Soccer Amigos/Futbol Friends Summer Youth Soccer Program Kicks Off Sixth Year

Soccer Amigos/Futbol Friends Summer Youth Soccer Program Kicks Off Sixth Year

Fort Collins, CO – The summer 2012 Soccer Amigos/Futbol Friends soccer program will provide six weeknight practice/game sessions for youth of all ages and skill levels, and culminate with a Saturday mini-tournament event. Weeknight sessions featuring skills practice and games will be held on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Northside Aztlan Community Center. The wrap-up event will be held Saturday, July 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Greenbriar Park.

Boys and girls from kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to participate in the program. Kids who want to register can sign up between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 14 at Northside. The cost is $5 per participant (scholarships are available). Volunteers, including coaches and officials, are also welcome, and registration and a background check are required. A program flyer, along with the application/background check form for adult volunteers, can be requested by emailing bradleyrshannon@gmail.com.

This program is a result of work to help decrease the incidence of juvenile violence, gang activity, and child abuse and neglect, provide an opportunity to play soccer to those that might not otherwise have it, and educate participants about other local soccer options. The cost is being kept to a minimum in hopes that children from families of all income levels can participate and have healthy, positive activities to participate in during the summer.

Participants will be divided into groups for weekly training based on age and ability. They will practice and scrimmage on Thursdays from June 14 through July 26 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Northside Aztlan Community Center. Participants should bring or wear appropriate clothing – shorts and a t-shirt -- athletic footwear or soccer shoes, shin guards, water and bug spray. Weekly practice dates are June 14, 21, & 28 and July 12, 19, & 26.

The program culminates with a Fütbol Fiesta Tournament on Saturday, July 28 at Greenbriar Park from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A barbeque for participants and their families is planned.

For more information on participating as a player or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Brad Shannon at (970) 420-8793 or brad@shannonmarcom.com.

Key Links

Boy Scouts of America Longs Peak Council: www.longspeakbsa.org

Soccer & Scouting www.soccerandscouting.org

City of Fort Collins: www.fcgov.com

The Vineyard Church: www.vineyardfc.org

Fort Collins Soccer Club/Arsenal Colorado: www.soccerfortcollins.org

CORE Center: www.cahs.colostate.edu/CORE/

Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County: www.healthylarimer.org

PVHS Foundation: www.foundation.pvhs.org

Edge Sports Center LLC: www.edgesportscenter.com

Arena Sports LLC: www.arenasportsllc.com

Net Results Soccer: www.netresultssoccer.com

STAR Goalkeeper Academy: www.stargoalkeeper.com

Northside Aztlan Community Center: www.fcgov.com/recreation/north-aztlan.php

Food Bank for Larimer County www.foodbanklarimer.org

The program is a collaborative effort of the Boy Scouts of America Longs Peak Council, City of Fort Collins, and Vineyard Church of the Rockies, with varying levels of support from additional area organizations, including the Food Bank for Larimer County, the Fort Collins Soccer Club/Arsenal Colorado, CORE Center, Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County, Poudre Valley Health System Foundation, Net Results Soccer, Edge Sports Center and Arena Sports LLC, and others. Any other area organizations are welcome to contribute as they see fit.