIRATES!!! So whether you get in touch with us to purchase a ticket ($3.00 goes back to US98 Soccer if you buy from us) or purchase one at the gate, get Thee to the PIRATES match this Sunday, June 21 (Father's Day) at 6:00PM at Gavlak Stadium, located at Arnold High School in Panama City Beach (located directly north of the new Lowe's Hardware Superstore)! Last, but not least, US98 Soccer has been invited, along with anyone else who is interested, to come down to Ed Walline Park (the beach across from Gulf Place) this Saturday, beginning around 4:00PM, to celebrate International Surfing Day with The Surfrider Foundation. We will set up some goals and enjoy some beach soccer to go along with the bonfire, other games, and surf-prizes. The World's Most Beautiful Game and International Surfing Day, a truly Global and Chill Celebration! We thank everyone for their support and contributions, Billy Johnson especially most recently, for his fantastic design work on our logos and website ([URL="http://www.us98soccer.com"]www.us98soccer.com[/URL]). Whether Sponsorships, Donations, Volunteerism, or Participation in any of our Programs (Rec Season, INTER98, "Soccer by the Surf", Y.E.S. Camp), each is part of our fundraising and an investment in providing a better experience for Our Youth that is already paying huge dividends! If you are interested in being a Sponsor of our Y.E.S. Camp, the upcoming Fall 2009 Champions League Season (Registration begins in August), or even next year's "Soccer by the Surf" Tournament, please do not hesitate to contact us!! Cheers & See You Out On The Sand! D. Christian Franek President US98 Soccer Club [URL="http://www.us98soccer.com/"][U][COLOR=#810081]www.us98soccer.com[/COLOR][/U][/URL] [/FONT][/COLOR]
