Submitted by shawn on 15 August 2010 - 2:42pm
Did you know that every game played by the City of Tampa's children's soccer league is played here in Seminole Heights at the Henry & Ola sports park? There are three fields, two with bleacher seating. Each field is a slightly different size to accomodate the various age of the players. Over the years, the City's parks department has welded together various forms of angle iron to create the soccer goal posts. When they rust through and a portion breaks away, the city welds in whatever scrap metal they can find. One of the goals has an old rusty sign post welded in, another has jagged angle iron and a missing support arm.
OSHNA received a copy of a grant request sugmitted by a city employee to try and find a source of funding for new soccer goal posts. We responded to the request and together with the Old Seminole Heights Preservation Consortium (OSHPC) have agreed to reach into the 2010 Home Tour proceeds and purchase two sets of goal posts. The third field still needs to be funded at around $1200 plus shipping. The new goals will be crafted from aluminum to resist rust and be light enough that they can be moved a few feet in either direction to aid in field repair. OSHNA will order all three sets of goals once we have received all the necessary funding.
On Saturday, August 28th, from 9am to noon, OSHNA, the OSHPC, the EJJE Foundation, and the University of Tampa Women's Soccer team are holding a free children's soccer clinic. The clinic will be held at Henry & Ola park, 400 W. Henry Ave. Lunch will be provided and we encourage families to bring something to share making this a real community event.
The EJJE Foundation is a 501c(3) organization devoted to making soccer available to children who may not otherwise be able to. For more information on this wonderful organization, you can view their website or Facebook page. Founder and president, Eddie Oyakhilome will be there to conduct the clinic himself. Respect wristbands and other items will be handed out to the children.
The University of Tampa Women's Soccer team will have representatives to help with the clinic and encourage both boys and girls to play soccer.
Suggested Pot Luck Items:
- Bags of whole apples or oranges
- Cold salads (hold the mayo or bring in ice)
- Cookie Trays or Fresh fruit trays
- Veggies and Dips
Remember that this is lunch for the kids and will be outside from 9 till they choose to eat.
