• The Raiders edged the Giants 18-14 in the 11-13 age group. Victor Gheiler ran for two touchdowns, and Ben Burstein added an interception return for a touchdown. The Giants’ Lao Sequera and Rory Feinberg each scored on a run.
The Falcons beat the Dolphins 18-7. Noah Ogaza ran for a score, threw a touchdown pass to Maximo Norres and caught a scoring pass from Felipe Llanos. For the Dolphins, Alex Kane had a touchdown run and tossed a touchdown pass to Jake Eisenberg.
Friendship Circle Soccer program
The Friendship Circle Soccer Sports Circle program, a non-profit group in Miami, works with children and teens with special needs, pairing them with teenage volunteers who build friendships while enhancing social and recreational skills.
For the fifth consecutive year, Friendship Circle Soccer Sports Circle allows participants to practice their soccer skills and learn the rules of the game under the direction of Coach Jose.
Following soccer will be Friendship Circle Basketball Sports Circle and Baseball Sports Circle with Danny Berry.
Events, leagues, programs
Orange Bowl swimming
Collegiate swimmers and future Olympians will compete in the Orange Bowl Swim Classic on Jan. 3 at the Jacobs Aquatic Center, mile marker 99.6 oceanside in Key Largo.
Part of a month-long Orange Bowl training session held each year in the Keys, the classic hosts some of the nation’s finest competitors. The sprint-style meet features 20 fast-paced swimming events measured by a state-of-the-art timing system.
Of more than a dozen college teams scheduled to attend winter training, eight will compete in the swimming classic including George Mason University from Fairfax, Va., University of Michigan from Ann Arbor and Dartmouth College from Hanover, N.H.
Some notable 2012 Olympians have either trained at the Jacobs Aquatic Center swimming facility or participated in the Orange Bowl Swim Classic. They include top women’s swimming medalist Missy Franklin (four gold, one bronze), three-time swimming medalist Nathan Adrian and freestyle swimmers Kate Ziegler and George Bovell who represented Trinidad and Tobago at the London games.
“Key Largo is quickly becoming a much sought-after place for training,” said Dr. Jim Boilini, event chairman, who also serves on the board of directors of the Jacobs Aquatic Center. “Key Largo’s weather, a first-class training facility, the community’s embrace and the lure of the Orange Bowl is a great combination.”
The competition is expected to start at 2 p.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Admission is free.
A post-contest awards social and dinner will commence at the Jacobs Aquatic Center following the meet. Spectators who reserve ahead can attend the dinner and interact with the swimmers and coaches. Event contact: jacobsaquaticcenter.org or 305-453-SWIM (305-453-7946).
Howard Palmetto baseball, softball
Registration for the 2013 Howard Palmetto Baseball & Softball winter season has started. Go to www.howardpalmetto.com to sign up.
The season starts in January and continues through April/May. Registration fees are $219 for baseball, $195 for softball and $185 for T-ball. Registration includes T-ball Titans for boys and girls age 4-6; baseball for boys age 6-15; high school boys’ baseball for grades 10-12; fast-pitch softball for girls age 6-17.
Games are at Evelyn Greer Park, Suniland Park, Palmetto Bay, Coral Reef and Chapman Field. Register online or for information, visit www.howardpalmetto.com.
Miami Lady Express basketball
The Miami Lady Express girls’ basketball team needs funding to continue competing in tournaments throughout the United States. The coaches volunteered to train the girls, giving them something positive to do, and the parents have been fundraising.
Travel costs, food, tournament fees and lodging are very expensive for these girls. They practice at the Keys Gate Gym in Florida City and South Dade High School where their coaches teach. Contact Coach Larry Hicks at 786-301-2577.
Tamiami basketball
The Thunder Academy Winter Youth Basketball League is now through Jan. 31 at the Tamiami Gym. Each team will have two practices and one game per week, and all practices and games will be inside the gym.
The goal of the Thunder Winter League is to teach fundamentals and principles of the game. The games will remain competitive and offer an opportunity to work in stations and learn from different coaches and coaching methods.
The cost is $250 and includes three sessions per week, uniform, division photo, drawstring bag, water bottle and wristband. Visit www.YouthBasketballMiami.com or contact Coach Rob at CoachRobCastillo@gmail.com.
Youth Rugby South Miami
The Miami Rugby Youth Division, boys age 6-18, practices 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Murray Park and Wednesdays at Palmer Park, 6120 SW 67th Ave., South Miami. Call 305-400-0134, ext. 101. Visiti www.miamirugbykids.com.
Marlins Tours
The Miami Marlins offer behind the scenes tours of Marlins Park. The tours are open to the public on non-event days for $10 a person.
The tour includes visits to the field (behind home plate), home clubhouse, home batting cage area and Diamond Club, Promenade Level featuring the art in the facility, the bobblehead museum and the premium areas including the Suites.
Tours operate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except when the Marlins play at home or when other major events are scheduled at Marlins Park. Group tours, accommodating between 10 and 25 people, are available by appointment.
For information, fans can call 1-877-MARLINS or e-mail tours@marlins.com. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket windows on Felo Ramirez Drive (NW 6 Street between NW 14 Avenue and NW 15 Avenue) and are for the time and date specified.
Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
HOF baseball
Hall Of Fame Baseball is sponsoring travel baseball teams for 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 (high school) for the fall season.
Hall Of Fame Coach Rich Hofman and his staff will coach the teams which will practice and play in tournaments and leagues. Register for a tryout at www.hofball.net or call David Hofman at 954-804-5600 or Ed Tisdale at 803-463-2591.
Tennis classes, programs
Tennis classes and programs for all ages are at the Penny Sugarman Tennis Center at Sans Souci, 1795 Sans Souci Blvd., North Miami. Call for information on group lessons, annual passes, court rates and private lessons. Tennis pro is Ross Dubins. Call 305-893-7130.
Rebelle volleyball
Rebelle Athletics Club offers girls’ volleyball tryouts at Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School, 4949 NE 2nd Ave.
The volleyball club, a member of the United States Volleyball Association, is under the direction of Mandi Tate, Dee Rey and former Barry University player Kelly Dantas. They are former coaches with South Florida Volleyball Club and currently coach at Alonzo & Tracy Mourning Senior High School in Biscayne Bay.
Rebelle Athletics is dedicated to providing developmental and participatory athletic sports programs beginning at the youth development level. It offers a progression of sports activities for persons of all ages, races and creeds. It strives to enhance the physical, mental and moral development of amateur athletes at all levels, promoting sportsmanship and active citizenship.
Visit www.rebelleathletics.com.
Soccer
South Kendall Sun Blazers (sksoccer.org) at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, 11395 SW 79 St. (305-630-3314).
Miami Dade Soccer League (miami-dadesoccer.com) at Three Lakes Park, 13375 SW 136 St. (786-488-5216).
Soccer 5 (ussoccer5.com) at Kendall Soccer Park, 8011 SW 127 Ave. (1-888-575-2976).
Club Atletico De Miami (camsoccer.com) at Kendall Soccer Park, 8011 SW 127 Ave. (305-764-5783).
Soccer Academy of the Americas (socceraa.com) at Tamiami Park, 11201 SW 24 St. (786-486-3804)
Pinecrest Premier Soccer (pinecrestpremier.com) at Deerwood Bonita Lakes, 11511 S. Dixie Hwy. (305-255-3422).
Optimist Club of Westchester (tropicalsoccer.org) at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40 St. (786-370-4222).
Coral Estates Soccer Club (coralestatessoccer.org) at Coral Estates Park, 1411 SW 97 Ave. (305-279-2328)
South Kendall Soccer Club (sksoccer.org) at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, 11395 SW 79 St. (305-630-3314).
Southern Soccer Coalition-AYSO (kendallsoccer.com) at Millers Pond Park, 13350 SW 47 St. and Westwind Lakes Park, 6805 SW 152 Ave. (305-965-0083).
Got Milk
The National Milk Mustache “got milk?” campaign launched the call for entries for the 15th annual Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Awards.
The SAMMY scholarship recognizes 25 student-athletes who excel in academics, athletics, community service, leadership and who fuel their daily success with milk.
Milk Mustache celebrity judges will help select 25 winners from across the country who will receive a $7,500 college scholarship, an awards ceremony at Walt Disney World and an opportunity to appear in their own special Milk Mustache ad.
For complete contest rules and applications log onto facebook.com/MilkMustache where visitors can also learn more about the exclusive SAMMY awards weekend and view behind the scenes footage.
Health program
Stand Up! For Those Who Can’t, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children, families and communities through (w)holistic programs in education, culture and the arts, and as fiscal agent for the Sunshine Child Wellness Collaborative, has received a $50,000 grant from the Aetna Foundation to implement “Sunshine Fit for Tots,” an obesity-prevention program developed by SCWC for 3-year-old children.
“One in five preschool-age children in the United States are overweight or obese. We recognize the need to start prevention at the earliest age possible to promote lifelong habits of health and wellness,” said Mary Rae Smith, president and founder of SCWC. “We want to bend the curve on childhood obesity and are grateful to the Aetna Foundation for this opportunity to enhance obesity prevention through exercise and nutrition programming.”
Through March 2013, 60 children from four early childhood centers in Miami-Dade will receive nutritional education and obesity-prevention activities through art classes and dance lessons. The centers selected to receive the program are Fantasyland Learning Center in Westchester; Happy Kids in Miami Beach; Happy Children of Overtown; and Alberto’s Dream Childcare in North Miami.
“We thank the Aetna Foundation for awarding us this grant,” said Jeannette Egozi, president of SUFTWC. “In the United States, low-income families are the most affected by the alarming obesity trend. With these funds we can teach children how to eat healthfully and be physically active throughout their lives.”
For information about “Sunshine Fit for Tots” call the Sunshine Child Wellness Collaborative at 305-807-5229 or Stand Up! at 305-864-5237, e-mail jeannette@ecqc.biz.
Jai-Alai
Jai-alai is open to anyone, age 10 to 80.
With a rubber ball and cestas, the amateur jai-alai facility is at 1935 NE 150th St. in North Miami, near FIU’s north campus.
It is indoors, air-conditioned and open to all. Contact Luis at 305-389-2313 or Bob at 786-556-3574.
More Jai-Alai
Who said you have to be a male to play Jai Alai? Just as many females play the sport in Spain, France and Mexico, and gals can play it in South Florida at an amateur indoor air-conditioned fronton.
There are also leagues for males and children. Rubber or plastic balls used with free lessons by former pros. Cestas and balls also provided free with a nominal court fee.
Open everyday. Email admanUSA@aol.com or call Brucio 786-629-5428. The American Amateur Jai-Alai Academy is a not-for-profit organization.
CB Sports Leagues
CB Sports Club offers Youth Basketball, Flag Football, Youth Soccer, Adult Soccer and Adult Basketball. Visit cbsportsclub.com. Call 786-273-5639.
Physically Challenged
Miami-Dade Parks welcomes children with disabilities in its youth leagues. If you need accommodations to participate, call 305-735-7847 (V/TDD).



















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