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• AYSL AND JUNGLE TERRACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION PARTNER TO WIN GRANT AWARD
• STRIKER ACADEMY EXTENDED FOR TWO MORE DATES
• JESSIE LANG U12 GIRLS STATE CHAMPION AT ELKS SHOOT, HENRY ZUERCHER TAKES THIRD IN U12 BOYS
• LITTLE EAGLES WINTER SEASON STARTS JANUARY 20
• INAUGURAL SPRING SEASON STARTING IN APRIL
• U16 LADY EAGLES NAMED TO ALL STAR TEAM
• AZALEA BRINGS HOME PAIR OF CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM LARGO HALLOWEEN TOURNEY
• AYSL INTRODUCES "ZMACKIT" TRAINING AID

Representatives of AYSL and its local neighborhood group, the Jungle Terrace Civic Association (JTCA), were on hand to accept a $2,500 grant award from the Mayor’s Neighborhood Recognition Program at the St. Petersburg City Council meeting on January 19. The program celebrates the commitment of citizens to their community through volunteer efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of life in the neighborhood.  The award recognized the cooperative efforts of JTCA and AYSL to beautify Walter Fuller Park.  The grant funds received will be applied to further enhancement of the Park and to AYSL's scholarship program intended to assist families facing financial hardship with their registration fees.

The Mike Ambersley Striker Academy, which began on December 2, has been extended for two more weeks, with sessions from 6-7 PM and 7-8 PM on January 20 and 27 at the Walter Fuller soccer fields.  More information is provided below.

• Cost: $15.00 per session/per person

• Open to Boys and Girls Recreational and Competitive Players U9 - U18

• Limited Spots Per Session

• To register and for more information, contact Mike Ambersley (mikeambersley@yahoo.com)

Mike Ambersley has played for the U-20 USA National Team, won a NCAA Division 1 National Championship with the Indiana Hoosiers Men's Soccer team, was drafted by FC Dallas of Major League Soccer and was among the top five goal scorers of the NASL in 2011, scoring 11 goals for FC Tampa Bay.  Watch Mike Ambersley's 2011 season highlights.

The second season of AYSL's Little Eagles Program begins on January 20, 2012.  The five week program is designed to introduce 3 and 4 year old boys and girls to soccer with fun activities that focus on learning basic skills.  Sign up online by January 11.

Recreational and competitive players from U6-U19 are invited to sign up for AYSL's inaugural Spring Soccer season, which starts on April 3.  The Spring Soccer Program includes one pre-season practice and team meeting followed by two weekly games through May 4.  Registration deadline is March 16.  Sign up online by February 10 and receive a $10 discount on the registration fee.      

Cassie Smoot, Lily Zaleski, Emily Dewitt, Angie Reinhart and Kylie Slauson, members of the U16 Lady Eagles team, were selected to participate in the United Soccer Association (USA) All Star Showcase October 21 at Eckerd College.  The girls played for the USA Red team, which competed against the USA Blue team.  The match resulted in a 1-1 draw and preceded a Sunshine Conference matchup between the host Tritons and the visiting University of Tampa Spartans.  The Spartans edged the Tritons 1-0 on Senior Night. 

The U11 Eagle boys and U9 Eagle girls blue took first place in their respective divisions in the 2011 Largo Halloween Tournament held October 14-16.  The U11s (pictured below left) outscored their opponents 9-2 as they swept through opening round play defeating Central Pasco, West Florida Premier and Tarpon FC.  Coach Steve Martin's squad blanked Tarpon FC, 3-0, in the final to claim the championship trophy.  Coach Steve Beaver and the U9 girls blue team (pictured below right) won two of three in the opening round before defeating the Clearwater Chargers in a penalty kick shootout, 2-0, in the championship game. 

The U13 Eagle boys earned second placed in their division.  Coach Jason Montoya's team was undefeated in opening round play, downing Brandon FC Yellow, the Jacksonville Fury and Wesley Chapel by a combined score of 8-2 before falling to Brandon FC Blue in the finals.  Coach Steve Eaton and the U12 Eagle girls blue team (pictured right) earned a berth in the finals as well after defeating Valrico and West Pasco Everton and playing to a draw against Wesley Chapel.  The girls earned the runners-up trophy after falling short in an exciting title game match against West Florida Premier, losing in a penalty kick shootout.       

AYSL has partnered with ZMACKit®, designers of a simple yet revolutionary soccer shoe-sleeve with colored markings, which was developed by professional soccer coaches and players as a teaching and training aid that:

• Makes it easy for even the most inexperienced coaches to teach and communicate the basics of soccer; and

• Shows the proper parts of the foot with which to correctly strike a soccer ball.

Check out the ZMACKit Video to see how it works.  Purchase through the ZMACKit website and AYSL receives a rebate through the ZClub Program.