Youth: New youth football league forming

After two years as satellite members of the Orange Bowl Youth Football League, Southwest Florida is forming the new West Coast Xtreme Youth Football League, spearheaded by the Naples Gators and Marco Island Eagles.

West Coast Xtreme, which formed out of the acclaimed Miami Xtreme Youth Football League, will start play this upcoming 2006 season. West Coast Xtreme is looking for other programs in Southwest Florida to join Naples and Marco Island as charter members.

“There seems to be a family feeling with the Xtreme and the Orange Bowl,” said Steve Quinn, president of the Naples Gators.

“They really seem to go out of their way to make the kids’ football experience one they will always remember. The fact that the kids get to play in the Orange Bowl is exciting. The OBYFL coming out to our parks for the ‘Park of the Week’ and the weekly television show where our kids get to be on TV, not to mention the Dolphins tickets that they furnish for the kids and parents, that’s exciting stuff.

“Last year was my first experience with the OBYFL, but I can see now why we are in this League. Now we want to bring the excitement over here to the West Coast so that existing leagues can see that there are options out there, and any new leagues that are just starting out can get the personal touch, support, and financial help they need during their first few years.”

Any parks or recreation centers interested should attend an informational kickoff meeting on Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. on Fleischmann Field, located at 1600 Fleischmann Blvd. in Naples. For information on the new West Coast Extreme League contact Mike or Dawn Snyder at (239) 285-6677 or Steve Quinn at (239) 825-6753.

For more information on the Orange Bowl Youth Football League or any of its member leagues, contact Youth Sports Manager Dennis Barnes at (305) 341-4709 or by e-mail at yflkids@orangebowl.org. You can also go to the OBYFL’s Web Site at www.orangebowl.org.

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The USA South 16’s team captured first place in the Sandspurs Super Bowl Bash tournament held in Tampa last weekend.

The team played up an age level in the 17s division. The players are: Rachel Antonucci, Christine Bomberger, Sheryl Davis, Eva Dupay, Laurie Gegen, Brooke Gregory, Mukuka Kangwa, Samantha Lange, Brittany Potanovic and Holly Youngquist. They are coached by Stephanie Martin.

The USA South 18s team and 15s teams finished third in their respective age groups while the 13 Black Team finished third in the 14s division.

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Gymnastic World Level 8 and 9 gymnasts performed well at the United States Gymnastic Association West Coast Classic recently held in Clearwater.

Level 9 gymnast Michaela Chernoch captured first place all- around, earning first on the balance beam and floor exercise, second on bars and fifth on vault.

Eva Swedish placed fourth all- around, taking third on bars and vault, fourth on floor and fifth on beam.

Level 8 gymnast Kristen Urnbanowski placed fourth all- around, earning second on floor and fourth on bars and beam. Mia Longo placed fifth all-around, capturing first on floor, fourth on vault and fifth on beam.

“These results were very good,” Gymnastic World coach Katie McGinley said. “We continue to work on enhancing performed skills. Our goal is to peak in March at the state championships.”

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The Naples Progressive Gymnastics boys also team competed in the West Coast Invitational in Clearwater and turned in some strong performances.

In Level 4, Jaxson Lamb was first on high bar and fifth on parallel bars, Justin Grosso was second on vault and Dylan Travis was third on vault and fifth on floor, pommel and all-around.

At Level 5, Omar Bishr was second on vault, fifth on high bar, Kenneth Hardy was fourth on high bar, Noah Evans was fifth on vault and parallel bars, Garrett Karolyi was second on vault, fourth on high bar, Jack Travis was third on parallel bars and Sean O’Connor was second on vault.

The Level 8 and 9 teams placed second. Calen Ambrioso competed at Level 8 and placed first on floor and pommel, third on vault, second on high bar and all-around. Competing at Level 9, Zac Sperry was fifth on vault and all-around and Nicholas Rougraff was fifth on rings.

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The 2006 season gets under way at Fleischmann Park on Goodlette Road as Greater Naples Little League begins its 47th year on Feb. 18. Opening ceremonies will commence at 10 a.m.

Greater Naples Little League played its first season in 1959, making it the second oldest league in Collier County behind North Naples Little League.

For more information, call 262-2496.

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The Collier County Lacrosse Association is holding its annual high school lacrosse jamboree Saturday at Pine Ridge Middle School starting at 10 a.m. and going until 4 p.m.

The jamboree is the annual kickoff to the lacrosse season for the high school teams in Southwest Florida. Each team plays a total of three abbreviated games. There are 12 teams in the area now, coming from just two teams only three years ago. The jamboree gives new players and parents the chance to see the sport for the first time in real game situations.

For more information call Matt Franken, CCLA chairman, at 595-0412.

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The ESB (Estero, San Carlos, Bonita) Mustangs Pop Warner Youth Football and Cheerleading Association is having registration for their upcoming spring flag football and cheerleading season on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

at the Mustangs practice field on Williams Road, just west of Estero High School. The cost is $50 for the first child, $25 for the second child and the third child is free (per family). The season will run Wednesday nights for eight weeks beginning April 4.

There also will be early registration for the Fall tackle football and cheerleading season at this time. For questions or if you have an interest in coaching call Paul Schweitzer (football) at 949-0093 or Emily McDaniel (cheer) at 949-7226, or visit the Web site at www.esteromustangs.net.

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The Estero Hawks 16-and-under travel baseball team is currently looking for players of all positions for the Spring 2006 season. Players must be willing to participate at a highly competitive level and travel occasionally for tournament play.

Reliable and experienced players are needed.

Tryouts will be held throughout the months of January and February. High school players are also eligible.

Contact Ingrid Walsh at 671-9113 for tryout times and locations.

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The All American Cage Classic Tournament is looking for all AAU, YBOA, USSSA, JV and Varsity travel teams to participate on March 17-19. For more information visit www.aacctournaments.com or contact Regional Director David Montgomery at (813) 610-7812 or via e-mail at dmonty69@aol.com.

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Naples Stingray Wrestling Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Golden Gate Middle School. The club is open to all boys and girls ages 5-18 and registration is taken at any practice. The club is looking for sponsors and coaches. For more information call Matt Naufel at 352-7259.

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Rising Stars Football Camp, sponsored by the Marvin Jones Charitable Foundation, Inc., is beginning early registration for its summer camps at a cost of $200 per session ($175 if registered by May 19). The non-contact camps will be held at South Fort Myers High School from June 9-11 and June 16-18 for kids in Grades 4-11. In addition to former New York Jets All-Pro linebacker Marvin Jones, an 11-year pro, former San Francisco 49ers fullback William Floyd, former New England Patriots nose tackle Mike Ruth, current Minnesota Vikings linebacker Sam Cowart, three-time Pro Bowl and former New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis and Orlando Predators quarterback Joe Hamilton will be on hand. For more information call (239) 390-3163 or go to www.marvinjonesfoundation.org.

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Ten Star All-Star Basketball Camps are now accepting applications for their invitation-only camps for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 19. Past participants include: Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, jerry Stackhouse, Grant Hill and Antawn Jamison. Players from all 50 United States and 18 foreign countries attended the 2005 camp. College basketball scholarships are possible for players selected to the All-American team. Florida's camp will be held in Babson Park. For more information and a free brochure call (704) 373-0873.

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Baseball Player Development School offers professional personal instruction on hitting, fielding, throwing and speed training; Instructed by Cleveland Indians scout Rick Saggese; Open to kids 6-18; Phone 777-4435.

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Lee County Parks and Recreation will be holding free baseball clinics in conjunction with the Minnesota Twins for local boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 15 on the following dates and times and at the following places: Saturday at Buckingham Community Park from 10 a.m. to noon and at Lehigh Community Park from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11 at Three Oaks Park from 10 a.m. to noon and at Starcher-Petty Field in North Naples from 1 to 3 p.m and Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hammond Stadium inside the Lee County Sports Complex. For more information call (239) 461-7400.

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Florida Lady Shockers is an elite 16-and-under girls basketball team representing various counties throughout the state of Florida. Membership is by invitation and the team is coached by Gus Navarro and his assistants. For more information contact Gus Navarro at either (239) 352-1088 or (239) 465-9257.

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Team USA/Youth is seeking volunteer scouts to evaluate local youth soccer players for selection onto regional teams competing in Europe next summer; For more information, visit Web site www.teamusayouth.org or e-mail info@teamusayouth.org.

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Jiu Jitsu Classes Monday and Wednesday evenings from 4-5 p.m., for beginners and advanced ages 6-11; Phone 213-3020.

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Sanctuary Skate Park Open seven days a week; Monday-Thursday 4-7 p.m.; Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday public skating $3 from 4-7 p.m.; Phone 793-6800.

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Edge Skate Park at Fleischmann Park; For beginners and advanced skateboarders and in-line skaters; Cost: $10 per year; Hours: Monday-Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.; Phone 213-3027.

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Top Gun of Naples All-Star Cheerleading for boys/girls grades K-12; openings available for competitive and non-competitive teams; All skill levels welcome; Phone 263-9596.

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SWIM Florida Youth Team at Marco Island YMCA; Ages 6 to college; Fitness, fun and excellence; Cost $8 practice session; Local, state-wide meets; Phone: 394-3144 ext. 206.

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Essential Swim Lessons for ages three months and up; Phone: 352-1730.

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Explosive Speed Training Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6:15 p.m., at Steven's Arena; Improved athletic speed, quickness and jumping ability; Phone: 298-0150.

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Fort Myers Skatium is holding learn to skate mini-series on Thursdays; for beginners age 6-up; Thursdays 6:15-7:15 p.m.; phone 941-461-3145 ext. 21.

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Marco Island YMCA is offering youth programs in the following sports and activities: T-ball, volleyball, tap and ballet, karate and creative movements; For specific age requirements and times, phone 394-3144; Ext. 225.

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Greater Naples YMCA Water Polo Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon; YMCA Norris Aquatic Center; For kids 8-adult; Cost: $20/month; Open to non-YMCA members; Phone 591-8500.

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City of Naples and NCH Healthcare Midnight Basketball Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight at Gulfview Middle School Gym; For kids and adults ages 13 and older; Phone 213-3030.

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City of Naples USA Track & Field Youth Program trains at Fleischmann Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays under the instruction of Rob Leatherbury. This program is for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 14 and trains for meets taking place in Southwest Florida. The cost is $40. For more information call 213-3013.

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City of Naples Youth Golf Clinics PGA pro Ty Anderson holds these clinics at Fleischmann Park on Thursdays for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12. This class is designed for beginners and intermediates and teaches the basics of chipping, putting and stroke production. Cost is $52 for city residents and $58 for non-residents. For more information call 213-3013.

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City of Naples Tony Kamen Youth Tennis Clinics are taught at Naples High on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m., for four-week sessions. Tony Kamen, Naples High boys coach, will teach beginners and intermediates fitness, conditioning drills and match play. Cost is $80 for city residents and $90 for non-city residents. For more information call 213-3013.

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Niseido Jiu Jitsu Classes sponsored by the City of Naples and taught by instructors of the Southwest Academy for Martial Arts at Fleischmann Park. Classes are Mondays, Wednesdays from 5:15-6:15 p.m ., and Saturdays from 9-10:30 a.m., for children between the ages of 6 and 11. Instructors will teach karate, judo and Jiu Jitsu techniques. Cost is $56 for city residents per month and $68 for non-residents per month. For more information call 450-5734.

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Naples Progressive Gymnastics is offering open gym for kids 6 and older on Friday evenings from 6:30-8; No registration necessary; Cost: $10; Phone 598-3700.

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Naples Progressive Gymnastics is offering family open gyms Wednesday mornings from 9:30-10:30 and Saturday mornings from 9-10.; Cost: $10 ($1 off each sibling); Pre-registered mothers groups of 10 or more, $7.50 per child.; Phone 598-3700.

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Naples Progressive Gymnastics offers cheer tumble times on Monday and Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. and/or 7-8 p.m. Cost: $7.50 for 1 hour or $14 for 2 hours; Phone 598-3700.

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Beginners Taekwondo Classes for ages 8-under, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6 p.m.; Intermediate classes also available; Phone 591-3001.

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Rowing Association of Naples meets Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon at Rowing Center, Pulling Park, Central Avenue extension, on the Gordon River, Naples; Members, former rowers and novices welcome; coaching available; phone 248-1035.

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To have your youth activity listed in the calendar, mail it to Naples Daily News, Kids Calendar, 1075 Central Ave., Naples, Fla., 34102. You can also fax the information to 239-263-4816 or e-mail sports@naplesnews.com but e-mail is preferred and by no later than 4:30 p.m., on Sundays.