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Highlands Today

Heartland Soccer Club In First Place

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The Heartland under-12 soccer team has had an outstanding season and has a home game on Saturday.

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Special to Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2009

Beating multiple teams from Tampa, Sarasota, Brandon, Winter Haven, Punta Gorda and Venice, the soccer team of local players has represented the Heartland area well. The U12 season ends on Saturday with a home game at the new County Sports Complex at 11 a.m.

The Heartland Soccer Club under 12 boys soccer team has risen to the top of the Tampa West Coast Division

Heartland Soccer Club was founded by the "Godfathers" of Sebring soccer, Coaches Paul Brown and Steve Ashley, who sought to create an environment where players can learn advanced soccer skills in order to get ready for high school level competition. Players come from all over the Heartland - Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid and even Zolfo Springs - to participate in the Club's positive forum for fitness and learning. The Club is supported by past and present high school varsity coaches who help players truly become students of the game.

Recognized as the world's most popular game, soccer is a sport for the active-minded athlete, providing creativity and great cardiovascular exercise. There is no outfield in soccer and if you are on the field, you are in the mix.

Heartland Soccer Club is grateful for widespread community support. The City and County Parks and Recreation Departments have assisted with playing fields. The new County Sports Complex, in particular, has extremely well maintained grounds rivaling any of the bigger city fields. The YMCA has helped by providing an outstanding recreational league which serves as a feeder system for potential athletes ready to take on the challenges of competitive soccer. Local residents, such as Paul Talbert, also help by serving as referees.

Competitive soccer is divided into junior and senior divisions, with junior games beginning in November and senior games in the summer. Teams generally consist of same age players but can include younger players. Any coach, parent or player interested in starting new teams, assisting with established teams, or serving as a referee, should contact Rob Livingston at 386-5575. There is a particular need for a girls coach as there are many outstanding female players ready for the next step.

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