Summer is here, what's there to do?
With temperatures in the low to mid 90s, there’s no doubt that summer weather is here, so what’s there to do? Island youths undoubtedly will be participating in a variety of water sports, such as skim boarding, surfing, wake boarding and fishing throughout the summer. Some will enter contests and perhaps have good showings in some of these activities. Others are probably making plans to attend summer camp in the sport or activity of their choice.
Some camps that we know of include the AMICC offerings, a weekly tennis camp for boys and girls ages 5-14. Tennis camp is weekly from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday, June 8 through Aug. 13. Each weekly session will focus on skill development, sportsmanship and game knowledge through drills, games and matches at the AMICC tennis courts. Cost is $99 per week.
Rich Bell and his Youth Sports Training group that brought the very popular beach soccer tournament to Coquina Beach are now offering a soccer camp for players ages 4-16 at the AMICC soccer fields. It will start June 29 and continue through July 10, focusing on age-appropriate skill development through games and a variety of competitions that Bell guarantees will bring out the best in each individual player.
Bell has a coaching staff in place, including myself, Manatee High School girls varsity soccer coach, and some of the team players. In addition, Bell has goal-keeping coach Lance Bieker to lend expertise.
The 4-6 age group will work out from 9-11 a.m., while the 7-16 age group will take the field from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost for the camp is $80 per week with registration taking place now until June 19.
Last, but not least, British Soccer Camps will be back Aug. 3-7 at the AMICC soccer fields. Registration is taking place now until Aug. 1. You can register online at www.challengersports.com before June 19 to receive a free jersey.
Cost for a two-hour mini camp, 9-11 a.m., for ages 4-5 is $99, while the half-day mini camp from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 6-9 is $104. The camp for players ages 8-16 takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and the cost is $104.
Help a sports-starved reporter out. E-mail me at kevin@islander.org with an update on your camp, or to let me know of upcoming events. With advance notice, I may be able attend and report on your event or activity.
Key Royale golf news
The Key Royale Club men played an 18-hole, better-ball-of-partners game June 10. The team of Bob Kral and Vince Mercadante torched the course with a 10-under-par 54 to take first place by four strokes over second-place finishers Pieter Thomassen and Carl Voyles.
The men played a nine-hole, two-best-balls-of-foursome match June 8, which produced a tie for first place by the team of Gordon McKinna, Jim Finn, Fred Meyer and Bob Dickinson, which carded a 54 to match the score of Matt Behan, Omer Trollard, Bob Mullin and Charlie Knopp.
Horseshoe news
Two teams emerged from pool play with 3-0 records and were left to do battle for June 13 bragging rights during horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Walker Tom Skoloda broke a 16-16 tie and won the match with a double ringer and 22-16 score to defeat the team of Sam Samuels and Herb Ditzel.
The June 10 games saw only one team advance from pool play. The team of Steve Doyle and Bob Hawkes were the day’s champions. Second place went to the team of John Johnson and Ron Pepka, who rolled past Sam Samuels and Dalton Aquilo 21-11.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome. |
