News Release Header
For Immediate Release:
April 17, 2013
Media Contact:
Edith Torres
[email protected]
305-755-7862

Alan Georgeson

305-393-5230

Soccer 5 Kids Academy Mini Soccer Program Comes to Miami-Dade County Parks


Soccer 5 Academy Mini Soccer Program, also referred to as small sided soccer, makes its South Florida debut at three popular Miami-Dade County-owned parks - Tropical Park, located at 7900 SW 40 Street in Miami, Kendall Soccer Park, 8011 SW 127 Avenue, and Amelia Earhart Park, 401 East 65th Street in Hialeah, FL.

Headed by Soccer 5's Director of Coaching Development Alan Georgeson, who has over 15 years of experience in Europe in mini/small sided soccer, kids ages 3 - 12 will learn about the history of mini soccer, the basics of how to play, reasons why mini soccer is the preferred form of soccer play for kids, youth, and even adults, and will have the opportunity to play in 3 v 3 up to 7 v 7 matches to gain long-lasting experience in the sport. 

Until now, mini soccer in Parks was only available at Kendall Soccer Park.  With its recent grand opening of Soccer 5 Tropical Park and its third location at Amelia Earhart Park, mini/small sided soccer will now be available across the County, providing a greater opportunity for children and families to access the proper 4G turf game fields specifically designed for "5 v 5," "6 v 6," and "7 v 7" games, that until now were difficult to come by. 

With smaller fields on which to play, mini soccer is much easier for young children or children who have never played to learn the sport.  In addition, mini soccer is designed for competitive play against less number of players, providing more opportunity for pick-up games, as well as more opportunity to play the ball making mini soccer popular with older players too.

Soccer 5 Tropical Park is open Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. - midnight, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - midnight, providing Soccer 5 Academy programs, team programs, and summer, winter, and spring-break camps.  For more information or to register for the program, please visit www.miamisoccer5.com.

"I cannot thank Miami Dade Parks and our Soccer 5 coaching staff enough for making our dream of developing small sided soccer for kids in the Greater Miami area a reality," said Alan Georgeson, Soccer 5 Miami Director of Kids Soccer Development.  "It is an exciting time for us at Soccer 5 as we continue to expand our Kids Academy in South Florida built on the success of our public/private partnership with Miami Dade Parks and the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade," he added.

"The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is delighted to partner with The Soccer 5 vision to provide an outstanding experience for this community through soccer," said Allison Diego, Director of Business Development, Fundraising and Advocacy for Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department.  "We are happy to be a part of this important child sports development," she added.

About Miami Soccer 5 (www.miamisoccer5.com)
Soccer 5 USA is the evolution of 5v5 soccer in the USA, a game for all ages and skill levels for all who play soccer, talk soccer, and shop soccer. Its mission is to promote the game of soccer in every city around the USA via its platform of Soccer 5 USA operations, Soccer 5 live video and forums, the Soccer 5 Academy and a Soccer 5 shop powered by passion! For further information on Soccer 5 USA, contact Scott Georgeson, President, US Soccer 5, LLC, Tel: 1-888-575-2976.

The Soccer 5 Foundation benefits from the donation of up to 10% of Soccer 5's profits which are utilized to support the growth of soccer in Miami to promote and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle within the local community. Funds are distributed to create spaces to play, grants for coaching tuition and developmental scholarships, among other initiatives.

About the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land.  It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world.  Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.  For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.

About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's effort to further develop Miami-Dade County's world-class parks system for residents and visitors.  Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, please visit www.parksfoundationofmiami-dade.com.