Courtesy: Giles News


Futsal Classic to Benefit Family of Volunteer, Mentor

by Johnny Phelps

The Giles County Soccer League and the Giles County High School Lady Bobcats basketball team will host a first-ever local Tennessee (Soccer) Futsal Tournament.

The event will be held at the GCHS gym Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, in memory of Riley Jenkins.

David Lake, board member of the Giles County Soccer League, said, “We have 32 teams coming from four counties — Lincoln County, city of Lebanon, Maury County and Giles County. The response has been great.”

Proceeds of the tournament will benefit the children of Riley Jenkins. The Lady Bobcats girls basketball team will sell concessions.

Wanda Newton, treasurer of the Giles County Soccer League, said, “It’s called the Bobcat Bash in Memory of Riley Jenkins. Giles County experienced the loss of an outstanding individual when Riley Jenkins passed away.”

Jenkins played soccer at GCHS and continued his soccer career at Martin Methodist College. He spent countless hours on the soccer field coaching and mentoring youth in Giles County.

Newton added, “It was Riley’s dream to build soccer and to bring older adults into the game. In his honor, we will have five adult teams playing Saturday afternoon, four teams of coaches and referees and one team from GCHS — teachers and coaches.”

The 32 teams will be boys and girls. Nick Whetsel, board director and tournament director, said, “Games will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and continue until 8:30 p.m. Games will resume at 1 p.m. on Sunday and conclude at 3:30 p.m.”

The cost of admission is $5. Also, there will be T-shirts sold for $10 each.

Each game will last 17 minutes with no half time. Teams U8 through U14 will play five versus five (including goalkeeper). U15 and above will play four versus four (including goalkeeper). Awards will be given to all participating players and champions in each division, according to Whetsel.

Jason Mize, president of the Giles County Soccer League, said, “There are 300 kids in Giles County playing in our fall league and another 260 in the spring. There are 30 teams. Soccer is the fastest growing sport in the nation.”

Kevin Garner is president of the Soccer Association, the group that owns and maintains the fields. Also on that committee are Rufus Woodard, Maurice Arnett and Mize.

“We want to encourage all to come out and celebrate our first tournament in loving memory of Riley Jenkins to benefit the Jenkins Children Fund,” Mize said.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com