Area parks hosting events
Global Sports Alliance Baseball’s Florida Gulf Coast League action is back in Plant City after last weekend’s Labor Day Classic was thrown off by the weather forecast.
Florida Gulf Coast League play heats up at Mike Sansone Park and the Larson Four-Plex. Games start between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sept. 7 and 8.
Also coming back to Plant City, weather permitting, is the city’s Youth Flag Football league.
The Parks and Recreation Department/Optimist Club Youth Flag Football League is back for its 53rd season, which kicks off at 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. Sept. 14 on multiple fields at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex. The league has 164 players on 20 co-ed teams throughout five age groups, which cover ages 4 through 15. The season begins Sept. 14 and runs every Saturday through Nov. 2.
Hobkirk makes USA Triathlon team
Plant City native Bob Hobkirk, fresh off of competing in the IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, is joining another USA national team.
Hobkirk qualified in late August for the USA National Triathlon team and will join the team in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada next year for the 2020 ITU World Championships.
In the IDBF championship series, Hobkirk was a member of the USA Senior C team and helped the group win its first-ever gold medal in the competition — plus seven more, for good measure.
USTA seeking volunteers for new leadership academy
The United States Tennis Association’s Florida chapter is recruiting volunteers for a new developmental program that grows professional skills and leadership qualities for “potential future leaders” in the organization.
Thirty Florida residents age 18 and older will join the USTA Florida Leadership Academy’s 2020 class. Prior tennis experience or knowledge is not required, but passion for the industry is. There will be two in-person workshops in Orlando scheduled for Nov. 22-23, 2019 and May 29-30, 2020. Online classes will be available between workshops starting Sept. 30.
“We’re very excited to launch this new program, which is just one part of our new volunteer recruitment and engagement program,” USTA Florida Executive Director Laura Bowen said. “USTA Florida has a rich history as a volunteer-led organization, and I’m looking forward to building a new class of diverse volunteers to help lead us into the future.”
Visit USTAFlorida.com/LeadershipAcademyAPP for details and to apply.
Tampa YMCA looking for Turkey Gobble runners
The fifth annual Goody Goody Turkey Gobble is all planned out and the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA invites you to join in on the Thanksgiving Morning fun.
The 5K, 8K and one-mile run/walk events kick off at 7 a.m. Nov. 28 in front of Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Goody Goody will provide all participants with a free breakfast. The 5K and 8K runs are chip-timed and prizes will be awarded to top finishers in all age groups. Runners must be at least 10 years old to race.
All proceeds benefit the YMCA’s LiveStrong program for cancer survivors and their families.
The cost is $30 for the 5K ($35 after Oct. 31), $35 for the 8K ($40 after Oct. 31) and $15 for the one-mile run/walk. Register online at runsignup.com.