- April 25, 2024
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An international youth soccer program that prepares goalkeepers for college and professional soccer has selected Palm Coast as the home for its new U.S.-based national camp.
The Just4Keepers International Goalkeeping Academy will hold a national residential camp in July in Palm Coast, following regional camps in Palm Coast and five other states in June and July. Top goalkeepers from the national camp will be selected to travel to England to attend Just4Keepers’ international academy, from which goalkeepers are often signed to professional contracts.
J4K founder Ray Newland visited Palm Coast and met with officials from the city and its partners in the project during a scouting trip earlier this year.
Newland first learned of Palm Coast from Rich Weber, vice president of programs and founding president of FC United. The two agreed to meet at a conference in Indianapolis.
“At J4K, our main focus is to develop our students and give them opportunities to chase their dreams to become professional soccer players,” said Newland, a former player for Everton F.C., a team in the Barclays Premier League. “After visiting Palm Coast and meeting with (officials), I thought Palm Coast’s vision was the same as Just4keepers’. So, for me, it was an easy decision to have our national residential camp in Palm Coast.”
Newland also said that he is considering moving his JK4 worldwide headquarters to Palm Coast within the next few months.
Founded by Newland in the U.K. in 1999, Just4keepers is the leading and largest goalkeeper academy in the world, currently operating in 18 countries and five continents. For more, go to www.goalkeepercamps.net.
“Goalkeeper training is a niche skill-set and having the best training in the U.S. centered in Palm Coast that will feed the top goalkeeper international school/camp will certainly expand the city’s visibility as an elite sports-based destination,” Weber said. “It is a win-win for everyone, including FC United as we are now partnered with J4K, the world’s best goalkeeper development program.”
City Manager Jim Landon added: "This one is a big deal for us. This company and its soccer goalie training program will give us international exposure. ... This company also has a manufacturing component. They sell their own goalie equipment. We have already started discussions with them about bringing a portion or all of that operation to Palm Coast.
"As usual, this success was a team effort. We owe a big thank you to Rich Weber and Reggy Monsanto with FC United. ... Georgia Turner and Helga Van Eckert, with Flagler County, were also very helpful."
FPC softball pummels Atlantic, 23-0
It might be spring break, but the Flagler Palm Coast softball team is hard at work. The Lady Bulldogs (9-8) routed Atlantic, 23-0, on Wednesday.
FPC scored 10 runs in the first inning, six in the second and another seven in the third. The game was called after three innings because of the mercy rule. Atlantic mustered only one hit against FPC starting pitcher Anna Hardy (5-0).
Sam Mittel went 4-for-4 with five RBIs and two doubles. Onesti Stevens awent 3-for-3 with five RBIs. Destiny Kelly went 3-for-4.
Three-peat: Undefeated Trademark wins city flag football title
After a long and cold season, Trademark captured its third straight title March 25 in the Palm Coast Adult Flag Football league, going undefeated.
The season, which began in January, featured nine teams with players coming from Daytona, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Ormond Beach and Palm Coast.
Eric Acevedo and Bruce Garrison are the Trademark captains, leading the team to a perfect 14-0 record.
With the win, Trademark will receive free entry into next year’s league.
Miller Lite took second place, and Old School finished third.
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