Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
5:41 am Saturday, June 26, 2004

Under-8 jamboree big hit for State Games soccer

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
June 20, 2004
The State Games of Mississippi's youth soccer tournament didn't want to see its youngest players left out of the action this year.
With the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association sanctioning the state-wide tournament for the first time in the Games' history, the under-8 tournament which has been held in the past couldn't be part of the event this year. The MYSA doesn't sanction competitive under-8 tourneys.
In order to keep the under-8 teams part of the youth soccer event, the Games held an under-8 jamboree for the young players. Which looked to be a risky idea before the jamboree was held on Saturday.
"We decided we would try the (jamboree) for State Games, and if there is no interest, we wouldn't do it again," said youth soccer commissioner Doug Kitchens. "We had jamborees in the past and there wasn't any interest."
The jamboree attracted 27 teams the largest pool of players for any age group to the Meridian High School football practice field. The practice facility held four fields.
"That's crazy," Kitchens said of the turnout for the jamboree. "It really worked out great, and we were really surprised we got that many teams."
The under-8 teams didn't keep an official score for the games, and squads fielded four players at a time, instead of the standard seven for that age group.
Though there were no medal games at the end of the jamboree, Mike Crowe who coaches the Meridian Youth Soccer Organization Lightning boys under-8 team said it didn't take away from the action on the field.
"Last year, it was competitive, and this year, it was the same way," said Crowe, whose team played four games. "These teams were out to play. Nobody wanted to lose or let another team score on you. It really didn't change much from last year."
Most under-8 squads played three games in a round-robin format at the jamboree, which was only held on the first day of the youth soccer competition. Youth soccer wraps up today with medal games for the under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-16 age groups.
"We had a good time," said South Mississippi Soccer Club under-8 girls coach Jeff Bruni. "I think we may have lost about two pounds out there sweating."
All of the players who participated in the under-8 jamboree received first-place medals from the Games.
"We appreciate all of the teams that played in the jamboree," Kitchens said. "We want them to know that they are the future of soccer in Mississippi, and we are happy that they decided to be the first group to participate in the State Games jamboree."
The youth soccer competition drew 97 teams to Meridian. Games were held at the Jaycee Soccer Complex and the Northeast Soccer Complex for the under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-16 age groups.

Also on Franklin County Times
Bill would eliminate YO status in cases of murder
Franklin County, Main, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
MONTGOMERY — A local state representative has pre-filed a bill that would prevent someone 16 or older who is charged with murder or capital murder fro...
Strickland takes council seat after Trulove’s withdrawal
Main, News, Red Bay
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 10, 2025
RED BAY — Jonathan Strickland has been declared the next Place 3 memberof theRedBayCity Council after incumbent Herbert Trulove withdrew from the Sept...
School threats are no joking matter
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — The saddest thing about the Sept. 3 bomb threat at Phil Campbell High School is the lasting impact the hoax will have on the life of t...
Ambassadors program gives students taste of leadership
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 10, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE --the Ambassadors program at Tharptown Elementary is giving students an introduction to leadership. The program gives elected fifth and s...
Book Lovers Club to host violence awareness program
Columnists, Opinion, Russellville
HERE AND NOW
“We look forward to expanding our knowledge of the issues while engaging members and communities to unite in addressing this pervasive societal epidemic.”
September 10, 2025
The GFWC Book Lovers Study Club will host an awareness session about domestic and sexual violence at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Russellville First Methodis...
Opinion: SPACECOM headquarters should be in Huntsville
Columnists, Opinion
September 10, 2025
After years of political wrangling, President Trump is bringing Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters back to its rightful home in Huntsville. This wa...
Space Command could boost region’s economy
News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
FLORENCE—Northwest Alabama officials said the Sept. 3 announcement that the U.S. Space Command will be moved to Huntsville could boost local economies...
RHS volleyball team pushes record to 17-5
High School Sports, News, Russellville Golden Tigers, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
The busy week for the Russellville volleyball team was highlighted by a home match against county rival Phil Campbell, the first area match of the sea...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *