My first introduction to Suncoast Sports Club was in September 2021. My son Tristan was 2, I was pregnant with our second child, we had just moved to the area and we were dying to get out of the house, meet parents with kids of similar ages and get plugged into the community. I was thrilled to learn about Soccer Puppies, a soccer league for 2 and 3 year olds that met on Saturdays at Glebe Park. Watching my son chase after a ball and run drills with his dad on the field in shin guards was adorable and the perfect way to wear him out before nap time. As I write this spotlight I’m looking back on videos of my curly haired little boy having a total blast and loving every moment of this new and exciting experience! 

 

Sarasota resident Steve Weeks spent 10 years coaching high school football and another 12 both coaching and refereeing soccer. He noticed that young kids were spending too much time on the bench and he didn’t like the competitive nature of it all. He wanted to create a culture of inclusion, teamwork and fun, where families could all go out to enjoy a Saturday morning together and be a part of a community. Out of this desire, in 1998 Suncoast Sports Club, Inc. was born. The club hosts Soccer for kids age 2-14 twice a year as well as a winter T-ball league for 3-5 year olds. It is a recreational, co-ed league requiring no try-outs and no travel- Suncoast Sports Club is all about learning sports, meeting new friends, teamwork and above all else, fun!

 

Weeks believes that every player, regardless of skill level, deserves to be a part of a team. Good sportsmanship, fair play and fun are top priorities. They uphold a 50% play rule which means that every player will play 50% of each game and not just sit on the bench. This makes it more enjoyable for both players and onlookers. 

 

The club meets Saturday mornings at Glebe Park on Siesta Key and has since its inception. Back then, it was just dirt and fire ants, says Weeks. There was no grass, just two baseball fields. The land belongs to Sarasota County Parks and Recreation and Weeks says that “without them, we couldn’t do what we do.” Weeks says he complained for 9 years to the Department to update the park and five years ago they came up with the funding to renovate it to what you see today. There are beautiful grassy fields, a playground, concession stand, covered picnic tables, basketball court and a baseball field. There’s also a paved trail for biking, walking and running.

 

Several years ago, Weeks handed the club over to his son Eddie Weeks who now runs it with his wife, Jennifer. Both educators, Eddie teaches high school history at Booker High School and Jennifer is a behavioral coach at Pineview. Eddie was a natural successor because he loves kids and will keep things recreational, says Weeks of the transition.

 

Saturday mornings at Glebe Park are busy and fun! There are kids of all ages, some playing the game, others on the playground, others cheering on friends. It’s a great place for parents and kids to socialize, connect and build community. 

 

Steve refers to Glebe Park as a “hidden gem” because it’s set back behind St. Michael the Archangel Church off of Midnight Pass Rd. You’d never know it was there unless you were looking for it. The church provides overflow parking on Saturdays, as there are not nearly enough spaces at the park to accommodate the growing numbers of the club which reach from 180-250 families during a given season.

 

Soccer Puppies, the league for 2 and 3 year olds, encourages parents to accompany their kids out on the field. The kids run, kick the ball, score goals and sometimes just end up on the playground, too. “They have no idea what’s going on,” Weeks jokes, “Soccer is just the segue to having a good time on a Saturday morning.” 

 

The younger leagues meet only once a week on Saturdays for practice and games, while the older kids meet one additional day a week for practice in addition to Saturday game day. Soccer leagues begin in September and February, T-ball begins in January, and sessions generally run for 10 weeks. Suncoast offers a scholarship program for those kids who cannot pay the registration fee- no one else needs to know, Weeks says.

 

The league relies heavily on family involvement as all of its coaches are parent volunteers. 

 

Suncoast Sports Club is still a part of our family’s story. Tristan played on the “Sail Fish” team for kids 5 and under this past season. It’s something our whole family enjoys, including our 3 year old who spends her time mostly on the playground. We run into many families we know and love cheering on the kids on both teams. We rarely know who wins or loses a game, but all the players shake hands at the end with a smile and head straight to the concession stand for a popsicle afterward. In my opinion, this is how soccer when you’re a kid should be!

 

You can go online for more information and to get registered: www.suncoastsportsclub.com or email suncoastsportsclub@gmail.com