Posts tagged Sports
Prep Sports: Spring has sprung in Rowan County
Mar 28th
Monday, March 28, 2011 12:00 AM | 
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Staff report
The state championship basketball plaques have been put away. The weather is warming up.
And so are spring sports in Rowan County.
Tonight at East Rowan, the Mustangs’ soccer team welcomes West Rowan in a Relay for Life game. West will wear pink; East will be in purple.
Salisbury tennis will travel to Lexington for its annual CCC battle of titans.
Tuesday is always a big baseball night. North Rowan finally comes home after a week of traveling the country in the long-distance YVC. East is at South and West Rowan is home to North Iredell.
East softball is its usual dominating self and will play host to South at 4:15.
On Wednesday, Salisbury’s soccer team is at home, while East and Carson hook up in tennis in China Grove.
On Thursday, if you want to travel to West Iredell, you can get your fill of track and see one of the state’s top shot put experts in Sam Sherman of East. The Mustangs are winning everything in sight and will host the county meet on April 12.
On Friday, there’s plenty of baseball in the area. East Rowan, Salisbury and West (which plays South) are all at home.
Catawba baseball is also at home against Lenior-Rhyne at 6. The two teams play a doubleheader on Saturday.
From www.salisburypost.com
Serena Williams 2K Sports Video: See the Banned Sexy Spot
Mar 22nd
Serena Williams’ 2K Sports Video Is Apparently Too Hot for TV
I can think of very few scenarios that would make me want to rush out to buy a tennis video game (I already own Wii Sports after all). This is not to say that I’m totally opposed to the idea of buying a tennis game, but it would definitely take a pretty effective commercial to convince. For example, something featuring Serena Williams doing many sexy things would probably do the trick.
Apparently, 2K Sports has no interest whatsoever in appealing to consumers like myself. I know this because such a commercial was shot for Top Spin 4, and the company rejected it outright.
The game itself was released last week. But unfortunately for 2K Sports, nothing stays hidden from the internet for long, and the rejected commercial ultimately found its way onto YouTube. In case you haven’t already figured it out, you can watch it above.
The video was originally posted by Rileah Vanderbilt, the actress who appears opposite Williams in the ad. She even went so far to boast about the ad on her Twitter account on Monday, seemingly oblivious to the fact that 2K Sports decided not to give the green light for distribution. According to Joystiq.com, Vanderbilt was none too thrilled about their decision, which I daresay is pretty obvious.
2K Sports eventually shared their thoughts on the leak in a statement:
“As part of the process for creating marketing campaigns to support our titles, we pursue a variety of creative avenues. This video is not part of the title’s final marketing campaign and its distribution was unauthorized.”
If you were to believe the good folks at SportsbyBrooks.com, this amounts to a rather damning translation: “2K Sports deliberately created an absurdly racy ad to drum up interest in the game but didn’t have the courage to officially endorse the commercial because of possible public backlash.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. 2K Sports clearly put their reputation ahead of a potentially considerable amount of revenue this commercial could have generated. Considering they have a reputation of making pretty lousy sports games to begin with, maybe it would have been better for them to take a chance.
In any case, that’s just one avid gamer’s opinion. If you want to share your own, by all means leave a comment.
From bleacherreport.com
Top Spin 4 from 2K Sports Released Today
Mar 18th
Top Spin 4 from 2K Sports Released Today
Posted by Kimberly Edwards on Mar 18, 2011 in Shopping | 0 comments
Can you take it with the greats of world tennis? You can try with the much awaited release of Top Spin 4 from 2K Sports today.
The last release of a game from the Top Spin series was in June of 2008, and now vicarious tennis players can enjoy the updated version.
It’s available for Wii, PS3 and XBox 360.
Top Spin 4 offers players a new perspective on the world of tennis, in which the player can really feel all the intensity, emotion and stress in a real-life tennis match.
Brand new controls, the thrilling stadium atmosphere, an enhanced television presentation, real players that are so life-like you’ll need to look a second time are what’s promised from this version.
Players execute their signature moves and there is a complex career mode for long-time players.
Top Spin 4 is so realistic, it’s like you’re really there.
It was released today, March 18th, so there should be plenty of stock out there.
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From newstabulous.com
Spring Sports Preview: Redlands Tennis
Mar 17th
By MATT MCLEOD Staff Writer
REDLANDS – Attention parents of Redlands High boys’ tennis players: don’t make any travel plans in May.
Barring a stunning collapse, the Terriers (6-1, 5-0 Citrus Belt League) should be booking their tickets to the CIF playoffs in the near future, thanks to a torrid start that culminated in a 16-2 thrashing of Fontana and 17-1 drubbing of A.B. Miller in their last two matches.
Redlands is good, alright, and don’t believe RHS players don’t have the confidence that comes with talent.
“If we’re talking in league, (Redlands East Valley) is probably still our biggest challenge,” Terrier junior Henry Bjerke said of his team’s closest competition. “But with everyone they lost, they’re not much competition.”
But that doesn’t mean a championship run would be old hat. For RHS, a club that hasn’t captured an outright CBL title since 2006, the crown would fit like Cinderella’s glass slipper – fairy-tale perfectly.
Just ask Brandon Homan.
The senior has already endured three seasons of coming up short of an outright league title.
Now, in his fourth year, Homan has a chance to help set right what once went wrong. He said his goal has always been “mainly to capture a league title.”
As he sees it, if his team stays on the trail it has already started blazing, the goal will be well within sight any time now.
“I think we have a pretty good team,” Homan said. “We’re still young but have a lot of guys with experience.”
One glance at the RHS roster reveals depth that no other CBL team can realistically match. The Terriers are loaded, with no fewer than 150 kids who compete in singles and doubles.
Terriers coach Sean Comadena, who is looking to guide RHS to its first CIF championship since 2004, knows he can dip into his bag of tricks at will. Among his assets are Bjerke, Homan and a bevy of talented players.
“It’s just a matter of who can step up and play when they get in there when we have a challenge,” Comadena said.
Given his club’s early success, it would be easy for Comadena to focus on the finish line far down the road.
But not him. He’s too busy enjoying the ride.
“It’s exciting to have the year finally here,” Comadena said. “I knew how good the boys could be.”
RHS now gets set to host REV in the second installment of the crosstown clash March 29 at 3 p.m.
From www.redlandsdailyfacts.com
Sports Briefs
Feb 28th
JUAN Martin del Potro won his first tennis title since his 2009 US Open triumph on Sunday, beating Janko Tipsarevic in the final of the Delray Beach International Championships. Argentina’s Del Potro defeated the sixth-seeded Serb 6-4 6-4 to pass another milestone in his comeback from injury. A former world No4, Del Potro had his 2010 campaign derailed by a right wrist injury that required surgery and limited him to three tournaments. – Sapa-AFP
Dodgers’ home run star dies at 84
FORMER Brooklyn Dodgers home run king Duke Snider died of natural causes on Sunday. He was 84. The Hall of Fame outfielder, who led Brooklyn to their lone World Series title, died at a San Diego hospital, his family announced. In the 1940s and 1950s, Snider was a charmed member of the Dodgers’ “Boys of Summer”. He won a World Series with Brooklyn in 1955 and again four years later in Los Angeles after the Dodgers moved out west. – Sapa-AFP
Wallaby Waugh mending quickly
WALLABY loose forward Phil Waugh is poised to make a quick recovery from a bicep injury that threatened to wreck his rugby World Cup hopes. The Waratahs skipper damaged tendons last weekend but scan results yesterday showed that the flanker might not need surgery. Waugh had feared he would be out for three months, effectively ending his slim chances of making it onto Australia’s squad for the World Cup in New Zealand, beginning on September 9. – Reuters
From www.timeslive.co.za
SPORTS IN BRIEF 14/2
Feb 14th
Thien notches doubles victory in New Zealand ITF championship
Vietnamese teenager Nguyen Hoang Thien and his partner Jack Schipanski of Australia have won the men’s doubles event at the Tennis Central U18 ITF Summer Championship in New Zealand.
Thien and Schipanski defeated Mouslay Bradley-Li Tu of Australia 6-3, 6-0 in around 60 minutes on Friday.
Later in the tournament, Thien lost 3-6, 3-6 to his partner in the men’s singles semi-finals.
It is the third time in a year that Thien has triumphed in an U18 tournament. The two previous occasions were in Viet Nam.
His victory was a step towards breaking into the top 200 players in the world, a feat he plans to achieve this year.
Thien was the first Vietnamese player to be invited to play in the Australian Open.
Liem on track to defend Moscow championship crown
International Grand Master (IGM) Le Quang Liem is sitting at the top of the Russian Aeroflot Chess Festival after his first draw on Saturday in Moscow.
Liem won his first four games but could only manage to tie with host rival GM Evgeny Tomashevsky in his fifth round match.
The Vietnamese star is right on track to defending his title after defeating tournament favourite and former world champion Gata Kamsky of the US on Friday.
Liem, who is attempting to become the first Vietnamese super IGM this year, will next face GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan who is currently in fourth position.
The tournament will conclude on Saturday with a prize of US$20,000 going to the winner.
Woman striker hangs up her boots
Do Thi Ngoc Cham, the national women’s football team’s star striker, has announced her retirement from the sport at just 26 to pursue a coaching career.
Cham, who recently signed on as assistant coach of Ha Noi team, had helped the team win a gold medal at the National Games last December.
Winner of the Golden Ball in 2008, she was the main striker for the national and Ha Noi teams in recent years.
Ha Noi-born Cham began to play competitive football in 1999 when she joined the Soc Son District Sports Centre.
She began to play for Ha Noi in 2001 and a year later was named in the national team for the Asian Games.
Ngoc Tu to compete for Gia Lai
Soc Trang’s judoka Van Ngoc Tu is completing the necessary procedures to play for Gia Lai, after signing a VND10 million (US$500) a month contract.
Tu is nearly unrivalled at Southeast Asian (SEA) region following the 23rd SEA Games.
The four-time SEA champion officially ended her contract with Soc Trang provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism last December.
HCM City to spend $350,000 on youth
HCM City will spend VND7 billion (US$350,000) to train young players this year, mainly in training and competing abroad.
Young talents will also be given top priority, with 16-year-old tennis player Nguyen Hoang Thien, who is competing at the 2011 Tennis Central 18&U ITF Summer Championships in New Zealand, set to receive $30,000.
Thien was ranked 241st in the world according to the latest world ranking table by the International Tennis Federation.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
From english.vietnamnet.vn
Local sports briefs
Feb 11th
Highlands Today staff
Published: February 10, 2011
HIGHLANDS COUNTY – Sebring Eagles Memorial Golf Scramble
SEBRING The Sebring Eagles No. 4240 will be holding its second annual Memorial Golf tournament on Saturday March 12, 2011 at the Country Club of Sebring in Memory Of Igy Soler.
A shotgun start will take place at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $55 per player and includes one Mulligan along with refreshments during golf. Door prizes and lunch will be held at the Sebring Eagles 12921 US 98 S in Sebring.
This year’s event will benefit both The Human Society and Freedom Excursions. Freedom Excursions’ primary mission is to take wounded Warriors, with both physical and psychological wounds, out on excursions as part of their therapy. For more information about sponsoring a hole please contact Joe Waters863-214-8005 or Pam Soler at 863-471-1166 or the Sebring Eagles at 863-655-4007. For information on Freedom Excursions, visit www.freedomexcursions.org.
After School spring tennis program
SEBRING Registrations for the spring session of the After School tennis program are now being accepted. The nine-week class begins on March 8 and will continue through May 16 at the Thakkar Tennis Center at Sebring Country Club.
Class for Tiny Tots (4 to 6 years old) will be Tuesday between 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. and the cost is $75. Future Champs (ages 6 to 12) will meet Monday and Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. and the cost is 90. Open classes will be held between 4 and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The cost of one class per week is $90.
The Pre-Tournament Academy (12 to 18 year olds) meets on Wednesday and Thursday between 5 and 6:30 p.m. The cost is $120. For more information, contact Horace Watkis at 863-414-2164 or the Country Club at 863-386-4282.
Sebring Youth Football and Cheer camp
SEBRING Sebring Youth Football and Cheer will be holding a six-week spring conditioning camp beginning April 4. The cost is $25 per player and practices will be held two or three nights per week.
A two-week cheerleading camp will be held beginning May 2. The cost is $10.
The camps will culminate in an exhibition game to be played on Saturday, May 14.
Registrations will be accepted on Saturday, Feb. 19 and March 12 between 9 a.m. and noon at the Highlands County Sports Complex. The first 50 participants each day will receive a door prize and free raffle ticket for a bicycle. Free drinks and snacks will be available.
Can-Am golf tournament slated
SEBRING The Inaugural Can-Am Tournament at Golf Hammock C.C. will be held Saturday, March 5, starting with an 8:30 shotgun start. It is a two-person scramble, paired 2 Americans with 2 Canadians, flighted, with prizes for first, second and third places, along with other prizes and raffle and a 50-50 drawing.
The cost is $45, which includes cart, a burger buffet lunch and prizes. Call the Pro Shop at 863-382-2151 and have a registration form faxed to you or pick one up at your closest course. Registrations paid by Feb.28 will allow your team to a free practice round on Friday, March 4, space available. There will be a plaque honoring the winning team (country),along with full bragging rights.
Sebring Youth Baseball tryouts planned
SEBRING Sebring Youth Baseball is accepting registrations for the upcoming 1-12 and 13-14 season. The cost is $80 per player. You can register at Custom Prints, located in south Sebring behind Publix between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Fridays or online at www.sebringyouthbaseball.org.
Tryouts will be held Thursday, March 24.
Michigan Moose Association Snowbird Golf Tournament
AVON PARK The Michigan Moose Assoction is holding its 19th annual Snowbird Golf tournament on Sunday, March 13, at River Greens Golf Course in Avon Park. The tournament is a mixed scramble and you do have to be a Moose member to play. The registration deadline is March 8.
The cost is $55 per person and includes cart, dinner and prizes.
For more information, contact Don Novick at 941-794-0161 or Bruce Cook at 941-778-4776.
Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament
LAKE PLACID The 17th annual Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament will take place March 26 with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start at Placid Lakes Country Club. The cost is $75 per player and includes golf, continental breakfast, lunch, prizes and raffle tickets.
Teams will be flighted by handicap and receive 20 percent of total handicap. Each team must use at least two drives per player.
Entries should be made by March 16.
Hole sponsorships are available. Call 863-465-2588 for more information.
Highlands Seminole Club 5K
SEBRING The Highlands Seminole Club is hosting its first 5K event on Saturday, March 5, at the Sun ‘N Lake Preserve. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
The cost is $15 per person if registered by Feb. 15 and $20 up until the day of race.
Entry forms can be found at www.highlandsseminoleclub.org. Call 863-386-9194 or email mantarayEM@earthlink.net for more information.
Our Lady of Grace Golf Tournament
AVON PARK Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church is holding its first annual golf tournament at River Greens on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 8 a.m. The cost is $60 per player and includes golf, cart, golf shirt and lunch. Full members of River Greens pay only $35.
Hole sponsorships are available.
For more information call Jim Conroy at 863-452-5610.
Pickleball to take place
Pickleball will be played at Charlie Brown Park on Sunday, Feb. 13, between 1 and 3 p.m. The public is invited to come out and learn about the game and how to play.
James McFarling Golf Tournament
The 5th annual James McFarling Golf Tournament will take place Saturday, March 5, at Spring Lake Golf Resort. Proceeds from the tournament will be awarded to scholarship recipients from the Sertoma Junior Golf tour.
The cost is $50 per person, which includes goodie bags, flight pries and lunch at Michael’s Restaurant.
For more information contact John Delaney at 863-655-3686.
Heartland Soccer Club seeking players
SEBRING The Heartland Soccer Club is looking for players to play 3-on-3 soccer between March 5 and May 14. Games will alternate between Lake Wales Soccer Park and Mary Holland Park in Bartow. Practices are not mandatory, but are encouraged, and times and places will be determined by team coaches.
The cost is $50 for new players and includes FYSA registration fees or $40 for FYSA players from the fall.
Games are for players age 10 through 18 and a copy of birth certificate is required. The final day to register is Feb. 12.
For more information, contact Gelene Cochran at 863-414-3387 or heartlandsoccerclub@yahoo.com.
YMCA taking soccer registrations
SEBRING The Highlands County Family YMCA is taking soccer registrations for players ages 3 to 15 for the upcoming spring season. Call 863-382-9622 for more information.
SFCC Panther 5K Run/Walk
AVON PARK The second annual South Florida Community College Panther 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, Feb. 26 at the SFCC Highland Campus, Avon Park. The SFCC Foundation, Inc., and Bill Jarrett Ford Mercury are sponsoring the event, and proceeds benefit the college’s intercollegiate athletics programs.
The Panther 5K Run/Walk will take participants on a path through the beautiful SFCC Highlands Campus and along College Drive. The entry fee for the SFCC Panther 5K Run/Walk is $20 through Feb. 16 and $25 from Feb. 17 through the day of the race. Students with a current I.D. may register for $15. Every participant receives a Dri-Fit long-sleeve shirt. Sizes cannot be guaranteed for those who enter after Feb. 17.
Registration is 7 to 7:45 a.m. on race day in the SFCC Panther Gym. The race begins at 8 a.m. Entry forms are available online at www.southflorida.edu/panther5k. For more information about the SFCC Panther 5K or for directions to SFCC, call the SFCC Foundation at 863-453-3133.
Valentine’s mixed doubles tennis tournament
SEBRING A mixed doubles tennis tournament will take place Feb. 12 and 13 at the Thakkar Tennis Center. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and play is scheduled to begin at 8:30.
The cost is $30 per player for HCTA members and $35 for non-members. The cost is $20 for players under 19.
Division finals will be held on Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. with an awards dinner at Chicanes to take place at 5 p.m.
For more information, contact Bob or Janet at 863-386-0859, or Carey at 863-382-9062.
Team Sebring Cooperstown Classic golf tournament
SEBRING A four-man scramble golf tournament will be held at Sebring Municipal Golf Course on Feb. 26. Proceeds from the event will help the team with expenses to travel and play at the Field of Dreams in Cooperstown.
The cost is $60 per person and players will play nine holes in the daytime, followed by dinner at Caddyshack, with the final nine holes to be played at dusk.
For more information, contact Craig Cannady at 863-441-3333 or Andrew Bible at 863-381-4472.
Bob McKinney Golf Outing
SEBRING The seventh annual Sons of Am-Vets Bob McKinney Golf Outing will take place at Sebring Municipal Golf Course on March 12. A shotgun start will take place at 8:30 a.m.
The cost is $45 and includes golf, cart, prizes and food and drinks at Am-Vets.
For more information, contact John Kloet at 863-385-1493.
Am-Vets golf tournament
SEBRING The 7th annual Bob McKinney golf tournament will be held on Saturday, March 12 at Sebring Golf Club. The cost is $45 with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. For more information, contact John Kloet at 385-1493.
Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce Bass Tournament
LAKE PLACID The 13th annual Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce Bass Tournament will take place Sunday, March 27, at Lake Istokpoga, Windy Point Ramp in Lake Placid. The tournament is a two-person team format.
The cost is $100 per team and includes a $10 Big Bass fee.
Boats will take off in the order in which they are entered, so early entry is advised.
Fishing will take place from safe light to 2:30 p.m. and boats must be in the basin prior to designated return time or they will be disqualified.
For more information, contact the Chamber at 863-465-4331.
Highlands County YMCA beach volleyball tournament
SEBRING The Highlands County YMCA is hosting their second annual Beach Volleyball Tournament Saturday, Feb. 26 from 8:30 a.m. until last team standing. There will be four-on-four and two-on-two round robins. Gift certificates to local restaurants will be awarded for first and second places.
Contact 382-9622 for more information.
Junior Achievement Valentines 5K
SEBRING The Junior Achievement of Highlands County Valentines “Run Your Heart Out” Family Run/Walk Presented by MIDFLORIDA will take place Saturday, Feb. 12, at Highlands Hammock State Park. The cost of the event is $20 for adults and $5 for students.
Registration will begin at 7 a.m. and the event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
Proceeds from the event will fund continued Junior Achievement classes being taught in Highlands County schools.
For questions or more information, contact Greg Harris at the Sebring Chamber of Commerce at 863-385-8448 or Scott Crutchfield at Waypoints Financial at 863-402-5650.
Kegel Bowling Center looking for youth bowlers
SEBRING Kegel Bowling Center is looking for all levels of youth interested in bowling. Ages 5 to 20 welcome. Bowling is Saturdays at 9:45 a.m. Cost is $10 per week after a registration fee of $45 which includes sanction fee, shirt, first and last week of bowling. Contact Kegel Bowling Center at 382-2643 for more information.
Women’s Club Scholarship Fund tournament
SEBRING A benefit golf tournament for the Women’s Club Scholarship Fund will be held at Harder Hall on Feb. 19. Check-in for the tournament will begin at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start scheduled for 8 a.m.
The tournament is a four-person scramble and includes golf, cart, lunch and prizes.
Cost is $55 per player or $220 per team of four and entry forms are available at local pro shops.
A $2,000 hole-in-one prize is being sponsored by Cohan Radio Group and more sponsors are being sought.
For more information, contact Johnell West at 863-382-0824.
Avon Park Chamber golf tournament
AVON PARK The 14th annual Avon Park Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament will take place Feb. 12 at River Greens Golf Course. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and a shotgun start will take place at 8 a.m.
The tournament is a two-person scramble and entry fee is $60, which includes golf, lunch, range ball, refreshments and prizes.
Sponsors of the event are Florida Hospital, Highlands Today, Heartland National Bank, Highlands Independent Bank, CenturyLink, Avon Park Main Street CRA, Progress Energy, The News-Sun and Bernie Little Distributers. A $2,000.00 Hole In One Prize is sponsored by The Cohan Radio Group.
Hole sponsorship opportunities are available for $100.00 and includes a professional sign on a golf hole to Promote your business. To obtain an entry form or more information, contact the Avon Park Chamber office at 863-453-3350.
Wings of Faith golf tournament
SEBRING Wings of Faith Christian Worship Center is holding its first annual golf tournament at the Country Club of Sebring on April 16. Check-in is 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. and a shotgun start will take place at 8:30 a.m.
The tournament is a four-person scramble and fees are $60 per player until March 26 and $70 per player afterwards. Entry fee includes green fees, cart and lunch and proceeds will be donated to the Wings of Faith scholarship program.
Hole sponsorships are available.
For more information, contact Jason Hankerson at 863-253-2234 or jasonhankerson@gmail.com or Alvin Walter Sr. at 863-381-5706 or alvinwalterssr@yahoo.com.
Online registrations can be made at www.wingsoffaithchrsitianworhsipcenter.com.
Highlands County senior softball
SEBRING The Highlands County senior softball season begins on Jan. 6 at 12:30 p.m. at the Highlands County Sports Complex. Games will continue through March 15.
After School tennis program
SEBRING Registrations for the winter/spring session of the After School tennis program are now being accepted. The nine-week class begins on Jan. 5 and will continue through March 7 at the Thakkar Tennis Center at Sebring Country Club.
Class for Tiny Tots (4 to 6 years old) will be Tuesday between 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. and the cost is $75. Future Champs (ages 6 to 12) will meet Monday and Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. and the cost is 90. Open classes will be held between 4 and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The cost of one class per week is $90.
The Pre-Tournament Academy (12 to 18 year olds) meets on Wednesday and Thursday between 5 and 6:30 p.m. The cost is $120. For more information, contact Horace Watkis at 863-414-2164 or the Country Club at 863-386-4282.
YMCA gymnastics
SEBRING The YMCA is offering gymnastics classes for children 3 and up. There are classes for beginners, intermediates and advanced gymnasts. For more information, call the YMCA at 863-382-9622.
Panther Volleyball Training Camp
AVON PARK The South Florida Community College Panthers will be holding their 2011 Panther Volleyball Training Camp between Jan. 6 and Feb. 3 at the Panther Gym. The four-week training camp will take place on Tuesdays and Thursday between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. and is for players in sixth through 12th grade.
The cost of the camp is $100 and no more than 30 players will be accepted.
For more information, contact the SFCC athletic department at 863-784-7037 or 863-465-5300 in Lake Placid. You may also contact Panther head coach Kim Crawford at kim.crawford@southflorida.edu.
Royal Palms taking youth league sign-ups
LAKE PLACID Royal Palms youth bowling league for ages 7 and up will begin its new season on Jan. 7 and new bowlers are welcome. The sign-up fee is $25 and includes a shirt.
Bowling will take place on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and will continue through April 16. Youth league bowlers are eligible for discounted open bowling rates and free bowling with instruction on Fridays between 4 and 6 p.m. when accompanied by an adult.
For more information, contact Frank Peterson at 863-382-9541 or Donna Stanley at 863-441-4897.
Golf clinics
SEBRING Debby McNall is hosting a junior golf clinic beginning at 4 p.m. every Thursday at Sebring Golf Club. She is also holding a ladies clinic at 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Contact McNall at 863-257-1108 or 863-386-9492 for more information.
Kegel Bowling Academy
SEBRING The Kegel Youth Bowling Academy is looking for kids interested in bowling. Ages are from 5-20, with bowling every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and practice on Friday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Registration fee is $45, which includes shirt, sanctioning fee, first and last week of bowling. Cost is $10 weekly.
For more information, call Kegel at 863-382-2643.
Highlands County YMCA
SEBRING The Highlands County YMCA offers four certified personal trainers specializing in many areas to meet your fitness needs. Personal trainers are available for members and nonmembers.
Trainer Mike Ritacco focuses on pre-teen to teenage sport specific and a variety of heath fitness training; Heidi Crutchfield specializes in multi-sport and triathlon training; Sandy Hollinger concentrates on active older adults and weight loss; and Stephen Baily works with power strength training and weight loss.
The Highlands Today sports department can be reached at 863-386-5837 or sports@highlandstoday.com
From www2.highlandstoday.com
Sports announcements
Feb 9th
Montgomery Central Little League signups
What: Montgomery Central Little League signups for tee ball, baseball and softball.
Ages: 4-18.
When: Feb. 19 and Feb. 26, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: MCLL Building, 4011 Highway 48/13. Located behind Montgomery Central Elementary.
Miscellaneous: A Tee Ball softball league for girls ages 4-6 will be added. Signups are open to all Montgomery Central area residents and all residents of Houston County.
Contact: www.mcllonline.com for more information.
Adult Tennis Clinics at APSU
What: The Malik Tabet Tennis Academy is offering one hour tennis clinics each week.
Miscellaneous: These sessions are for both beginners and inter-mediate level players.
Time: The evening session is from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday. A women’s adult session is from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Tuesdays.
Cost: $10 per one hour session
Contact: Coach Malik Tabet (931) 221-6101 E-mail: tabetm@apsu.edu or visit WWW.TABETTENNIS.COM; Facebook: Malik Tabet Tennis Academy
Austin Peay softball Lil’ PeayWees
What: Austin Peay softball is looking for kids, kindergarten thru eighth grade, who want to be a part of Austin Peay Softball Lil’ PeayWees.
Cost: $40.
Miscellaneous: By joining Lil’ PeayWees you receive a free all skills clinic, Lil’ PeayWees Club tee-shirt, monthly hand written letter from current Lady Govs softball player (February thru May), chance to be a bat girl at a home game (pulled from a hat) and a pizza party with Lady Govs softball players.
Contact: Kristin Erb at erbk@apsu.edu or 221-6678.
Playmaker Basketball Academy
What: Playmaker Basketball Academy is offering a basketball skill development program for those players that may have not made their middle school or high school basketball team. The program is designed to develop each player physically as well as increase their basketball IQ. This program is available to all players.
When: Ongoing
Where: Emmanuel Family Life Center 301 Fairview Lane.
Contact : www.playmakerbasketball.org or 931-302-6015.
Junior Tennis Clinics at APSU
The APSU Tennis Center is offering junior tennis clinics for Ages 4 to 16. Sessions meet for one hour twice a week. These sessions are for beginners to beginner intermediate players.
The sessions are as follows:
Session II: Monday and Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Session III: Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Session IV: Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 per one hour session
Contact: Coach Malik Tabet (931) 221-6101 or e-mail tabetm@apsu.edu
From www.theleafchronicle.com
Laureus Awards highlight sports for global good
Feb 8th
(02-07) 04:00 PST Abu Dhabi, —
United Arab Emirates – Even Jerry Jones couldn’t dream up this type of excess.
A few hours after the NFL gathered at Jerry’s palace in Texas for an only-in-America sports event, a global gathering took place here at an even more opulent locale.
The Emirates Palace hotel – which cost $3 billion to build and comes with a gold-dispensing ATM in the lobby – hosted the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday.
The impact of the event stretches far beyond the hotel’s golden domes, deep into the slums of Nairobi and Mumbai, the favelas of Brazil, the inner cities of Asia. Into areas of deprivation and poverty around the globe, where access to a sports program can change a child’s life.
“Our goal is to make a difference,” said Edwin Moses, the former hurdling great who is now chairman of the Laureus Academy.
The annual awards – a type of Oscars for athletes – are a glitzy, red-carpet affair, recognizing the best at sports from all over the globe. Rafael Nadal, last seen sweating through the Australian Open, donned an Armani tuxedo. Host Kevin Spacey and fellow actor Morgan Freeman glided along the red carpet, as did top-ranked tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, who apparently ignored all local admonitions about covering cleavage and shoulders.
The awards, decided by voters in the Laureus Academy, a star-studded group of past and present athletes, don’t get much notice in the United States – but the rest of the world pays attention.
“It’s the most important award in the world of sport,” said Nadal, who was named 2010 Sportsman of the Year. “The best athletes in the world are voting for it. For me, it is a priority to be here.”
Nadal made the trip despite still rehabilitating a leg injury sustained in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open. He beat out soccer players Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, boxer Manny Pacquiao, Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel and Kobe Bryant. Bryant was one of the few American household names nominated (the Lakers were nominated for team of the year but lost to World Cup champion Spain). And a local newspaper columnist objected to Bryant’s very inclusion, arguing that he didn’t do enough globally to deserve consideration.
The endgame of the awards is a greater good. The beneficiary is the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation that supports 83 projects around the world, from soccer leagues in Nairobi, Kenya, to basketball programs that unite children from Israel and Palestine.
Moses Mutuli grew up in the slums of Mathare in Nairobi. Through the Mathare Youth Sports Association – now funded by Laureus – he was encouraged to play soccer and help clean up his community.
“I had never played with a real football – only a garbage bag,” Mutuli said. “It inspired us and taught us about community.”
Mutuli has become a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford.
Laureus, currently funded by Mercedes-Benz, IWC-Schaffhausen and Vodafone, started 11 years ago. Its mission is based on Nelson Mandela’s vision that “sport has the power to change the world.” The foundation relies on former competitors such as Martina Navratilova, decathlete Daley Thompson, skier Alberto Tomba and runner Kip Keino to bring attention to its cause.
“Athletes have such a powerful role to play,” said Nawal El Moutawakel, an IOC member who became the first Muslim woman to win Olympic gold when she won the 400-meter hurdles in 1984. “Athletes have fame, money, glory. What else do they need? To give back to the next generation. It’s very moving, very touching.”
This gathering in Abu Dhabi was part reunion and part revival. The athletes were out and about – Tony Hawk went sandboarding in the Arabian dunes – to spread the word.
“Most of us used sports to change our lives – for me, it was tennis that opened the door,” Boris Becker said. “Sports is such a powerful language.”
Hawk saw that when he went to Sierra Leone to work with former child soldiers. He met children who hadn’t seen a skateboard. He put them on his “magic carpet” and took them for rides.
“To see how much impact one coach, one soccer ball, one Frisbee can have,” Hawk said. “It’s amazing.”
From www.sfgate.com
Nadal and Vonn win Laureus sports awards
Feb 7th
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – Spain enjoyed a double celebration on Monday when tennis champion Rafael Nadal and their World Cup winning soccer team walked away with the top prizes at the Laureus Sports Awards.
Nadal was named Sportsman of the Year after a remarkable season in which he won the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open trophies while Spain’s World Cup side were named Team of the Year at a glittering ceremony attended by celebrities and sporting greats.
American Alpine skier Lindsay Vonn, who won the Olympic downhill gold at the Vancouver Games last February just days after suffering a shin injury, was voted Sportswoman of the Year.
Spain, the United States and Germany were the big winners with each country bagging two awards.
There was a rapturous welcome for French soccer great Zinedine Zidane, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his remarkable career.
The Spirit of Sport Award was presented to the European Ryder Cup Team to mark their emotional win over the United States in a match “which demonstrated great sportsmanship, golf played at the highest level and enormous and passionate galleries,” a statement from the organizers said.
The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognize sporting achievement, are the premier honors on the international sporting calendar.
Double Oscar winner Kevin Spacey hosted the event attended by celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment.
The Awards were announced in seven categories. The winners were:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Rafael Nadal (Spain)
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Lindsey Vonn (U.S.)
Laureus World Team of the Year: Spain World Cup Team
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Martin Kaymer (Germany)
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Valentino Rossi (Italy)
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Verena Bentele (Germany)
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Kelly Slater (U.S.)
The Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Zinedine Zidane (France)
Laureus Spirit of Sport Award: European Ryder Cup Team
Laureus Sport for Good Award: May El-Khalil, founder of the Beirut Marathon.
(Reporting by Stanley Carvalho, Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
From www.latimes.com
