A request for help for the Pahokee FC soccer program resulted in an outpouring of support at the Jan. 25 Pahokee City Commission meeting.
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PAHOKEE -- A request for help for the Pahokee FC soccer program resulted in an outpouring of support at the Jan. 25 Pahokee City Commission meeting.
During the public comments period at the start of the meeting, a group of parents and volunteers took turns asking the commission for help in providing better facilities for the youth soccer teams.
The soccer teams currently play on the football field. They asked for a soccer field, as well as more practice space. The program currently has 12 teams, with 86 children participating. Many more families have expressed interest in signing up, but the program is unable to accommodate more children without more support from the city and county.
The 12 teams were filled in one day, said Pahokee FC coach Josie Hernandez. The teams practice at MLK Park, which does not have lights, she said. They play games on the football field.
“We need a soccer field, because this is not a soccer field,” Hernandez said.
Commissioner Juan Gonazlez said they have asked Tallahassee for a soccer stadium.
Mayor Keith Babb said they could put the idea on the agenda for a future meeting.
Vice Mayor Regina Bohlen said she was active in getting soccer facilities in another area before she moved to Pahokee. “Get your group together and let’s go to the county commission meeting and say we need the county’s help. We need the county to back this,” she said.
“All we have to do is pull together, stay together, follow the lead and get it done,” said Bohlen.
When Hernandez said they need team sponsors, at $500, per team to pay for jerseys, the city attorney, the city manager and audience members started getting out their checkbooks. Within a few minutes, nine of the 12 teams had sponsors.
“I have met with this group,” said City Manager Greg Thompson. “They need practice fields right now. We are trying to think outside the box to find places they can play.”
He said if they had enough fields, the program could easily attract 300 children this year.
“It’s so beautiful to see a meeting be conducted so sweet and so nice!” said Hernandez.
