Siblings Alex Ng, 12, and his younger sister Amanda, 7, spread goodwill and holiday cheer earlier this month by donating toys to students at Pleasant City Elementary School in West Palm Beach and visiting with residents of the Royal Manor Nursing Home in Royal Palm Beach.

Alex, a goalie with the Royal Palm Beach Strikers soccer program, made his fourth trip to Pleasant City Elementary on Dec. 18. He and friends Andre Ferreira, Kaylee Santiago and Christie Porter visited with students and dropped off toys. Andre also brought candy canes, which were handed out to the students.

Amanda and five soccer teammates visited Royal Manor Nursing Home on Dec. 12 and spent time with the residents. The girls also distributed hair brushes and stuffed animals and sang holiday songs.

Amanda, whose great-grandmother was a resident of Royal Manor, has been a regular visitor to the facility.

“Each time we visited, Amanda was able to bring a smile to the faces of the residents,” said her mom, Sandi. 

Congratulations to Lexi Barletta, Ryan Bazil, Kevin Byrne, and Asia Lee-Fatt who were named to the 96-97 Florida Youth Soccer Association Region A Olympic Development Program (ODP).  Lexi and Asia are members of the U13 Girls White team coached by Lu Barletta, and Ryan and Kevin are on Brendan Byrne’s U14 Boys squad.

ODP is designed to identify and develop prospects for the US National Teams.  85% of national team members have come through the ODP.  All four of these young athletes will participate in training sessions with other top players from around the state conducted by collegiate, state, regional, and national coaches.  They will then be evaluated for the state team, leading to further opportunities to train and play at even higher levels.  FYSA currently has 53 representatives on full or youth national teams.

This marks the second consecutive year our U13 girls teams have produced two ODP prospects.  Congratulations again to these talented players and thanks to the coaches and teammates who have helped them reach this level.  If you are interested in more information about our competitive program, please contact a travel coach or a board member.

At the end of the holiday "break", our competitive teams continue to have a great season!

The U14 Boys are 7-0-1 to sit near the top of the table in SFU, and the U16 Boys are 2-1-2 in the regular season.

In FLUGSA, the U13 Girls White and Black now each sit third in their respective divisions.

In PBSL, the U9 Boys are second and U11 Boys are third in their divisions.

The U13 Girls White, with some guest players from Black, made a strong showing against State League competition in the top division at the Orange Classic.

The U9, U16, and U19 Boys and the U9 and U13 Black Girls will be playing in the Wellington tournament on January 9 and 10.

The U19 Boys and U13 Girls White have been accepted into the prestigious Score at the Shore tournament in February.

The U13 Girls White, U14 Boys, U16 Boys, and U19 Boys are registered for the State Cup, which begins in March.

Please come out and support our Strikers!

Team Accomplishments:

U14 Boys - Seminole Boys Labor Day Tournament Champions

U19 Boys - South Florida United early season division runners-up

U9 Girls - Wellington Shootout Champions

U16 Boys - Wellington Shootout Champions

U19 Boys - Wellington Shootout Champions

U13 Girls White - ranked #23 in Florida (USA Rank)