No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission 2012-05-29 CorrespondenceAMMEM&ki• Ad� The Goals Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that strides to afford op- portunities to help our local youth create, develop and focus on positive life goals that include sports, health and fitness, educational, family and career goals in order to prevent at -risk be- havior and activities in the future. GOALS FOUNDATION 2012 OUR COMMITTMENT Kids who have goals and participate in well designed after-school and weekend sports programs are less likely to be overweight, suffer from chronic health conditions like asthma and diabetes and drop out of school. These programs and positive character traits being instilled in our children help them to make better decisions and they are more likely to reject drugs, alcohol, criminal and gang activity. M�� ivrt Our mission is to help create character, confidence, integrity, motivation, desire and belief in our young people by exposing them to the atmosphere and camaraderie of sports and fitness, regardless of lim- ited physical, mental or financial abilities so they may reach their life potential. We aim to work in collaboration with the entire community with our schools, cities and county, busi- nesses, parents, sports and other non-profit organizations. GOALS FOUNDATION 2012 TOP FOUR GOALS Promote the importance of physical activity: Our goal is to help motivate children to participate in 9a minutes of sports and fitness activities at least three days a week to ensure they receive the recommended exer- cise they need. The Goals Foundation believes that every young person deserves the chance to par- ticipate in youth sports and gain the many benefits that supervised athletic programs provide; mental and physical well-being, confidence and self esteem, ethical charac- ter and good sportsmanship are qualities that last a lifetime. Provide children and parents with guidance on nutrition and ways to stay active and healthy to help combat rising childhood obesity rates: Our goal is to promote the importance of healthy living. We strive to help kids to de- velop and foster personal goal setting and motivational habits with a special emphasis on fitness for life. Our staff delivers relevant educational activities where participants are taught the basics of nutrition, the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices and the importance of maintaining healthy eating and fitness habits. Provide facilities, programs, motivation and a positive environment: Our goal is to get our children to play together, make new friends and learn about the importance of teamwork and cooperation in a fun and safe environment. We work to guide at -risk children away from negative influences such as gangs and criminal be- havior during the pivotal 2pm-6pm after school hours. To engage children in academic activities with the goal of increasing educational attainment: Our goal is to assist children and young adults to create educational and career goals that will help them develop more long-term opportunities for themselves and their families by staying in school and focusing on life skills that will help them pursue and accomplish their dreams. - �7— GOALS FOUNDATION 20'1.2. i Mentorship: Each slte is staffed by caring coaches who serve as mentors that are invested in the successful development of each child, Mentors stress the importance of doing well in school and avoiding negative influences such as drugs, alcohol, and violence. We also encourage and in some programs, make it mandatory for our children and young adults to give back with big brother and coaching mentor If programs where they become the role model for other children. Family Engagement: The Goals Foundation Soccer strives to turn parents and family members into advocates who reinforce the program's teachings by applying them in their homes. We teach our youth and their parents the dangers and the results of unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical fitness, alcohol and drug abuse and criminal behavior. Family members are provided with information on nutrition, health, and public services that will aide them in their pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, Our emphasis is on making positive and healthy choices earlier in life... Healthy ctiviti aes begin on the field but live in every Portion Of our lives. 0 P GOALS FOUNDATION 2012 - - . - is BUILDINGA BETTER COMMUNITY First -Class Shorts Facility with a Mission Our goal is to build a better community by delivering inclusive, first-class sports, health and social facilities that inspire, encourage and empower our youth and their families through participation in sports, fitness, education and social activities. The Goals Foundation believes that we can make a difference in our community. Our outreach en- sures that all youth in our community are provided the opportunity to participate in quality leagues, programs and activities - regardless of social or economic background. With donations of money, equipment, field time and program participation, we aim to reach children who might otherwise never have the chance to take part in the "world's game" of soccer and other sports, fitness, educational and social activities. Get ready to be inspired! • Youth and young adults are welcome and equal regardless of race, social background or ability. Youth and young adults can learn in a safe and engaging environment that provides an alternative to high-risk behavior during the pivotal after school hours. Youth and young adults are met with enthusiasm on and oft the field while they learn skills that help prepare them for a lifetime of success. nb-. GOALS FOUNDATION 2012 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Soccer and other sports have had a long history of developing family structure, providing cultural sup- port and helping children maintain a healthy lifestyle. 17 1f Our financial assistance programs allow for many Young athletes to benefit from the support system sports provide, The Goals Foundation supports under -resourced V# 44P youth through our financial assistance programs for teams, leagues, individuals and other non-profit or- ganizations. We donate money, time and equipment, organize and rum programs and partner with local and ti national non-profit organizations to ensure opportuni- ties for every youth in our community. EQUIPMENT DONATIONS Goals FvundationIUS Soccer Foundation Passback Program Having the right gear is a big part of having a great soccer experience. Through the partner- ship between the Goals Foundation and the U.S. Soccer Foundation Passback Program, _ new and gently used soccer gear is collected by organizations, teams, clubs and individu- als and is redistributed locally to hello under rr served children in our community. The Goals Foundation and the U.S. Soccer 41 Foundation aims to outfit as many youth as we can with the equipment they need. We supply cleats, shin guards, socks, shorts and soccer balls to youth ages 4 to 18 years who are in need. This program will allow us to enrich lives through soccer and provide des- perately needed equipment to children in underserved communities. The Goals Foundation, located at Sports City, houses the majority of the shoes and equipment we collect and then distributes it to those in need. The Goals Foundation will pay to distribute everything once it arrives at Sports City. The Joe Beliuzzo Shoe Bank, also located at Sports City, distributes used, good condition, outdoor soccer cleats to children in need. GOALS FOUNDATION 2012 - GOALS FOUNDATION PARTNER TOPSoccer, the outreach program for soccer, is a program that �+ brings children and adults with cognitive and/or physical disabilities off the sidelines and into the game. Supported by US Youth Soccer, administered by local community members, TOPSoccer promotes personal development in a fun soccer environment designed to im- prove social skills and overall fitness. The TOPSoccer program is locally -based to support strong community relationships through the sport, while increasing the social, physical and soccer ability of the TOPSoccer player. TOPSoccer is differ- ent from typical soccer as it does not match players by age, but by their ability and skill, starting at 4 years of age and continuing throughout their lives. The unique design of our program allows players to achieve personal success though Buddies, who translate each session to the level and ability to their players, allowing them to succeed. At Providing children with joy! - - GOALS FOUNDATION 2012 Providing parents with hope! 0 a ■ ■ 0 01111 ►A, 1 f tV GOALS FOUNDATION 2012 MAY 2 3 2012 SAN RAFAEL SPORTS CENTER PLANNING White Paper —Hours of Operation This letter is in response to the proposed hours of operation for the new San Rafael Sports Center. We have thoroughly reviewed our business operation plan regarding this issue. The hours of operation directly affect our ability to make this facility work financially as well as to keep the costs reasonable and affordable for the citizens of San Rafael. We are very concerned that any reduced hours beyond the current proposal will either make the project too expensive to operate or will require us to raise the fees beyond what we feel is appropriate and affordable to the majority of athletes and families in Marin. In reality, what we sell in our business is time. We do not have a product. We have a service that is 100% time oriented and any loss of time is a direct loss of income that cannot be made up elsewhere. Every indoor soccer and sports facility in the Bay Area that we are aware of has operating hours that do not shut down until at least 1 1pm including Bladium in Alameda, Off the Wall in Santa Clara, Sports City in Santa Rosa/Cotati, Metro City in Sacramento, Silver Creek SportsPlex and many others.... Please note that we already agreed to modify our hours of operations to accommodate some neighbor concerns. Our current proposed hours of operation are as follows: Indoor Facility Monday -Thursday 9am — 11 pm Friday - Saturday, Sam — 12am Sunday- Sam —11pin Outdoor Fields - l Opm We made these modifications to address the main concern of hours during the majority of weekday and workday nights. We eliminated two additional games on those nights for a net loss of 8 total games per week. Youth indoor games during the mid -week go from 4:3Opm-8:34pm, which does not give enough adult hours of play if hours are reduced to end before l 1pm. Also, youth outdoor would also run from 4:3Opm-7:3Opm, allowing adult play from only from 7:30-1Opm on the outdoor fields. The soccer operation is not economically sustainable as youth only facility. Eliminating the later night time playing hours would severely reduce our ability to operate the facility financially because adults would not be able to use this facility in the evening. This in effect would force to start the adults as early as possible (5pm-6pm) which are now youth time slots and reduce the overall availability of youth games we could provide the community. Summary: ➢ The facility must also have enough field inventory to survive. This means we have to be able to operate mid -week from 4:3Opm - l 1pm indoors and from 4:30-1Opm outdoors, regardless of youth or adults players, However, youth players are limited to how late they can play so in order to not only to keep youth fees low but to survive as a business, we must have enough adults playing indoor and outdoor year round. ➢ The goal is to provide at least 3-4 hours of daily exclusive adult play time at the soccer facility: • Higher adult fees are required to offset lower youth fees • Soccer operation is not economically sustainable as youth only facility ➢ The facility needs an l 1pm mid -week and Friday/Saturday midnight close time in order to provide more hours of play for our youth as well as to have enough hours' weekly exclusive adult play. The adult play allows us to charge higher adult fees in order to offset lower youth fees. Our youth focus is on youth under -12 activities during daylight hours, teen activities after school from 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM and adult activities in evenings from 8:00 PM —11:00 PM (midnight Fri/Sat). ➢ Having adults play in the evenings both indoor and outdoor with the lights will allow us to reduce youth fees by 35%-40%. The business is not economically feasible without a balanced schedule of youth and adults playing both indoors and outdoors. SAN RAFAEL SPORTS CENTER. WHY THE NEED FOR SYNTHETIC GRASS AND LIGHTS? Utilizing natural grass fields makes no sense these days. Almost every new field project from cities and schools these days is done with synthetic grass for the following reasons: Our sports community has a big need for open playing fields. Because they suffer less downtime than grass fields, more players can use the fields in a typical week. More play time for kids and adults increases fitness, reduce childhood obesity and overall makes our community healthier and happier. This facility is a sports park. Parks are very important to the quality of life in Marin County and we are providing a legacy for future generations. 3. Soccer, lacrosse, rugby and other sports are now year round and both youth and adult teams need to train and play all year. Many of the leagues, youth tournaments and state cup competitions are now played in the winter and spring months when many of the grass fields are shut down or are unplayable. 4. The maintenance costs of natural grass are very expensive — up to $60,000 per field, per year and the fields must still be shut down for 4-6 months. Synthetic Grass remains playable year round, whereas grass gets overused and shut down in the winter and spring months from rain and mud, therefore natural grass fields do not serve the community, our business model or the goal of the project, which is to provide year round all weather fields. Synthetic grass also reduces the use of water, fertilizers and chemicals. Installing synthetic grass is an environmentally sound decision. Both youth and adults need lit fields to play on in the winter & spring time when it is dark before 5pm. 7. Youth indoor games during the mid -week go from 4:30pm-8:30pm which does not give enough adult hours of play. Also, youth outdoor would also run from 4:30pm- 7pm, giving adults from 7-1Opm on the outdoor fields. Adults pay approx 35%-40% more in fees than youth, which allows us to lower the youth fees. The business is not economically feasible without a balanced schedule of youth and adults playing both indoors and outdoors. 9. As a business, we must also have enough field inventory to survive. This means we have to be able to operate mid -week from 4:30pm - l 1pm indoors and from 4:30-1Opm outdoors, regardless of youth or adults players. However, youth players are seasonal and youth players are limited in the later evening hours so in order to not only to keep youth fees low but to survive as a business, we must have adults playing indoor and outdoor year round. The challenge with synthetic grass is that it is extremely expensive to install (up to $1 million per field). In order to afford it you have to have lights on the field. The soccer operation is not economically sustainable as youth only facility. Reducing the outdoor night time hours of play would also eliminate the synthetic turf because it isnot economically feasible to install synthetic turf without lights or enough lit hours of play. This would then eliminate our ability to operate the facility because adults would not be able to use this facility in the evening and it would go against the entire purpose of building the facility in the first place. The Reasons We Must Have Lighted Fields: • To bring enough revenue into the facility in order to have year round play for the community and the positive benefits that come from that as described above. • Winter is the prime rental season for synthetic grass fields, because most fields in the county are grass and are closed in the winter. However, in winter it gets dark before 5 pm, so in order to generate any significant rental revenue, the fields must be lit. • Synthetic grass & lights also allow for children to stay healthy and active and away from negative influences and exercise afterschool in the winter months. • To provide more hours of play for our youth as well as 3-4 hours of daily exclusive adult play. The adult play allows us to charge higher adult fees in order to off set lower youth fees. Having adult play in the evenings will allow us to reduce youth fees by 35%-40%. • We have chosen the most state-of-the-art environmentally friendly lighting system we could find on the market. It is the Green Generation Lighting system designed by Musco Lighting. It uses 50% less electricity and produces 50% less spill and glare than traditional fixtures. This superior new technology also enables us to make the poles shorter and still achieve adequate lighting. The average pole height is only 31.5 feet, which is half as tall as the light poles other city park and recreation or high school facilities, including the lights at McInnis Park right next door. SANT RAFAEL SPORTS CENTER To: Planning Commissioners Re: Responsible Provider Policy We are writing to you to provide the planning commissioners and city council members with information regarding the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at our proposed facility. A similar letter regarding this issue was sent to Rafi Boloyan in 2011. We also sent this letter to Supervisor Adams and Larry Meredith in response to their concern regarding this issue. On our web site, we have our "Responsible Provider Policies" for beer and wine sales hqp://www.letmarinpl4y.com/Responsib]eProviderPolicies.pdf Our facility will have a wide variety food and beverages and will offer something for everyone. Beer and wine will be served. We understand that the city and county has spent considerable time, effort and taxpayer dollars to address underage drinking in Marin, and we applaud this effort. We share the cities goals and want to do everything in our power to eliminate "problematic" access to alcohol at our proposed facility and we believe that we fully conform to --and in many areas far exceed --the City of San Rafael requirements regarding alcoholic sales. The attached addendum shows our very detailed, comprehensive policy that dovetails nicely with both the City of San Rafael's and County of Marin's policies and criteria for controlling alcohol problems and underage access. The County Mission is "...individuals, organizations and coalitions providing leadership and coordination to develop and maintain a comprehensive alcohol and other drug prevention system in Marin County." We feel our facility can act to provide this type of leadership to prevent alcohol, drug problems and teen access and still allow for adults to drink socially and responsibly. The two sides of this issue can co -exist together. Our facility and our staff of educators, coaches and trainers, and the thousands of families that will use the facility, is the perfect place to advertise awareness and prevention of this important issue. A family oriented facility is just that, a place where the entire family can enjoy themselves --adults and kids. We have proposed a cafe, not a bar. Many family and sports -oriented facilities offer beer and wine. These are generally, however, not places teenagers go to try and get alcohol. On the contrary, these are places where athletes and their family and friends go to participate and/or be around a healthy environment. When teens and young adults have fun, positive things to do in life such as playing sports, it reduces the chances of them participating in negative or illegal activities such as under aged or excessive drinking, smoking and drugs. Stress and boredom play a large role in teenage and young adolescent drinking, drug use and bad behavior, and this facility will help to reduce all of those negative traits. Ironically, the lack of sports and recreation facilities such as what we have proposed is a direct contributor to some of these problems. Our facility helps prevent teens from drinking and drugs, not the other way around. In reality, the people who use this facility are the least likely to have issues and problems with alcohol and this has proven true by 15 years of real experience dealing with these type of members and this specific issue. The County of Marin already allows alcoholic sales and consumption at "family sports and recreation and entertainment venues" including McInnis Park, (right next to youth soccer and softball fields, batting cages, driving range and mini -golf). In fact, at this county facility, anyone over 21 can order hard liquor to go and wall( around all of the inside and outside areas where children are present, without any supervision or restrictions. This is much more of a broad and loose alcohol policy than what we are proposing. Many other similar family venues in Marin, including Mulberry Pizza, the Smith Ranch Deli (both on Smith Ranch Road), Pinky's Pizza (across from San Rafael High School), Mt. Tam Racquet Club, Scott Valley Swim and Tennis Club, Tiburon Peninsula Club, Harbor Point and the Marin County Club; all serve alcohol in their sport clubs and several have alcohol service at the outdoor areas that are designed for youth use. There are hundreds of other public and private facilities, cafes, restaurants and businesses in Marin County that serve alcoholic beverages and where children and teenagers go with their families to recreate or socialize. Even Chuck E. Cheese and Disneyland serves beer and wine. The majority of indoor soccer and sports facilities in California and across the country also serve alcohol, including "Bladium" in Alameda, "Off the Wall" in Santa Clara, Silver Creek SportsPlex in San Jose, etc. It is also a 100+ year worldwide social tradition throughout many different cultures among adult soccer players to have a social drink together after a match, and it actually embodies good sportsmanship when both teams and the match officials can come together after a game to socialize together. Why are we confident that we this will not be an issue at our proposed facility? Because it is our responsibility to run a family-oriented sports, health and entertainment facility and any negative alcohol issues will only serve to severely hurt our image and our core business. It is also our moral belief that we need to provide a safe, fun, healthy environment for our members and their families and guests. Beer and wine is not our main business and so we won't compromise our fun, safe and secure leagues, programs and facility for a few beer sales. It will be availabe as a convenience for adult social gatherings and so we will run an extremely tight ship when it comes to this issue. It is also important to note that the current facilities in Sonoma County have run for 15+ years have an exemplarity record regarding this issue. As a matter of fact, they has been serving beer and wine to their members in Santa Rosa and Cotati for 12+ years now. They have had over 45,000 total members over those years including 6,900 current players (3,700 adults and 3,200 youth players) and have never had a single complaint related to alcohol from any parent or person, nor have they had any alcohol related facility issues that we are aware of. The city of San Rafael police department also checked our record in Santa Rosa and found it to be 100% clean with no facility incidents. It is actually an extraordinary record. Also, the city of San Rafael does not require restaurants and cafe's to get approval to serve alcohol as it is solely an ABC issue. We are not sure that this issue legally belongs anywhere in the merits hearing, although we are happy to address it head on if needed According to the most recent figures from the U.S. Department of Education, most children are having a difficult time meeting the very minimal standards for physical fitness. Only 25% of 5"' graders, 29% of seventh graders and 27% of ninth graders were able to pass these tests. Our schools are cutting back on PE classes, after-school fitness programs barely exist, many parks are unsafe for kids to go by themselves, so pick-up baseball or soccer games hardly exist any more; parents also now allow for a sedentary lifestyle of video games and TV. Childhood obesity is already at an alarming rate and is only getting worse. Children and adults need more exercise and better diets. This proposed sports facility addresses these very concerns of health and fitness for our young children, teenagers and adults and will be a positive influence for Marin. We hope that members of the commission as well as county commissioners will support this needed project. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, San Rafael Sports Center Group CC: San Rafael Planning Commissioners, City Council Board Members F—I 11 DI►1.1111-0131 Below is our 18 -point Responsible Provider Policy plan and facility policies we propose in order to provide the community with a responsible beverage service program and in order to minimize alcohol related problems and negative influences on our youth: 1. No facility advertising of alcohol or tobacco except normal internal menu advertising in the 2nd floor cafe serving area. Absolutely no pro -alcohol or tobacco marketing or promotions. Menu signs will be above 5' height. 2. Beer and wine sales will be contained to only the second floor cafe area and will not be allowed on the field levels or outside except for the occasional special event. This means that young children will not be exposed to any alcohol or advertising when they come to play at the facilities. There will also be a snack bar on the first floor so parents would be making a choice to bring their children into 2nd floor cafe area where food, beer and wine would be available to purchase. 90% of the facility grounds are off limits to alcohol beverage consumption. 100% to tobacco. 3. Establish a "21 and over" section on the second floor for adults only who might want to drink out of the way of our youth. 4. Comprehensive ABC education and training for all staff involved in selling beer and wine or policing such areas. Train all staff in early identification of potential problems. Strict policy regarding excessive drinking —patrons will not be served if they appear to be under the influence. Employees will be trained to deal with any potential problems and people will be immediately cut off from drinking if they look under the influence, get loud or unruly in any way. A no tolerance policy regarding any members or patron who drink before they play or violate any alcohol policies of the facility - lifetime ban if policy is violated. 6. The inside and outside of the facility will be monitored at all times. This is done in person and by video surveillance that monitors all facility areas seating area and the parking lot as well as in person security. 7. Check every single I.D. before selling. Make it almost impossible for anyone under the age of twenty-one years old to drink in and/or around this facility. Issue a lifetime facility ban for any adults who buy or attempt to purchase alcohol for a minor. 8. Limit patrons to one beer or glass of wine per order. 9. No alcohol allowed to be brought out from inside the facility. 10. Confiscate any I.D. that looks suspicious and call authorities. 11. Expensive beer and wine prices to discourage excess drinking. 12. Sponsor alcohol and drug prevention classes at our facility. 13. Allow free community use of our meeting rooms to any outside group that would like to have meeting or classes that address problematic alcohol and drug use, and establish classes at our facility for teenage drinking and drug abuse. 14. Encourage ABC and our local police to be part of our facility and welcome them to conduct random checks and evaluations of the facility, and have them assist us with our responsible beverage program. 15. Participate in weekend programs for teens. For example, play all high school coed indoor soccer leagues on Friday and Saturday evenings, thereby giving teenagers in Marin an alcohol, drug and tobacco -free alternative place to go on weekend nights. 16. The facility will have open spaces, good lighting, early closing times and staff security. 17. Internally evaluate and modify policies and produdures if needed, every three months. 18. Through our "Goals Foundation" we will to help educate children and young adults between the ages of 7-18 in order to prevent at -risk behavior and activities in the future. At risk activities include dropping out of school/lack of a good education, and substance/alcohol use, unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyle, depression and confrontations with the juvenile justice system, including crime, violence and gang activity. Kids who have goals and are involved and focused on competition are more likely to have a focus which makes it easier for them to stay away from the peer pressure of drugs, alcohol & violence. We also encourage our young adults to give back with big brother and coaching mentor programs where they become the role model for other kids and to speak at classes or events to other youth members about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. San Rafael Sports Center Fact Sheet Facility Usage: The San Rafael Sports Center is a publicly accessible, privately funded multi -sport recreational facility that will allow families in Marin County the opportunity to recreate year round on safe, all-weather fields and courts- all built without a dime of taxpayer funds. This facility will help to address many urgent issues and needs that our community faces and will be a community asset to the City of San Rafael and Marin County. This family facility will be open to the general public for training, leagues, field/court rentals and many other programs for both youth and adults. The center will be open for the entire family to recreate and socialize. Our motto is "Sports, Fitness & Fun for Everyone" and we are committed to providing an active, safe and social place for the entire family. Based on 15 -year operating history from our proposed operator, We anticipate 45% of the total facility use will be from San Rafael and Dixie youth soccer players, 25% from San Rafael adult residents and 30% from other Marin county youth and adult participants. Yearly registration fees are required only for indoor league play. There are no registration requirements to rent any of the indoor or outdoor fields, book a party, join a class, camp or clinic, play pick up soccer, use the "Kids Zone" inflatable area, use the Family Fun Center, book a school or group event or the come to the cafe. We also offer free field time and coaching for low income and mentally challenged children in the "TopSoccer" program through the non-profit "Goals Foundation" and as well as free meeting space time for the local community. The San Rafael Sports Center will provide the following Community Benefits: ➢ It's anticipated that over 25,000 different San Rafael and Marin families will utilize the positive benefits of this facility over the next 5 years. ➢ Help reduce obesity and medical problems/costs by creating up to 14,570 hours per year of healthy sports playing time for San Rafael and Marin children and adults. ➢ Increase San Rafael resident's safety by building local facilities. o Reduces San Rafael and Marin families travel by 1,066,152 miles per year* o Saves San Rafael and Marin families over 17,769 hours of traveling on the road* o Reduces global warming impact from cars CO2 ➢ Our city will benefit from local sales tax and new jobs, especially jobs for teenagers and young adults. ➢ Local restaurants and other businesses in the North San Rafael area will see an increase in business from all the families visiting the area, particularly on weekends. ➢ Our fields are the safest possible playing fields and will result in an overall reduction sports injuries vs. what is occurring on the current dangerous city/county fields. ➢ Our fields will help the environment by eliminating water usage as well as harmful fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. o Because they suffer less downtime than grass fields, more players can use the synthetic grass fields in a typical week. o This equates to more play time for both youth and adults and increases fitness, reduces childhood obesity and overall makes our community healthier and happier. ➢ This project will increase our community's quality of life creating a healthier community, physically and economically. o Will provide our community a healthy, fun, social and physical outlet for our kids and adults o Will help get our young adolescents off the street and into healthy programs o Will help reduce drug use and crime. o This project will greatly assist in providing more space in the community for our seniors to have recreational opportunities at no charge. The San Rafael Sports center has something for everyone to cheer about and enhance our community's quality of life. *Travel Calculations The indoor soccer facilities in Sonoma county currently has 464 soccer & lacrosse members that play from San Rafael and Marin County. On average, these players drive up to Santa Rosa lx per week traveling an average of 80 miles round trip = 464 trips per week/2 players per car = 232 trips x 80 miles = 18,560 miles per week x 24 weeks average per year = 445,440 miles per year. Driving to the new Marin Facility from the same San Rafael 4th street location is 9.75 miles round trip. If the same 464 members traveled lx per week x 24 weeks per year = 54,288 miles per year. Building the new San Rafael Sports Center will save 391,152 total miles per year, just from Sonoma County trips. San Rafael and Marin County soccer and lacrosse families currently travel all over the bay area to find availabe fields and facilities to play at. On average, 2,500 (1,250 after carpool) of these families travel 2x per month out of Marin County = 30,000 total yearly trips. They average 90 miles roundtrip = 2,700,000 miles per year. Building the new San Rafael Sports Center will save at least 25% of these trips, reducing our families travel by 675,000 trips. Combined, building the San Rafael Sports Center will save 1,066,152 miles per year and 17,769 total hours spent traveling on the road. The proposed operator has been in operation since 1996 in Santa Rosa and 2002 in their Cotati facility. They operate a professional, first class facility for our community and will offer the following for the San Rafael facility: 1. Youth and adult indoor soccer leagues. 2. Indoor and outdoor field rentals for soccer, Lacrosse, rugby, flag football. 3. Lil Kickers nationally renowned child and player development programs (2-9 yrs) 4. Drop in pick up play. 5. Birthday and team parties. 6. Kids Zone inflatable area. 7. Family Fun Center game area 8. Mom play cafe 9. Toddler learning center. 10. Community and team meeting rooms. 11. Community fundraising events (sports leagues, Red Cross, schools, non-profit organizations, Special Olympics, etc) 12. The Goals Foundation, a Non-profit 5013c entity that provides money, field space, programs and mentoring for "at -risk" and low income children as well as physically and mentally challenged children. 0 Total overall members since 1996 = 45,000+ • Total current members = 7,350 • Total youth members = 58% • Total adult members = 42% Note: Since 1996, there has not been a single complaint to the city of Santa Rosa or the county of Sonoma from any neighbors regarding either of the Sports City facilities. Not a single complain about noise, lights, traffic, alcohol, etc. In fact, the City of San Rafael police department contacted the city of Santa Rosa and verified that there have been zero complaints. Sports City have been great neighbors and community members. 2 O r flabn i � 'C,�y �-=� •"m° `-� "�, '" �° � � o a °�'� c�c�8 C v� -0Q � � °t3 �'n�^ fl; CID � c� �ay> cd n a> a> ng hp c® � •r� ca � as •�-a U E. Qi U a~i ai �a 8 "C9 ,'� da cv oa as r ba U co �°J't�rn®�.taUQ�®e.®� .0 ®�Uaa,r,AmU e m 'v J c O o o 0- .0 Cd to qq� pllp.��nn InnS�I e� �r �7 Q9 P, 0 � o � ca a' r: ce as cn cv MOM as ars a`' h o fA N �� tV P1) b ® EW l� •a. 68 O om O $d -u E i®!>6 O�4i `®ALL C� �`® ti� `� W.. 9iy:®� ®m of CV 1661 Edi gem m zw�9; Ir= A. ® ad ® m V W �O Fie d) •I Pd1 •"• � & ❑ d) }y° a� —72 ID °' O ® •� C_..e"i 0 mow-. '� aj'. 0 4. C� w V 'UM 03 a .Sp is .@a� lio m ® O 0 (D-0 W ham. O r W ot°i eeAa p O b1D '',� sY'C.'� d m �w'w'�'p a) a.'�taVw••-+ta, � 64 ow o E+ •v v E" 0 Wag w as q r�l. V ®Qi -, o V V of ~ de�� 0®°> , 00 C A.0 � p' 0 Col^04 .G-�0 �wai"CboU O.Cp a�.. Ga °ti "' 3 bo o p m am d +� .~ .r~ ro .� •' ° u, .' ba•fs 14 03 A as "" w w U, > a 7 a w� ®�.®. ®�.� m+' �0 WV °� s�' m � aUgc�4� 04'.. m y x V �' I.i p .te 'r� • '0 °^5° �' u O a�'� °q a•A"a '•1 N co '' °' O - s O 9 a.' •D° ® .:9 Z'OsVi• .H as s. 0 e°^0.0 w �•� �l.aa g:6g V lu °S ®° ti 03 C3 m a3 m m.� �"^'�" ate. >,Q _� .c ba O atm. -O O,�aaa9w�3��'.�v ci '„aVte4i�-s0 CO O •C 0 m a'�a.•�o6v�W.�®�a'q"•� maayC�as q cOr1a7 ' a`8 ca `bh mJ^llg•°® ® w w P w"w u�-Q --Z " �>,Vn C °' bom 9a wvao � w a �0^.Fl—W"01,~y Q) .Q a•,�alw w ozd��p®V cu i�e � `to mv®0�@ 0O���a�io��°Ua,v al as 'D X > .0 d 0 s � � � °� ' DB -W cs V rum �°''�® bD�'O iaa U•�R'o tr 0 y" w.�~"f!1 01 '. .C2.sj O U �f`a as y�'+ rVm. �r O -oboes + 0ca 'Cu 9: v0) Go p °' ® dv,,-a��.p, o �i"°.�ab�os� ow�� oG cq.�+ !~.O,�wV 0.a &.. —®.Wu �--4, � has ai i ,�s,0a.aO.r,D sof ®"Cl.� . V wa {V{�.e O � uVi � c� �a � �>' y� O ami' =:+tea vt..uO'S ® v ®'pp V� Lam.. � m 4) 9Vi US O s,a O p dD �9 Dico .0 .9 m W ry "" p_N U .,, dr py w � �' a•a „y d 02 4z M 0. 0 °� O.n G"a ®h9 O ,ga "ty ®"Y� .--. "� a� A 6C ao ...� y &° btu ® .'"a. 0 cU a°.x da O'� ®� rn as +' O oas ®+a c� .".� '".7 m O ai aY°"i wan .0 3 .�'L5 ca cd.— CS, t2. � ® a.S BA a) .•*e U "€1 ..0 (y;• ®^ ya'� .SC..54 i:.� .� "V, CD O �' L.+^ w� ad ? ••^ .3 � rn [w � pcafl>Ow� �Sbas r•w V mCnUV•^ O+a�O.>�+a> Va.°»097 �°s,a��C� v®s °� OEj U��, .� . w.. N O V 0 p,... °W ea 6a a.. -w'�m" �'CS ,�t-", aRp.. O�'a.�� .:: •'�•-�On�'� a) n+ -' .0 '.G.° .ci -�m.,=® ®'�•°"' �Fa� ®�U �>aa't5 �.te�Oa,. �Om .�ObxUe s'D"°i)) •.�U ��a "AOd "0 O Z'd0 °fiu®T 03m 00'a AV�W O- a V sO, a>,t v42) 4,O �"� A9 �e+ta,Qj0 ®ni us o �y 4. ° m r. x 0j ®p®®yO � Q 41 O 0�D6>) cl �cva3w'� P4�®as O J.a °Li O cu w W .� b N °'" O as 'O a..* -4 n.. `� 8C °'�1 "O V Q .•�.a' n. � 4 °' �+ V c0 O as a> ..•. O .:G w ,e•. 88 ao m v �' O1 ca "" ai .bp Sa w w V .s.cif 'a c� a o0 0.~0 �•�r yy���°�� b,�� �s+o 0 :�O.4L.0 � b�p>`O'tGmr,p~�a,"yC jaotRamyi ® 0 0 a2 �v�oaao50R4 y��.00 �Op JC n �"�0— (D ' UOm w ®� a�a V�'0 03P6 w�.+cu a .-.0 c� UO 0.0 -0-lz0 rn 0®���r1acc p m^�roa.�o®a,a � 034Coov >—Q cd �O .�0�w R 0. 0 - " A cc s6s n VA0 c* �� "�y �C IV O w Vra.N V^ eio0 y �a. „5�'°" a' V� V ®�'V°O aaz V a�w: *' coWaa �• ��o 5— — oar' dm�wZzwv�v � � 64 �'~ p0 c ®.'dIP ,-��bep,�QQ^^�'wQL�t�®' �•�O„ 00p =� cuo v ® o m w� It a,) "' a �� ®per �•� S. v obi C'>y .r�r�' °' b•�4' ° O —:J�� .W 4v .L" iZa G`, V Sr' � w .. �✓ a. C, °Z3 C/i.� "� �a .$ Qy V �. � � � �' � '� � u. � ¢' y� a .ra d.� V4.4 e-• O. w a w C) 0 CD 0 TW?ress. Democrat T Santa Rosa, California, Saturday, February 1, 1997 A PLACE f PLAY. 4m,r . u .. ter,: Rx �1` . .41 A. r3 �, .. .� , •.. It'll, i ' '' `'I '- CHAR SURM "FIESS REMRGr . ,Members of under -.f0 teams the Blitz, left, and the Terminatorsplay at Spoits City an PinerRoad. The stadlam, Sonaula.c'ounty's :rirst indoor facility, opened -its December. There are_teatns forpiayers of alf,ages acid skill levels. i it f kt'. By BRUCE MEADOWS 9 �y standards. . StaffWriter - Couhty s, irst indoor �aci1it v/ � � "People walk in here and can't believe f you really let your imagination " '- J d how big it is," he said, explaining that wander, it looks a little like a brilliant' walk in the door," said 28 -year-old December, a little earlier than Rowley • indoor leagues in this area play on emerald surrounded bysea of white Andred Rowley, a successful soccer would have preferred. basketball gym floors. "And once they clouds, player/coach and one of three investors "There was and still is work to be. ,: actually get out on the field, you should So green, so flat ..: so dry. in Sports City, located at 921 Piner Rd. in : done," Rowley said. "But it was time for ; ; '.,see the look on their faces:' But there is no denying that this is" northwest Santa Rosa. indoor leagues to start, and with the Besides having a state-of-the-art hideed a soccer field, the first indoor Sports City, which includes a 175 -foot weather we had, we wanted to get it synthetic surface with a forgiving soccer facility of its kind in Sonoma by 76 -foot indoor soccer, field as well as open. " one-quarter inch pad beneath it the County, two volleyball courts on a Sportcourt The response, he said, has been facility is also completely surrounded by "It really blows people away when they surface, opened for business in amazing, even by Rowley's optimistic ' See Soccer, Page C4 Juventus' Luke ®berkirch tries to.stop an unidentified Croatian National indoor Player in an exhibition game earlier this week at Sports City won by the Croatian team, 8-3. Continuedfrom Page Cz a curved white wall, similar to what you would find at a Major Indoor Soccer League arena. A small pro shop will be opera- tional within a week. There is also a team/birthday room and snack bar. Down the road is a possible second deck so bleachers can be installed. Presently, there is not much room fox spectators. And way down the line, said Rowley, is the possible addition of some kind of adult cafe, although that's on the back burner for now. One apparent shortcoming at Sports City, as a lack of shower facilities, a problem that probably won't be solved at the present site. But for anybody who has searched in vain during wet weather for a place -- any place — to practice a team for State or Association Cup play or winteii tournaments, the field is the thing, a place to get a ball on your foot, a chance to work on moves, defense or set plays ... soccer. not the only name iY. t By BRUCE MEADOWS Staff Writer It's called Sports City, not Soccer City, for one very good reason: soccer is not the only language spoken at the new Piner Road indoor sports facili- ty. Besides the large artificial turf soccer field, there are also two regulation volleyball courts with a Sportcourt surface. Dave Martinez, a volleyball player for 20 years and a coach for the Empire Volleyball Club, is managing the volleyball pro- gram at Sports City. The volleyball courts just opened this past week, and will be available for drop-in play until leagues. startup Feb. 3. , "We've had a good response," said''-' Martinez. "Volleyball teams are constantly having to share facilities with basketball and other programs. Trying to find adequate practice sites is, tough." Leagues will run Monday through Friday nights, with openings for five leagues, in- cluding men, women and coed. Besides adult leagues, Marti- nez will also stage youth clinics; put�on by the Empire Club, and try to create recreational pro - .grams for kids -- including boys. "Boys' volleyball is big in so., many other areas," said Marti- nez. "I'd like to see something;'. established here for boys." Clinics will be available fore youngsters starting this week, Monday through Friday. There will be two sessions -- '4-5 p.m.. . and 5.6 p.m. Cost is $30 for five; one-hour sessions or $6.50 for a;; single session. s. For information, call Marti- nez at 526-2884. SPORTSICITY INDOOR SOCCER ARENA . ByAbelMartine2 IJ cor t5pondenl SANTA ROSA —It's 8:30 on a Thursday evening — a time when most adults are getting ready for bed — and a group of soccer junklesknown as the Marin Blockheads are getting set to begin theirweekly ritu- al of indoor soccer. Hereat Sports City, a two-year-old indoor soccer facility, 40 -year-old Marin resident and team cap- tain Rob Neville leads his troop of Blockheads into battle in the over -30 men's division. " Phe love of playingbringsus here — and it'a good for fitness," said Neville, who makes the 45 -minute drive with his 10 teammates once a week. The facility consists of two indoor arenas — one larger than the other — but both smaller in dimen- sion than a standard soccer field. The playing arena is similar to a hockey rink in that it's surrounded by a combination of plywood and Plexiglas. But rather than ice, the surface is field turf and the goals are built into the walls. With a flat surface and a small amount of space, the indoor game requires the outdoor player to think and play at a faster pace. "It's a much faster and much more physical game than outdoor," said Tommy Kennedy, 44, another Blockhead. At Sports City, the afternoon and weekend time slots are reserved for youth players. That means the older players don't get to take to the field until be- tween 7 and 11 ll and sometimes even later. For many it begs an obvious question: why do it? "For the stupidity and passion for the game," an- swered Blockhead John Brooks. "You have to have Uphutovjdf vandsol FOR KICKS ('fop photo) Rob Neville of the Marin Block- heads uses the boards to keep his balance while fighting off a defender. (Above) Ralph Montes of Novato sits In the penalty box after being called for tripping. some screw missing in your head to come play up here at midnight," Sports City, which opened in December of 1996, has been a big success in its first two years. It has had more than 12,000 registered participants and cur- rently has more than 4,000 players for the winter ses- sion. "The facility ie doing great," said Andrew Rowley,. one of Sports City's creators. "It's gotten more use than we expected." Due to its popularity, plans are already in the works to open anew facility in Santa Rosa in Decem- ber. The new venue, Sports World, will be for more than just indoor soccer, though, Rowley said. It will also include a fitness center, rock climbing roon,4 bat- ting cages and possibly an indoor running track. It willeven serve as a dayemcenter. "It will be a family-oriented place,"said Rowley,. While Sports City does draw the occasional diehard, most of its leagues have rosters made up of beginning recreational players. 'There are .27 women's teams in the over -30 section alone. Currently there are 10 teams from N4arin. Whether they're 30 -year-old men playing for the passion of the game or 5 year olds getting their feet wet in the pee -wee division, everyone seems to make the 45 -minute trek with little complaint. 'Me facility is better than anything you can get down here," said Mark Goodman, who coaches the girls tinder=13 Novato Thunder. "It would be great to have one in Marin, but the question would be where theycouldputiV The continued absence of an indoor soccer facility in Marin has not been for lack of trying. Rowley said he's explored the possibility for six years, but hasn't been able to find the building space at an affordable price. Initially, he and his partners were eyeing Marin as the spotto build Sports City. "We have been meeting with city officials, but it is difficult," said Rowley, who added they continue to discuss future possibilities for Marin. Meanwhile, local soccer teams will continue to deal with poor field conditions during the winter, and the soccer junkies will continue to make the commute north. A facility would be successful in Marin," said Goodman. And it would save us an hour and a half roundtrip." 'We're not really surprised be-. cause there"are - so many. kids - ley on the sidelines.,__. But,.Rowley• ls::always:,.on, thew,, playing soccer in this area on gym He tried his luck In England* 'lookout for other sites, wifiere he,-,I.. floors, and this surface Is far where he played for -;Sheffield might build his dream complex. :.,- superior," said Rowley. "But the. Wednesday's second-divisioh, "We talk about building a 75,000, adult program is taking off, too, team, but his physical problems, square400t, double-deck facility,', and we think it's going to grow. "We're continued. ' with a full restaurant weight-.4 100 percent full for "My knee didn't hold up," said room, maybe open 24 hours.," said leagues ... 140 teams, with all Rowley, "I was spending too much' Rowley. "Who knows?" ages and abilities," time on the training table." Teams belonging to Sports City,,,. Rowley emphasized that recre- He ended up at Sonoma State, Ic-agues get a break on field rental., ation players should not feel left where he got a degree In business A one-hour group or team drop-in > - . out, that the facility is there to In 1992. . is $70 for a league team, $85 for, serve not only select and upper. Rowley has enjoyed success as a i members renting the field for a,,. house teams. , youth coach, handling a Marin non-registered team and $100 per,,-.. "They should know that they can County team -•® the Dixie Stom- I -hour for non-members and non._. sign up as Individuals and be put pers — for-nine years, including . registered teams. on house teams in our leagues," an Under-16 state title. Cost of individual drop-in play­.. said Rowley. "The select teams Monday through Friday, noon-2.,' and B teams are usually taken P.M., Is V for members, $8 non. care of, but we want any kid who members' Hewlett-Packard rents. wants to play to have that chance." the drop-In slot Thursdays. Rowley reaUes that youth team Ultj'Mate goal Annual memberships are $10: demands will subside when the for youth (17 and under) and $20- sun comes out for an extended here-, an for adults. period of time. But he figures byThere that time, kids lndoor/outc�,00r are leagues for just about..,. when head out- everyone, Including mothers and..,, doors, he'll have built a strong program of adult leagues. (lighted' facilil", -,y U) fathers who want to gain a better.., understanding that of strange.;*, And from what he's heard so far, sport their kid enjoys so much. - soccer players aren't the only run on a club Leagues are available for out;- people showing aninterest.- standing players, and for those ;:• Rowley has talked to represen- conn t, who simply want to learn the-, tatives for lacrosse, flag football, ANVREVVrMx,j.;.1_na-' game, regardless of age, fast-pitch softball, bocce ball.and S r13 175CITY I N v, F, C- 7 There is a Little bickers pro-,,,, even an Indoor putting contest gram, an eight-week session for:,, about use of the turf. The volley- age groups 4.5, 6-7 and 8-9 that ball area has been eyed by basket- Je recently spent two years in meet once a week for eight weeks... ball, indoor tennis, karate and Hawaii coaching the Tsunami of The next session starts Feb. 14. boxing and jazzercize groups. the United Systems of Indepen- Birthday and team parties range,.; Facility use Is, apparently,'only dent Soccer Leagues, winning the from $1004220, and include an.: as limited as the Imagination of Western Division title two years hour of field time — for any:; the community It serves. ago before losing to a Tony Meola- regular activity, not necessarily - Rowley was an outstanding prep led New York team Inthe national soccer — and an hour in the party soccer player at Terra Linda in finals, room. Cost varies based on what Is: Marin County and climbed the During a trip to the indoor provided in terms of cake, drinks,,' ladder of state and regional Olym- -nationals With his youth team, decorations T-shirts, etc. pic Development teams. He Rowley was awed by an in- Basic rules have to be followed; played a year at San Diego — Eric door/outdoor facility In Atlanta. at Sports City, Including no foul or, Wynalda was on the team ® but a "They had a full-size Indoor field abusive language, no outside food series of knee Injuries kept Row- like ours, but also a dozen outdoor or drinks in the facility, and those fields, an incredible place," said using the soccer facility must use Rowley, adding that much of the balls provided by Sports City, Sports City_-, =•'. staffing was done by players who Soccer rules are enforced with were part of the club. two-minute penalties for lnfrac.,:. "That's my ultimate goal here: tions like boarding (knocking an an Indoor/outdoor (lighted) facill- opponent Into the boards), spitting; e`Qa: Butte Dr;. jc8nleziri�a ty run on a club concept" indecency toward officials or op- Quo Se11111 r Sports City occupies a 25,000- ,' ponents, retaliation or unsportsi square-foot warehouse — Rowley manlike conduct. said rent Is about 35 cents a square. No specific soccer shoes are. foot — and it took him two years to required, but footwear must be,., i Woo find the clear-span (no poles) site, flat-soled with no molded cleats or V p IV which formerly housed a lumber black soled shoes. La A s U and -'ry-,w0l operaflon, 'Rowley In the case of Sports City, one - V. and his partners — look ,is worth a thousand words. .V. Wally Lordeauki, a Marin develop. Rowley wants players, coaches* er and soccer coach; and Rick parents — anyone — to check it Herbert, Who co-owns Sonoma 'out 'and judge for themselves. A tr'r,j� Marina along with Lordeaux ® "We have a lot of big plans, bud have a three-year lease with 10 we're also realistic," he said. "A lot one-year options, so they may stay- of what we do -In the future. put a while. After all, the field obviously depends on what hAn- pressdemomtF This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only. You can order presentation -ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers _ or use the "Reprints" tool that appears above any article. Urt:er a ror-o m w, ;- nay. Printed on page i Soccer gives students a goal Teams give players in SR elementary school league a lesson in sports, reading By °OBERTDICITALE THEPRESSDEMOCRAT Published: Friday, May? 2004 at3:00 a.m. Santa Rosa -area elementary schools are using organized soccer to stimulate students in their schooling and to provide the fun and discipline of team sports. Nine schools in the city's core and west side are working with the city and community groups to organize school soccer teams. CRISTA JEREMIASON/ThePress Democrat Meadow View School students Violeta Tamayo, The nine schools all have large concentrations S, left and Monica Nanien, lo, read abook about soccer. Photos by CRISTA of economically disadvantaged children. JEREMIASON / The Press Democrat Monroe Community groups have donated about Elementary teacher Charlie Seymour coaches $2o,000 to provide what for many students is his players during halftime of a game at Sports City in Santa Rosa. Monroe is one of nine their first chance to play an organized team schools in the league. sport. "I would like these kids to have access to all the enrichment that a lot of other kids do have access to," said Brook Hill Principal IZaren Arter, who worked with the city to start a program last year for five Santa Rosa district schools. On Tuesday at Sports City's indoor soccer arena on Piner Road, teams combining boys and girls battled for the ball as scores of parents and siblings cheered each goal. Principals attended and called encouragement to their students. Burbank School Principal Marty Cassity said the soccer program has been a good motivator for the participating students. Students know "you've got to do your homework" in order to play, he said. Those who don't keep up academically or exhibit poor behavior in school lose the privilege of playing. Around the city more than 300 students are taking part in the school teams. For many it is their first time in organized sports. The program's leaders hope it will spark some to eventually advance to the city's youth leagues, as well as to high school teams. Indoor soccer is played by teams from five Santa Rosa district schools: Brook Hill, Burbank, Lehman, Lincoln and Monroe. Four other schools, Bellevue, Meadow View, Roseland and Sheppard, will play their first games of the spring Tuesday at Southwest Community Park. Many of the Santa Rosa district coaches are teachers who volunteer their time. The coaches in the southwest are provided through a contract with the soccer organization Atletico Santa Rosa. The southwest program began three years ago after City Council members challenged community groups to help provide worthwhile activities for the area's students. The Santa Rosa district program started a year later when city staff members went to Arter, the Brook Hill principal, and asked what kinds of programs would benefit her students. In both parts of town, organized soccer was seen as an important program. A number of community groups and businesses responded with donations. This year the southwest program added a new dimension - linking soccer with literacy. Exchange Bank donated $5,000 to purchase books specifically about soccer Some books tell of the game and its history. Others provide fictional stories for readers of many abilities. At Meadow View School, the students practice or play soccer games two days a week then read and write about soccer two days a week. The idea, said reading teacher Marci Murphy, is to take something that interests the children and connect it to the essential skill of reading. "They're all here because they want to be here and they want to learn more about soccer," she said. Third -grader Jennifer Yacuta, who Thursday was reading "Arthur and the Best Coach Ever," said by practicing on the field the students are getting better at soccer. And as a result of their time with the soccer books, she said, "we get better with reading." At Monroe School, team members said they had learned about sportsmanship and about the hard work and commitment that comes from playing on a team. "The strict discipline makes you a better student," said sixth -grader Rodrigo Solorio. Monroe student Timmy Ireland said, "Being on the team is a really good privilege because you get to represent your school." Monroe coach and first -grade teacher Charlie Seymour said he knows his students love being on the team. The day after each competition, he said, "they flock to my room to talk about the game and how it went." This story appeared in print on page x Copyright © 2012 PressDemocrat.com — All rights reserved. Restricted use only. pressdemocrati This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only. You can order presentation -ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers here or use the "Reprints" tool that appears above any article. Printed on page t Soccer gives students a goal Teams give players in SR elementary school league a lesson in sports, reading By ROBERTDIGITALE THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Published: Friday, May 7 2004 a0:00 O.M. Santa Rosa -area elementary schools are using organized soccer to stimulate students in their schooling and to provide the fun and discipline of team sports. Nine schools in the city's core and west side are working with the city and community groups to organize school soccer teams. The nine schools all have large concentrations of economically disadvantaged children. Community groups have donated about $20,000 to provide what for many students is their first chance to play an organized team sport CRISTA JEREMIASONIT he Press Democrat Meadow View School students Violeta Tamayo, 8, left and Monica Nanien,lo, read a book about soccer. Photos by CRISTA JEREMIASON / The Press Democrat Monroe Elementary teacher Charlie Seymour coaches his players during halftime of a game at Sports City in Santa Rosa. Monroe is one of nine schools in the league. "I would like these kids to have access to all the enrichment that a lot of other kids do have access to," said Brook Hill Principal Karen Arter, who worked with the city to start a program last year for five Santa Rosa district schools. On Tuesday at Sports City's indoor soccer arena on Piner Road, teams combining boys and girls battled for the ball as scores of parents and siblings cheered each goal. Principals attended and called encouragement to their students. Burbank School Principal Marty Cassity said the soccer program has been a good motivator for the participating students. Students know "you've got to do your homework" in order to play, he said. Those who don't keep up academically or exhibit poor behavior in school lose the privilege of playing. Around the city more than 300 students are taking part in the school teams. For many it is their first time in organized sports. The programs leaders hope it will spark some to eventually advance to the city's youth Ieagues, as well as to high school teams. Indoor soccer is played by teams from five Santa Rosa district schools: Brook Hill, Burbank, Lehman, Lincoln and Monroe. Four other schools, Bellevue, Meadow View, Roseland and Sheppard, will play their first games of the spring Tuesday at Southwest Community Park. Many of the Santa Rosa district coaches are teachers who volunteer their time. The coaches in the southwest are provided through a contract with the soccer organization Atletico Santa Rosa. The southwest program began three years ago after City Council members challenged community groups to help provide worthwhile activities for the area's students. The Santa Rosa district program started a year later when city staff members went to Arter, the Brook Hill principal, and asked what lands of programs would benefit her students. In both parts of town, organized soccer was seen as an important program. A number of community groups and businesses responded with donations. This year the southwest program added a new dimension - linking soccer with literacy. Exchange Bank donated $5,00o to purchase books specifically about soccer. Some books tell of the game and its history. Others provide fictional stories for readers of many abilities. At Meadow View School, the students practice or play soccer games two days a week, then read and write about soccer two days a week. The idea, said reading teacher Marci Murphy, is to take something that interests the children and connect it to the essential shill of reading. "They're all here because they want to be here and they want to learn more about soccer," she said. Third -grader Jennifer Yacuta, who Thursday was reading "Arthur and the Best Coach Ever," said by practicing on the field the students are getting better at soccer. And as a result of their time with the soccer books, she said, "we get better with reading." At Monroe School, team members said they had learned about sportsmanship and about the hard work and commitment that comes from playing on a team. "The strict discipline makes you a better student," said sixth -grader Rodrigo Solorio. Monroe student Timmy Ireland said, "Being on the team is a really good privilege because you get to represent your school." Monroe coach and first -grade teacher Charlie Seymour said he knows his students love being on the team. The day after each competition, he said, "they flock to my room to talk about the game and how it went." This story appeared in print on page i Copyright © 2012 PressDemocrat.com — All rights reserved. Restricted use only. 7 L - : r y,. �_ c " l^n{'s• i x (®®�;i�.Y"�Jg((t�!� {.:F-`.z.4•pp°m'+�t#/•?x'.'",S:'`rn+pl s F' W- IN +t t IN 'gilS, r$ ",� r'i7 fi. ,�'rir• �� r4� �..« . = v r .x,.., y�i�� °�' a t� }:.-`'` ua.�:: w.r 4 � .51 {�•'� _ � •� 'pi'_'+^�=fkL.�i7;..istS.,._ f:,: 4.' •',: ..1 ":y .s1 4" Y�r V�,• R_.� :{•;. .. _ ... Rosa,California, � !, r a 11A .4 E Own LOWEL L CHHN - . WINDSOR This is a story about soccer moms i at play. c You know what a soccer' mous is. She's that devoted creature who stands on the sideline cheering for her son or daughter. She is chauffeur to her kids, comforter when her child gets a scraped knee, and the bearer of the team snack, Now, she is more than that. Welcome to the land of WOW, which stands for Women of Windsor. WOW is a team of middle-aged women, ages 33.60, who grew tired of standing on the side and decided it was their turn to have fun. So they formed a soccer team which competes in a brand-new local all•womens' league, the other teams being the Red Hot Chili Kickers, the Wizard Women, the Cheetahs, and the Rincon Valley Soccer Moans. act; If you stand the 16 members of WOW on their heads, their shirts read "MOM." Fact- WOW's motto is "No Whining." And don't you wish the San Francisco Giants, Oakland A's, 49ers, Raiders 'and Warriors had the same motto? WOW got started six weeks ago when a woman from a Santa Rosa team, in need of members, asked Windsor soccer mom Sandee Gibson for recruits. Gibson said to herself, "Well, I'li just organize any own team.'! And that's eiactly what she did. She started phoning moans she had come to know through her kids' soccer teams, and the response was overwhelming. • "I just told them,'You'can make a fool of yourself with other people like you,, " Gibson said. That was an irresistible sales pitch, It also helped that Gibson started talking about the year-end party from the get -go. Moms like a party. At season's end, WOW will rent a fleet of limos and drive to San Francisco for a banquet. See- Cohn, Page C6, Y. H• .U. -i..qS •61 6a F Q) pw„ .A) A . F. Ctlw ra) Q) w fa oy0. `t-� '� •Cea.'".0. �.^%' �• °" 9sa i� �' �. .b . y°'• `� ,`'.' .O .A-.A•.c '. �'a.>,' O. o Z., �C ymaa mr°um.`°a 04 2P'o°^�aaod�' a'aoaoig�ya� �o60 apadi'� E ka; oho �d � 'a�`nN�zi vd.•wo .0X o ^ as a o ar � �.• w o •b va. a a. � ai o3 ° o $ m o o' corn ar s, a a'C o w cis 0 pnuGE"�" ��pHa'�"�^ggco B0,ya)o'oc aY d O!s d1 .�V v tii <p•' qp .o '°Md O d W iV d H d 00 vas p yoawddoadivo� cN 0 •'ww�3.mn y&d0 p Nso 0 o yacnp_ aOias.4a; �vvtO�� �aiaOGiwv 0oN H B o ra 0: a 0 v A e.a •� q T9 a) s�., CU .0 a� �y A" d o u$ d 'Q ��•. w '� aCi 00 01- q �•. .0 V V VV��� ^ '�G iY3 W p, ND' C a O �� d� «i W •[ _d O wC . N qq NN I. 0-0 d yg _W w cdC-aC: 9a bi co •0 Yppl i d .••1 Far N (Z•.Q a 6�-tpJw 144 C4� C77..2 ..'6 x,...2.a 2 ooraodR'C°��oQ1q�b� timed 3���0���,°'�,,,o ate' Axaao �9maEo���aM�iS .0 ;J 33 ;,, -:1 t� W ". t m oil LV. a d0 oQ N a) 84,4 •n p°�'T��°u°o' ?�� a�uo�d haw>�Q16."ao �avvH: owo >°, m�A°utiyagi 'mW Ll a cr -0 vvwvCr a ��°roaF"cyo Y a7•id•y.5•.a.�a'de0�..c.N'Oa,C�N`"'"va'1O Woavgdcn vNaro u'q o�O.ck12s h<d �q"o�oz wegia°wodwq�'�coaE •scam v° $.Fnaz' .s7Nd ��T'�CQ)RNC+. N aj•u ..a p o > F,oO.0 ANp 41 GO 'D d u '6 Q4�UY Cqd yca. 0ca'� O O Vq a1 NC1.0 Id G.b A 'd F0, _A � a� 7.a 4O.) _►8 Oq Ca pq N o1 d q w W W A f/3 baa 6� e'7 O q > .Ov N b V G •sp+ Go c 10,r�~, �c�'xvva, N C+ a v U VP.j O O N Ctl. O� a1 NA R a °uX �a'6ra o�oUogo �bunoW�vo •�q.Ca��V 6,,Xv N ^`� o caoB pV x C.. 3 6V.. N V VI 7� a RI H93 O q > .Ov N b V G •sp+ Go c 10,r�~, �c�'xvva, N C+ a v U VP.j O Go Back TITLE IX BENEFITS REACH BACKWARDS Published on March 17, 2002 0 2002- The Press Democrat BYLINE: Ann DuBay PAGE: G1 COLUMN: Ann DuBay Thirty years ago this spring I broke my arm playing baseball. It was a recess pick-up game at Mark West School. My team was in the field and when the batter hit the ball into center field I ran hard to cover second and collided with Mike Smith (who I had crush on, and who was running equally hard from first base). I held onto the ball, but when I stood up to prove it, my left arm dangled limply, my Mickey Mouse watch wedged between two broken bones. The novelty of the cast wore off quickly (Mike Smith signed it, but failed to write the mea culpa I thought I deserved or the love note I thought I inspired), and depression set in when I realized that I would spend the rest of baseball season on the sidelines. I didn't know it at the time, but 30 years ago when Congress passed Title IX of the Education Act of 1972, only 1 percent of school athletes were girls. For the most part, the only place you found girls on athletic fields was on the sidelines, in cheerleading uniforms. My three sisters and I, who learned to love and play sports through our father (who was the best coach we ever had), were a rarity. This is hard to imagine now in an era when girls make up more than 40 percent of all school athletes. Hard to imagine, until you go to a place like Sports City and talk to -- or watch -- women playing indoor soccer. On the field it's easy to distinguish the pre- and post -Title IX women: The dividing he seems to be around age 38, with women who are younger playing with well -honed skills and women who are older playing with, well, enthusiasm. Take for example 31 -year-old Danette Paskaly. She's a natural on the field: She moves the ball with ease, Licks with power and is always in exactly the right place to score a goal. Paskaly started playing soccer when she was in second or third grade and she joined a league team when she was in fifth grade. At Healdsburg High she was one of three girls on the boys team (Title IX required girls be given an opportunity to play on boys teams if girls teams didn't exist). The next year a girls team was created and Paskaly helped recruit friends onto the team. Paskaly admits that first team wasn't very good, but recalls with pride what she helped create: "I went back to play in an alumni game a couple of years ago, and now they (the Healdsburg Greyhounds) have more girls than they can handle." Paskaly's experience is in stark contrast to Brenda Hess, 40, who started playing soccer a year ago -- her first foray into competitive sports Hess can't remember there being girls teams at the Los Angeles middle or elementary schools she attended and she didn't even consider sports a possibility when attending high school in Sonoma County. But after watching and coaching her three children, Hess decided to try soccer herself. Now she plays for and coordinates a Sports City team. And she's become a soccer addict, playing at drop-in sessions whenever possible. "I love it," Hess says. "I never knew what it like to be part of a team, I just never had that growing up." Debbie Wilson, 46, also took up soccer after watching her kids play. Wilson grew up in Petaluma and went to Petaluma High School. She doesn't remember any girls sport teams. "Mostly girls did cheerleading," she recalls. But seeing her kids play made her "fall in love with the game." Eight years ago she started playing and now participates on both coed and women's teams. Says Hess, "Even though I started late, I look at Debbie and think, 'If I can be that good in a few years, I'll be happy Because of Title IX, the daughters of Hess and Wilson grew up assuming that sports are a part of a girl's life. And, by helping out their daughters' teams, both Hess and Wilson learned that there is no magic involved in athletics -- just a willingness to practice and to learn. From there, it was short leap to actually playing themselves. We all know the benefits that can occur when kids play sports: Self-esteem, confidence, a life-long commitment to health. But the biggest gain from Title IX may be, as Hess points out, the pleasure gained from being part of a team. For many women who are full-time moms or who work in pink -collar professions (I've met a large number of teachers and nurses who are surprisingly aggressive soccer players -- given the reputation of these tender- hearted professions), being part of a sports team is a unique and empowering experience. Where else in life are things black and white? Where else can you talk, gleefully, about kicking someone else's booty? Where else can you complete a task -- win or lose -- in a specific period of time? When Congress was considering Title IX in the spring of 1972 it was thinking about how the current and future generation of girls would benefit from athletic programs. Thirty years later, it's clear that women -- even those who were in school too late to gain directly from the program -- are the big winners. Ann DuBay is an editorial writer for The Press Democrat. E-mail her at adubay@pressdemocrat.com Keywords: OPED GENDER EQUITY