After many discussions between the Predators, Parkland Soccer Club, and officials from the City of Parkland, travel soccer will be provided exclusively by Parkland Soccer Club going forward. Parents and professionals made it clear that the best-practice model for youth soccer was an integrated soccer club offering both recreational and travel soccer. This allows the dedicated subset of kids who fall in love with soccer as recreational players to have a natural path to continue their development, if they choose, in travel Soccer.
Parkland Soccer Club has run the recreational program in Parkland for over 30 years. Its current Program will not change as it continues to provide a Recreational Soccer League from November to February. That league will maintain a focus on fun, sportsmanship, being open to all, and maintaining its current fair playing time rules in order for players of all skill levels to enjoy the game.
Our community’s parents, coaches and soccer professionals—many of whom were part of the Predators program—will be directly involved in managing the new travel program. The Parkland Soccer Club board will oversee the program and ensure its strategic direction is in line with its mission of serving Parkland youth. Roger and Laurie Thomas, who have worked with many Parkland youth through their soccer academy, will be the soccer professionals tasked with establishing programs and curriculum to develop players and keep them playing right here for Parkland.
And to further elucidate the talent of the Parkland Predators teammates, they’ve added another championship to their repertoire. This time the U12 boys team were crowned champions at the Vero Beach Classic in late April. This was their first tournament under the 11V11 format on a big field. The boys have adjusted well in a very short time given that a month ago they were playing 8V8. On the way to the championship they accomplished a 3-0-1 record with 10 goals for and only 2 against. They defeated teams from Miami and Central Florida on their way to the final and have become one of the top teams in the Tri-County area and a force to be reckoned with statewide. They displayed tremendous teamwork the entire weekend and overcame injuries and players out due to illness.
In addition to their success, our U11 Girls captured 2nd place in the same tournament. The girls reached the final with a 3-0 record after beating teams from Boca Raton and Central Florida. This was a great feat for them since 80% of them are playing a year up. Congrats to these amazing young ladies!
Success on the field continues to follow the Parkland Predators. Our city may be small, but we continue to show that we have very talented players and a philosophy and system that work for these boys and girls. It was less than a year ago our U12 squad (now U13) won the Region Cup for both A and C Regions. Prior to that, it had been 10 years since any Parkland team had won the Region’s Cup.
Though we are on our summer break, we offer open tryouts year around. For more information see www.parklandtravelsoccer.com
