All is well at Brandi Fenton. … Really well.
Nearly two weeks after Pima County Supervisors unanimously agreed to turn on the lights at Brandi Fenton, Tucson Soccer Academy teams are busy practicing on two of the lighted fields.
“We’re excited about it,’’ said David Cosgrove, TSA’s Director of Coaching. “The club needed it. We were getting to a situation where the kids were going to have to double up on a field, which would have put the kids in danger. We’re grateful for the county’s decision. The county stepped up and we’re very pleased.’’
According to Arizona Daily Star reports, it will cost the Pima County administrators $25,775 to turn the lights on, including maintenance.
The Pima County Board listened to a number of TSA representatives – including parents – on the matter before approving turning on the lights. In August, District 1 representative, Ann Day, gave a passionate speech about the lights and her determination to make the county supervisors the importance of turning them.
The lights cost $350,000 to install earlier this year. Many of the TSA teams use nearby Mehl Park as a practice facility but with the ability to use Brandi Fenton on a near-daily basis it helps alleviate congestion and practices schedules.
“We are proud as an organization to have been part of lighting fields at Mehl Park, Rillito, and Brandi Fenton,’’ said Charlie Kendrick, a TSA coach. “The lights going on at Brandi Fenton was a proud moment for our organization, but more importantly the community as a whole.’’
TSA teams do well in Phoenix
The U14 Boys Blue team won its division at the annual Sereno Tourament in Phoenix recently, beating host Sereno Blue, 3-1, in the title game. TSA Boys Blue scored 11 goals to its opponents one goal in its first three games before it won the title. The team is coached by Bob Coate and assisted by Matt Coate. ... TSA 98 Boys Red team won its division by beat CCV, 1-0, in the final minute of its championship. Two weeks earlier the two teams played to a 1-1 tie after TSA had the lead late. The U12 Red team is playing some of its best soccer to date. "We’re getting better every day,’’ said coach Cosgrove. "Hopefully this is a beginning of a good stretch. ... I like where we are at right now. And I still feel we will get better.’’
Have notes? Send them to me. This coming weekend many teams will be headed to Vegas for the annual Mayor’s Cup. Let me know how teams do!
