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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesEscambia County Parks and Recreation recently wrapped up another successful youth football season at county parks, along with the inaugural Pensacola Recreation All-Star Soccer Tournament at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Complex.
Hundreds of local youth ages 5-14 participated in the Northwest Florida Youth Sports Alliance Football League, with six teams from county parks making it to the championships on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Milton High School.
The Bellview Packers 6-under team won the championship game for their age group, representing the Bellview Youth Association based at Escambia County’s Bellview Athletic Park.
“It’s been an incredible season for youth football in Escambia County, and we’re very proud of all of our teams that worked hard all season to make it to the championship,” Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said. “I’d like to thank all of our sports associations, coaches, and the dedicated parents and volunteers who put in countless hours to help make this a wonderful experience for our kids.”
The following teams from Escambia County parks also made it to the championship:
In addition to six Escambia County teams, the Northwest Florida Youth Sports Alliance Football League includes teams from the City of Pensacola and Santa Rosa County. NWFYSA President Brian Reed said the organization has grown to about 3,500 athletes and more than 600 coaches, with teams playing at 16 parks across the two-county area.
Reed said having a great working relationship with Escambia County Parks and Recreation helped make it a smooth season, and that NWFYSA is already looking at ways to improve for next year as the league continues to grow.
“Our relationship with the county is probably the best it’s ever been this year,” Reed said. “We’ve been working hand-in-hand, and that relationship has just been fantastic.”
But at the end of the day, Reed said their primary focus is nurturing and mentoring youth athletes.
“For us, it’s watching them grow as athletes and as people in our community,” Reed said. “It’s really rewarding 5, 8, 10 years down the road to have an athlete come back and recognize and remember you and say you made a difference. That’s why we do it.”
For the first time ever, Escambia County Parks and Recreation also hosted a Youth Soccer Recreation All-Star Tournament this year, which included about 200 local youth ages 8-15 who were selected by their coaches to participate. Participating teams were from Pensacola Futbol Club, Perdido Bay Futbol Club, City of Pensacola Youth Soccer, and the Tiger Point Sports Association.
The tournament took place Nov. 16-18, with results for Escambia County teams as follows:
The tournament was such a success that Escambia County plans to make it an annual event.
“Youth sports are such an integral part of our mission at Escambia County Parks and Recreation, so we’re excited to continue to enhance youth sports in our community with tournaments like this,” Rhodes said. “We’re looking forward to continuing to grow this soccer tournament and provide new opportunities for talented players to grow and compete.”
To learn more about participating in youth soccer, visit perdidobayfc.com or pensacolafutbolclub.com. For information about NWFYSA, visit nwfysa.org.
For more information about Escambia County Parks and Recreation, visit the Escambia County website.
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