FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2002
Contact: Nick Gandy (850) 488-8347
Tallahassee Youth Sports Festival gives area youth a look at amateur sports
TALLAHASSEE -- Area students of all ages will have a chance to learn the difference between a fencing epee and foil, drive a golf ball down the fairway, take a roller hockey slap shot or test their skills in one of 20 sports clinics at the Tallahassee Youth Sports Festival, presented by Capital Health Plan, on Saturday, October 19 at the Florida State University School (Florida High).
The Tallahassee Youth Sports Festival features a full day of sports clinics and activities plus an Opening Ceremony with a parade of athletes, torch lighting, special guests and entertainment. There will also be a Sports and Wellness Expo with health screenings, fitness testing, giveaways and more.
The Sports Festival is a program of the Florida Sports Foundation's (FSF) Youth Sports and Wellness Program, a partnership between FSF and the Florida Department of Education. The program is designed to increase sports, recreation and wellness opportunities for the benefit of the community, but most importantly - for the benefit of local youth.
"Recognizing that physical fitness is paramount to maintaining a healthy mind and body, I salute the efforts of the Florida Sports Foundation and the Tallahassee Sports Council to expand our youth's involvement in sports," said Governor Bush. "The Florida Youth Sports and Wellness Program aims to improve the quality of life of young Floridians through sports and fitness, an objective for which we should all be proud."
Participants will have the opportunity to participate, at no charge, in five one-hour sport clinics throughout the day. The first 1,000 registered participants will receive a Festival t-shirt, lunch and a gold medal. All participants, spectators, family members and friends are welcome to be present to support the athletes.
Clinics will be offered in the following sports: Archery, Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cycling, Fencing, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Roller Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Speed Skating, Speed and Strength Training, Tennis, Table Tennis, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Wrestling.
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Athlete check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with the Opening Ceremonies beginning at 9:00 a.m. The first session of clinics are from 10AM until Noon, followed by lunch. The second session of clinics will run from 1:00-4:00 P.M.
Registration deadline is October 10. Registration applications have been distributed at Tallahassee area public and private schools. Applications can also be obtained by calling the Tallahassee Sports Council at 413-8761 or the Florida Sports Foundation 488-8347.
"It's important to recognize that sports and fitness activities complement academic instruction," said Charlie Crist, Florida Commissioner of Education. "As such, Florida's tradition of successful student athletic programs has long been an integral part of our children's education. Much of this success rests with organizations such as the Florida Sports Foundation."
"Playing sports was a large part of my upbringing," said Jim Horne, Secretary of Education. "So I know the role athletics play in a well-rounded education. The Florida Sports Foundation and the Tallahassee Sports Council are strong advocates of the active lifestyle that I want all Florida's students to experience."
The Tallahassee Youth Sports Festival is a program of the Florida Sports Foundation in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education, Tallahassee Sports Council and the following community partners: Capital Health Plan, Florida High, Leon County Tobacco Free Partnership, Rowland Publishing, Inc., Capital City Bank Group Foundation, Florida PBA/Cops for Kids, Tallahassee Memorial Health Care, SouthWood, Tallahassee 25, Tallahassee Police Department, Guaranty National Bank, Seacoast Supply and the Optimist Club of Tallahassee.
"Capital Health Plan's mission includes supporting and promoting prevention and wellness in our community," said Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, Associate Medical Director for Capital Health Plan. "The Youth Sports and Wellness Program is an excellent example of something that can make a much bigger difference in overall health than any of the modern miracles of medicine."
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2002 Tallahassee Youth Sports Festival Sport Clinics and Directors
Archery - Oliver Austin, Tri-State Archers, Tallahassee
Baseball - Florida High Baseball Coaching Staff
Basketball - Florida High Basketball Coaching Staff
Cheerleading - Kristin Thompson
Cycling - Tec Thomas, Tec's Bike Shop, Tallahassee
Fencing - Marian Deeney, FSU Fencing Club
Golf - Bill Zimmer, Tallahassee Parks & Recreation Department
Gymnastics - Katy Johnston, Trousdell Gymnastics Center
Judo - Fred Hand, Leon County Judo Club/Sunshine State Games Judo Director
Roller Hockey - Tallahassee YMCA Staff
Soccer - Andy Warner, Warner Sports, Tallahassee
Softball - Cindy Mead, Tallahassee Parks & Recreation
Speed & Strength Training - Titus Sports Academy
Speed Skating - Southern Speed Team of Skate World
Table Tennis - Willy Leparulo, FSU Table Tennis Club
Tennis - Kelly Tucker, USA Tennis
Track & Field - Harlis Meaders, Florida State University Track Team
Ultimate Frisbee - Florida State University Frisbee Club
Volleyball - Dr. Cecile Reynaud, former Florida State University Volleyball coach
Werestling - Jack Davis, Florida Wrestling Association
All clinics are one hour. Application will list which sports need specific equipment.