- April 18, 2024
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When a young girl’s name makes the local headlines for a travel softball team, very little is said about her team because it’s not local. Palm Coast girls have to play in either Ormond Beach, with the Renegades, or they play in Jacksonville with the Fusion. Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Superintendent Roxy Gonzalez wants to change that.
Gonzalez, a former high school and college softball standout from Miami, was just hired as Flagler FAST’s new coach, under new president Isaiah Hadley.
“Isaiah had shut the program down because a lot of the kids left the team for various reasons,” Gonzalez said. “A lot of the parents asked me to step up as the head coach, and I was more than happy to do it, so I asked Isaiah if he would be interested in continuing the program if I coached, and he was on board.”
Gonzalez helped out with the previous regime, but, due to contrasting coaching styles, she decided to pull out and provide private lessons for some of the girls. Now, as the leader of the team, Gonzalez plans to put together a program that will enhance her players’ skills.
“I’m a huge supporter of Coach Roxy, and I want to help her get this going,” said Steve Perrine, a softball parent. “As a very protective parent, I watched her very closely; and her methods of instruction and ability to clearly demonstrate, communicate and execute softball skills and drills were impeccable. Roxy’s sharp eye was able to pick up on the weaknesses of her athletes. She took the time and had the patience to break down necessary skills, correct the flaws, and work with the girls in perfecting those skills. She does all of this with structure, respect, and intensity, and that puts a smile on everyone’s face, parents, athletes and the coach.”
Gonzalez’s coaching history began at Miami-Dade College as an assistant and recruiting coach, where she attended before playing at the University of South Florida. Then, she coached at Coral Gables, where she also played high school, and, from there she coached recreational ball until getting in Parks and Recreation.
“I’m part of this community professionally, but I want to continue to be a part of the community overall,” she said. “I want to lend my skills to these kids. I’m really focused on building their skills and making them into competitive-level players.”
Gonzalez has the evidence to prove that her skills are not just talk. She began developing Gabriella Fernandez at age 10, with no softball experience. Fernandez became an All-County player and was recruited by the University of Florida, where she started as catcher her freshman season before going into the medical field.
With her success as a player and coach, many parents have already begun to back Gonzalez as the coach who will put their girls in position to be successful.
“I am confident that this is an opportunity that should not be missed, an opportunity for our local girls to further develop the skills necessary to play a higher level of softball,” he said. “There is no doubt our young ladies will be better equipped for high school competition and the pursuit of scholarships to colleges.”
Email Jeff Dawsey at [email protected].
Flagler FAST tryouts
Coach Roxy Gonzalez is looking to put together a 15-player travel team. Tryouts will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, July 31, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Flagler County Fairground fields. For more information, call 503-5858.
