[From the US98 Soccer Club website, found at:
www.us98soccer.com]
Well, we close the first chapter this Saturday, US98 Soccer Club Supporters!
How to express US98 Soccer Club's appreciation without sounding too corny? Well, those who know me well enough, know that would be an impossibility. But this is one of those things where maybe corny is a good thing. US98 Soccer Club's intentions for where soccer, specifically Youth Soccer, goes in this community have been true from the start and will continue to stay that way. I don't see how we can go wrong as long as we continue to strive to provide the best recreational soccer opportunities for Our Youth. And that is what we will do.
I personally feel like we have come so far so fast this season that it was a little unsettling. But, perhaps a little unsettling is what was needed. US98 Soccer Club is a fresh start for an athletic program that has been relegated to second class status for some time. And along with second class status, usually comes lower expectations. But I can already tell that this community's expectations, and the Youth's quality of play, have grown enormously, even in comparison to the recent Fall Season. Those are positive signs, and a big responsibility, a responsibility that US98 Soccer Club is ready to take on. We hope, and expect, Our Community's expectations will continue to grow. As Our Youth's desire, hunger, and passion to learn, practice, and play "The Beautiful Game" will not be so patient.
That said, US98 Soccer Club must thank all of the Players, Parents, Volunteers and Sponsors [Alys Beach, Cafe' Rendevous, For The Health Of It, Good Millwork, Panama City Pirates, The Red Bar, and T. Massey - Architect] for their participation and contribution this Spring Super Cup 2008 Season! A community-based program like ours depends on everyone contributing in whatever capacity they can. And my faith in Our South Walton Community has been very pleasantly affirmed these past two soccer seasons. And it is only because of us pulling together as a community, a Soccer Community, that we were able to provide this Spring Super Cup 2008 Season without
any financial assistance from Walton County (something we can all be proud of.)
As far as future soccer seasons, the Fall "Fitness" Champions League Season (emphasizing fitness and larger playing areas, as it coincides nicely with getting our youth fit for their upcoming school soccer seasons) should begin either near the end of September or first weekend of October. In the meantime, we are very seriously considering running a "Mid-Summer Night's Soccer Season" in the month of July. The idea being kicked around (pun intended) would be for a 4 week season starting after the 4th of July Weekend. It would be strictly a match format, with 8 matches played over a Tues/Thurs evening schedule. And we may have some exciting news soon about additional field space we can use on the Eastern side of South Walton. If we do end up offering the Summer Season, it should be a great opportunity for our local Youth to apply all of the soccer skills they have learned at any of the soccer academies or camps that are being offered here in the Florida Panhandle.
Now on to more immediate matters! This Saturday provides us an exciting finish to the inaugural Spring Super Cup 2008 Season, as we get to celebarate not only a season well played, but also the crowning of our inaugural Spring Super Cup Champions!! We hope everyone will join us at 10:15 A.M. this Saturday as we announce the Champions for the 6&7 Years Old, 8-10 Years Old, and 11-14 Years Old age groups. For those playing in the Championship Matches, please makes sure you check out your match time on our homepage, as we have scheduled them to allow for all matches to end in time for the ceremony. And for all matches after the ceremony, we should be starting by 10:30 A.M. (US98 Soccer Club will be providing some items to the Gaffers for their distribution to Players, Managers, and Trainers at such appropriate time as they may see fit.)
US98 Soccer Club absolutely, positively wants and needs your feedback and suggestions. So please do not hesitate to shoot us an email, discuss things on the US98 Soccer Club message boards (in fact, I highly promote this), or to use whatever communication suits you best. As said many times before, we are a community-based, non-profit organization that is here to serve Our Community. Please let us know your thoughts!
See You Out On The Pitch & Cheers!
D. Christian Franek, President
