Sports
Norcross Soccer Program Prepares for Summer, New Season
United Futbol Academy Norcross has named a new director.
With just a few weeks to go until school is out for the summer, parents are scrambling to find activities for energetic youth. A day spent on the soccer field will give kids a fun experience while honing athletic and leadership skills as well as tire them out. (Wink, nudge!)
Registration is open for summer soccer camps at United Futbol Academy Norcross.
Established in 2010, it has since joined with other area programs to establish a larger presence. UFA competes against other clubs locally and within the state. In addition to this competition, many of our traveling teams successfully participate in regional leagues and tournaments including the Elite Clubs National League, South Atlantic Premier League and the Southeastern Club Champions League.
Along with some of the club’s components, quality instruction and a proven developmental structure, there’s something new this season.
Strong leadership
The Executive Board of United Futbol Academy has decided to make a change to focus on the families that play soccer at the UFA Norcross Branch.
United Futbol Academy views the Norcross Branch as a strategic part of the overall club and the need to have a dynamic leader working exclusively at the branch is a necessary adjustment to continue serving our members and the surrounding communities.
Subsequently, Bryan Waltenburg has been named UFA Norcross Branch Director which became effective May 1.
“I am excited about my new leadership role at UFA Norcross and am looking forward to working hard for our players and their families. As we grow the sport of soccer in the Norcross community, my goal is to help young athletes reach their fullest potential both on and off the field,” said Waltenburg.
His wealth of experience in the soccer world has fostered a unique passion and commitment to the youth soccer landscape, according to a statement from the board. He brings 25 years of coaching and leadership experience to UFA Norcross, having coached National Championship level teams all the way down to Academy under nines.
He has been coaching in the Forsyth Branch for the last five years at the NPL/SAPL and ECNL Regional levels and currently holds a USSF “A” National License. In addition to coaching, Bryan has also served in various management/directorial roles including operations, marketing communications, events, technical/curriculum development/implementation and business development within the youth soccer and other various corporate sectors.
UFA functions under the belief that the true value of success in soccer lies through the overall development of the individual player’s soccer skills (technical, tactical, physical and psychological) as opposed to the result of each game. To allow each player to develop at his or her own pace, the program operates under the club system utilized around the world in which every player in each age group has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
UFA’s Executive Director of Business Development, S. Deo Moleka, stated, “It became increasingly important to us to have as a leader someone who would strictly focus on this diverse community. Bryan will also be supported by an entirely full-time staff including a Boys Director, a Girls Director and a Recreational Director. We are excited about this new direction for our Norcross community.”
Jason Smith, current UFA Norcross Branch Director, will be transitioning into a new role at the Elite Programs level with United Futbol Academy.
United Futbol Academy Norcross schedule
Competitive Soccer Tryouts: norcross.unitedfa.org/tryouts-norcross
U8-U14 — May 23-25
U15-U19 — May 31-June 2
No cost to tryout. Must register online.
Recreational Soccer (Fall 2022): norcross.unitedfa.org/norcross-rec
Registration opened May 1 and the season begins Aug. 29.
Register in May and get $10 Off (Early Bird Discount).
Ages — Children born between 2019 (U4) and 2004 (U19)
Summer Camps: norcross.unitedfa.org/norcross-camps
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to noon
Week 1: June 6-10
Week 2: June 13-17
Week 3: June 20-24
Week 4: July 11-15
Cost: $160/week
Upcoming Soccer Tournaments: unitedfa.org/tournaments
Rec Roundup May 21-22, 2022 — U8-U19 recreational teams
Xtreme Cup May 21-22, 2022 — U8-U15 competitive teams
For more information about UFA Norcross, visit the website at norcross.unitedfa.org or email norcross@unitedfa.org. You can also find information on social media at facebook.com/UFANorcross or instagram.com/unitedfa/.
The two-day event aims to raise funds for local dog rescue
Show off your pickleball skills, cheer on the players, meet fellow dog lovers and enjoy the beautiful facility and courts at Life Time Health & Fitness Center in Peachtree Corners at the second annual Pickle for Pups fundraising weekend.
Whether you’re a tournament-level player or a pickleball beginner, this two-day event offers fun for everyone. With exciting games, drills and open play; a Friday night party; Saturday team tournament; and an online raffle, it’s a great way to meet and mingle with other pickleball enthusiasts while supporting the work done by BarkVille Dog Rescue.
Weekend events
The festivities kick off on Friday, November 15 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with an evening of food, drinks, live music and pickleball. The Life Time pros will offer clinics and drills, and other courts will be available for open play. Some of the rescue’s adorable, adoptable dogs will even be onsite for the fun.
Saturday, November 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will feature the team tournament with two divisions: 3.0/3.5 and 4.0/4.5. Matches will include one men’s line, one women’s line and two mixed lines. The top four teams in each level will advance to the medal round, and medals for the top three teams in each division will be awarded.
Participants can form their own team or ask to be placed on a team at their level.
Team tournament players will receive a boxed lunch, and food will also be available for purchase at the club restaurant.
In addition to tournament play, beginners clinics and drills will be offered from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., and open play will be available for those who can’t commit to the full afternoon but still want to have some pickleball fun.
There will be nine courts available for Friday night and 12 courts for Saturday. All courts are permanent pickleball courts and indoor courts are also available, so the event will be held rain or shine.
Ticket options
The Drinks & Dinks pass includes entrance to the Friday evening party (complete with food, drink, live music and pickleball), as well as entry on Saturday for open play, clinics and drills. Cost: $50.
The Top Dog “Team Up for Rescue” tournament pass is for people playing in the team tournament and includes registration for all of the action on Saturday as well as the Friday night party and an event swag bag. Cost: $75.
Both ticket options allow you to come both days or just one day.
The raffle
Pickle for Pups is also holding a raffle featuring amazing prizes, including an all-inclusive trip for two to the Caribbean, a Zane Navratil ProXR paddle and virtual lesson, gift cards to local restaurants and more.
New prizes will be added weekly leading up to the event. Raffle tickets can be purchased online through November 16. The drawing will be held that day at 3:00 p.m.
Ten raffle entries are $25; 140 entries can be purchased for $200. Other entry packages are available for $50 and $100 as well.
The details
Event dates: November 15-16
Location: Life Time Health Club & Fitness Center at 6350 Courtside Dr. NW, Peachtree Corners, GA
For more information or to make a donation, purchase event tickets or buy raffle entries, visit go.rallyup.com/pickleforpups2024.
For more about BarkVille Dog Rescue, visit barkvilledogrescue.org.
Information about Life Time in Peachtree Corners can be found at lifetime.life/locations/ga/peachtree-corners.
Olympian Jasmine Jones, a standout alumna of Greater Atlanta Christian School (Class of 2020), returned to her alma mater on September 12 to speak to and inspire the next generation of students there.
GAC staff interviewed Jones and also took questions from the students during a Q&A session that included every grade level.
As a member of the U.S. Olympic team and a 12-time Georgia state individual champion during her time at GAC, Jasmine’s visit was a homecoming filled with motivation and reflection. She spoke passionately to the students about the importance of perseverance, goal-setting, and embracing challenges, drawing from her journey from GAC to the University of Southern California and the global stage of the Olympics.
Jones qualified for the Paris Olympics on June 30 and made the U.S. team in women’s 400m hurdles after placing third. She went on to place fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles final at the Paris games.
Students and staff at GAC cheered Jones on during the Olympics. And they cheered her again as she took to the school’s stage to address the audience. Before and after the event, Jones posed for photos, gave high-fives and took time connect with some of GAC’s enthusiastic students and faculty.
Her words — and her accomplishments — left a powerful impression on the crowd, reminding everyone of the heights that can be achieved with dedication and faith.
For more about GACS, visit greateratlantachristian.org.
Wesleyan School is known for its faith-based academic excellence, but maybe you didn’t know that the school’s athletic achievements are just as impressive. This year alone, Wesleyan has amassed an astounding nine state championships.
“The Wesleyan School athletic program has been incredibly blessed to enjoy a significant amount of success during the 2023-2024 school year. Winning nine state championships is a credit to our student-athletes, coaches, and parents,” said Chris Cleveland, head of school and assistant coach for the varsity boys basketball team.
Nine state championship titles are the most Wesleyan has ever won in a single school year. But the school’s athletic department is focused on far more besides winning.
“While winning a state championship is a substantial accomplishment that is worthy of celebration, it is not the sole measure by which we measure the success of a season. It is our greatest desire and prayer that the lives of our students will be transformed due to the investment by our coaches and through the relationships they build with their teammates,” added Cleveland.
After the girls and boys lacrosse teams won their state titles earlier this year, Wesleyan now has a state championship in every sport they field.
“We are so proud of our student-athletes, coaches, and our entire athletics program. Regardless of the number of state championships in a given year, our goal is to develop young men and young women of character. When recognition like state titles accompanies that objective, it certainly is a lot of fun and a great honor for our entire community,” commented Lacy Gilbert, director of athletics.
Congratulations to all Wesleyan student-athletes, coaches and faculty for this incredible accomplishment.
List of team titles:
- Girls Softball
- Girls Cross Country
- Boys Swim & Dive
- Girls Swim & Dive
- Girls Lacrosse
- Boys Lacrosse
- Girls Tennis
- Girls Track & Field
- Boys Golf
List of individual titles:
- Weezie Moore – Girls Cross Country
- Abbey Suits – Dive
- Hattie Wasmuth – Swim: 200 Medley
- Max Perry – Swim: 50 Free
- Ryan Cowart, Jace Neeb, JJ Neeb and Max Perry – Swim: 200 Free Relay
- Ansley Chapman, MC Harrison, Vivian Hosier and Hattie Wasmuth – Swim: 200 free relay
- Ryan Cowart, JJ Neeb, Max Perry and Connor Worgo – Swim: 400 free relay
- Ansley Chapman, Lily Corbitt, Vivian Hosier and Hattie Wasmuth – Swim: 400 free relay
- Weezie Moore – Track & Field: 3,200 meters
- Kyra Brubaker, Ansley Voss, Eva Murphy and Julie Anne Bush – Track & Field: 4 x 800-meter relay
- Anne McSweeney – Track & Field: 800 meters
- Ben Vondrak – Track & Field: Wheelchair 800 meters and 200 meters
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