The Richmond Hill Recreation Association plans to take full advantage of the new soccer fields at the county’s brand new rec park. A whole slew of new Select programs are underway.
The RHRA is also, for the first time, conducting an athletic summer camp for ages 6-16. Teens ages 13-17 can also take advantage of the summer ‘Friday Teen Nights’.
South Bryan Recreation Director Kay Green said one of the goals of the Select Soccer expansion is to keep talented soccer players in Richmond Hill instead of them having to go to other areas, such as Savannah and Brunswick. The Select program is for "the more dedicated soccer player who wants a little more out of the sport. Rec soccer is good for everyone, but Select is a more advanced version."
Green said the Select expansion entails adding a 15U girls Select team to the roster that already includes Daryl Snider’s 15U boys Raiders team and Jessica Chipple’s 19U Comets team. It also includes the addition of Academy teams for boys and girls ages 9-12. Academy differs from rec in that it, like Select, is for those more serious about their future in the sport of soccer.
"Academy is more focused on player development as opposed to just having fun and winning games," Green said. "It will include curriculum and drills to develop various soccer skills."
RHRA is combining forces with Armstrong State Atlantic University for this summer’s Academy and Select programs. The partnership came about mostly from Select coach and new RHRA athletic director Jessica Chipple’s, who played college soccer for AASU, ties to the college. AASU coaches will participate in RHRA Select development while AASU players will be involved in the Academy program. Green said a variety of other trainers and coaches are in store for the programs as well.Green said the Select athletes should anticipate a good bit of travel, although within a four-hour radius.
Soccer tryouts are set for next Tuesday and Wednesday, June 9 and 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at DeVaul Henderson Park. Makeup tryouts will be June 22 at 6:30 at Henderson Park.
The RHRA Summer Camp Extravaganza will be Monday through Friday from June 8-26 and July 6-31. Cost is $85 per week, and extended hours are available as well.
The camp will include all the traditional sports as well as alternative sports like dodge ball, paint ball and kick ball.
‘Friday Teen Night’ is slated for the following days: June 12, June 26, July 17 and July 31. Cost is only $5 per teen, and it takes place at the rec park on Timber Trail. Teen Night is sports-oriented as well.
RHRA baseball and softball all-star action heats up through the summer as well. This includes the ‘Battle of the Hill’ tournament on June 12-14.
For information on all the RHRA summer programs, visit www.rhrasports.org or call 756-4626.
-Look for a story on Hendrix Park summer happenings in an upcoming issue.