SIU ready for State Cup challenge

Published Evening News & Tribune, February 26, 2008)

Southern Indiana United will have two teams in this year's State Cup tournament, the draw of which was made recently.

SIU's U15 Rampage boys get to play at the highest level after their impressive Indiana State Challenge Cup victory last year, while the U17 boys’ team was also accepted to play in the State Cup tournament.

Rampage, coached by Bruce Rigsby, have been drawn with Cutters (Bloomington), Westside United (Avon) and Fort Wayne Sport Club, with the winners going on to the semi-final.

Last year, Rampage lived up to its name, sweeping all opposition aside in the Challenge Cup tournament and bagging 20 goals in the process, and conceding just one.

The U17s, under the guidance of DJ Barksdale, have been drawn with Fort Wayne Fever Academy, Northern Indiana Futbol Academy and FC Pride, Indianapolis.

The 2008 Indiana State Cup preliminary round will be held from May16-18, with the semi-finals and finals being held on May 31 and June 1 for ages 13-17; and June 7-8, for the ages 18-19.


SIU Rampage, winners of the U14 Indiana Challenge Cup, move up into State Cup company this year.

Season kicks off in Elizabethtown

A number of the area's youth soccer players will be in action at the weekend when the club season kicks off for some in Elizabethtown.

The round robin tournament, organized by Atletico Flames, will feature teams from Mockingbird, Louisville Soccer Alliance, Thoroughbreds and Sawyer YSA. Teams from Indiana, Tennessee and Ohio will also participate.

The boys will play at the Michael Carroll Sports Complex this weekend (March 1 & 2), while the girls will be in action next week.

Each participating team in the tournament for players from U9 to U18 is guaranteed to play four without having to be concerned about the championship.

China coach teaches Net-Surfer girls

A former coach of China’s U21 national team will lead an academy for U6 to U9 girls in southern Indiana this spring.

Jiadong Dai - also known simply as "JD" - heads a program that's a great way for young players to improve their game in a fun atmosphere. JD has recently moved to the area after spending time coaching with a large soccer club in Starksville Mississippi.

The academy is open to girls from U6 to U9 and concentrates on dribbling, shooting, ball-control and team work.

"This is a great way for players that want to get better and possibly be identified by our coaching staff for our competitive teams," said Net-Surfers' director of coaching, Dave Smith.

Practice will take place just off Grantline Road in New Albany, starting in March and going on until May. Players U6-U8 will train Tuesdays and Thursday from 5:30-6:30,while Under 9s will practice from 6:30-8:00. Prices range from $75 to $250.

For more information, or to register online, visit: www.net-surfers.net.

Posh and Becks "prisoners" in their own home

Did you know that Posh and Becks are getting continually harassed at home?
Actually, this David and Victoria Beckham are not living in LA, but in west Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The couple changed their names by deed poll from Gerard and Elizabeth Donnelly to David and Victoria Beckham a few years ago in honor of their heroes. At front of the house, they have a plaque which proudly displays the name of their abode, Beckingham Palace.
However, they have been forced to board up the palace and install CCTV cameras in a desperate bid to keep vandals away. All the ground windows have been smashed and the couple are so worried about further attacks that they said they will not be removing the wooden boarding that is currently securing the house.
“We are like prisoners in our own home and the house is almost in darkness, but we can’t take the chance of removing the boards and getting the windows smashed again," Becks told The Belfast Telegraph.
The couple hit the headlines in 2003 when they changed their names to David and Victoria Beckham, becoming mini-celebrities in Northern Ireland.

The Manchester United fans don't believe they have been targeted because of their football preference or their well-documented love of the Beckhams: They say they're victims of a major anti-social behavior problem in the area.

Photo above: David and Victoria Beckham outside their west Belfast home - seriously!