Fall sports season falls by wayside
My bread-and-butter kids sports is missing.
The recent upheaval, or “restructuring,” depending on where your sentiments fall, of the sports programming at the Anna Maria Island Community Center brings into question which if any of center’s sports programs will continue.
Spirit Day, which was to be the official kick off to the fall youth soccer program was suddenly canceled with no notice or explanation from the center.
We learned this week it has been rescheuled on Halloween, Oct. 31.
The center claimed games would begin this week, but even the coaches and players had no schedules.
An email from Center executive director Kristen Lessig stated that all games are set to begin next week but, as of press time, no schedules had been shared with The Islander.
The Spirit Day sanfu coupled with a lack of schedules for three sports programs brings into question the viability of the leagues.
Lessig wrote that youth soccer was to start Sept. 28, adult basketball would be played Tuesday nights, and adult soccer “runs as usual on Thursdays.”
While rumors fly on the island’s coconut telegraph, what is certain is that Matt Ray and Ray Gardner were dismissed.
Interviews were conducted in late April or May and two new employees were hired. They apparently haven’t started work. Will Schenerlein was named recreation director. Drew Mitchell is youth program manager, according to Lessig
For the sake of the island youth, who learn and grow through the various team sports, I hope Lessig and her new team pull it together.
Meanwhile, we offer best wishes in all their endeavors to Matt and Ray. They did right by the kids at the center, and the kids loved them.
Horseshoe news
Two teams advanced to the knockout stage during Sept. 23 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits. The team of Tim Sofran and Tom Skoloda earned a trip to the winner’s circle with a 21-9 victory over Hank Huyghe and Norm Good.
Sept. 26 action also resulted in two teams advancing out of pool play. The team of Hank Huyghe and Neil Hennessey earned a come-from-behind triumph over Tim Sofran and Dom Livedoti.
Play gets underway 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.
Key Royale golf news
The women of the Key Royale Club played a nine-hole, individual-low-net golf match Sept. 22 with a twist. They had to do play with only three clubs. In challenges such as this, most golfers choose driver, wedge and putter.
We’re not sure what clubs Fran Barford and Jana Samuels chose, but whatever their choice, it worked. Both carded 1-under-par 31s to tie for first place. Terry Westby and Sally Martin finished in a tie for second with matching 34s, while Tootie Wagner and Christina Mason were another shot back in a tie for third.
Mason, Barford and Helen Pollock had chipins on holes nine, seven and six respectively to round out the golf highlights for the day.