Oconee County, GA Politics

Boys Varsity Soccer - Athens Academy vs Oconee County High School (Event): Athens Academy: PlayOn! Sports

I hope nothing but the best for this soccer juncture - this could bode well for local athletes for the next decade plus at a state level. Sincerely,  Dan Matthews From: wbyce@oconee.ga.us To: danmatt@hotmail.com Date: Tue, 22 May 2012 12:27:43 -0700 Subject: Oconee Soccer Alliance General Info and Tryouts Please click on the link below for general information and frequently asked questions regarding the Oconee Soccer Alliance. Reminder:  Academy Evaluations and Select Soccer Tryouts coming soon U9 - U12 Academy Evaluations U13 Athena/Classic Tryouts May 29 - 31 from 6 - 8 pm at Oconee Veterans Park U14 and older Athena/Classic Tryouts June 5- 7 from 6 - 8 pm at Oconee Veterans Park http://www.ocprd.com/ProgramActivity.aspx?MemberID=95&ProgramID=1 Oconee Veterans Park 3500A Hog Mountain Road Watkinsville, GA 30677

Sign up or volunteer if you can for the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department. Sincerely,  Dan Matthews Final Weeks of Spring Registration Going on Now  Final two weeks of registration going on now! Spring Programs Registration:   Register for Start Smart Soccer, Start Smart Baseball, Soccer Academy, Youth Soccer Leagues, Oconee Special Soccer League, Sticks for Kids Golf, Volleyball, Intramural Teen Soccer Leagues, Yoga, Adult Softball Leagues, and Tennis. Register online at www.ocprd.com or visit Oconee Veterans Park.  For more information visit our website or call 706-769-3965. Spring Special Events: Table Tennis Tournament - March 10 Touch a Truck - March 17 Easter Egg Hunt - April 7 Pitch, Hit and Run - April 21 May Day Madness Disc Golf Tournament V - May 5 Movie in the Park - May 12   Volunteer Coaches Needed: Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department is in need of volunteer coaches for...

That is how I felt after a season full of frustration came to a head this evening in the first round of the Oconee Parks and Recreation Department u12 soccer season.  Our winless team lost yet again in the post-season tourney 4-2 after playing a great first half. I blew a gasket late in the second half when we were still down by one goal and the other team had an out of bounds ball directly in front of our bench. The other team had two players who I would say were worthy of traveling team status, while we maybe had three who occasionally did. I give the other team all the credit in the world. The other team took its sweet time deciding who was going to pass the ball in and player "A" took the ball over his head to throw it in and actually pumped like he was going to throw it in, then their coach decided another player was to throw it in instead, and the first player tossed the ball into the field of play to the second player, underhanded, but a violation none the less. It w...

I have not been making as many original posts recently because I am coaching my son Lowell's under 12 soccer team in the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department. Some soccer god has a sick sense of humor since their team nickname is the Grizzlies, which I guess makes me a papa Grizzly and somewhere Sarah Palin is smiling. Anyhow after the first game, a hard fought 1-0 loss to the Panthers, a few quick observations and suggestions: Have recycling bins/cans on the soccer pitch. Most of these kids are drinking Gatorade, Powerade and what not, and they can be easily recycled. Curbside of Bogart might even do it for free if we give them the free publicity, but I cannot speak for them. Coaches get real tired of schlepping used drink containers to trash cans after hard fought losses.  Have the Oconee County Sheriff's Department (or some other civilian or police force) keeping traffic on Highway 53/Hog Mountain Road coming out of Oconee Veterans Park and the across the stre...

Any Oconee County soccer or baseball playing families who have not done so should check out the well maintained athletic facilities hidden behind Westminster Christian School here off New High Shoals Road just outside the 441 Bypass very near Watkinsville. The Oconee County Futbol Club calls this their home field this season, and the quality of play is light years ahead of the similarly aged Oconee County Recreation Department level of play. Of course playing elite traveling teams from closer to Atlanta often means your team will get stomped with near World Cup level passing and kicking on corner kicks, it also means that some day your youth could be that proficient as well. The 7 on 7 soccer works well on the smaller fields of Westminster Christian, and it will be interesting to see if that translates well to the five viable High School sports programs in the next five to 10 years. I formerly lived just down the road from this school and it is interesting to see how it has evolved...

Would you like to be a soccer coach for Oconee County Recreation Department? I can forward you the forms Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: jhightower@oconee.ga.us CC: mperkins@oconee.ga.us Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:34:08 -0500 Subject: Spring Soccer Coaches Needed Fall Soccer registration opens February 1 . * Boys and girls leagues for all ages 4 – 16 this season. If you are planning to return to a coaching roll this season please complete the attached forms for the upcoming season. Below you will find the 2010 soccer info. The following coaches have already turned in the coach forms: U10 Girls 1 Alan Franzluebbers 2 Duane Peterson (either league) U10 Boys 1 Duane Peterson U12 Girls 1 Nelson Pavao U12 Boys 1 Jimmy Rickard 2 Shannon Harrell U17 Girls 1 David Stearns Age Group     ...

As if there were not enough going on tomorrow, here is a great chance for some run, fun and fitness in the sun early tomorrow morning. Sorry to report I am helping set up the Oconee Democratic Committee yard sale near the bike wheel spinning art at the Fall Festival about 6:30 am, then have a soccer game for my son circa 8:30 am, then have to go to Druid Hills to deal with my father, then come back from a catered meal maybe here. Non-stop starting right after work today with two hours on the air at WUOG 90.5 FM starting at 6 pm tonight as part of alumni weekend. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Subject: Scarecrow 5K Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:38:25 -0400 From: BBrodrick@jacksonspalding.com To: BBrodrick@jacksonspalding.com Scarecrow 5K Just a q uick reminder that the Scarecrow 5K is tomorrow morning in Watkinsville before the Oconee County Fall Festival ; there is also a 1 mile for younger kids who want to participate .  Would love for any of you who are i...

The rains we have received lately are a blessing as an inch below the top soil it is still bone dry in our Oconee County soil, but it has taken its toll on our Fall Soccer program with cancellations Thursday already. The Picture Day tomorrow will go rain or shine at the Oconee Veterans Park. width="12" height="12"> Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:18 -0700 Subject: Picture Day, Punt Pass & Kick and Soccer Attention OCPRD Football, Flag Football, Cheerleading, and Soccer Parents:   Soccer games  for Saturday are still on as scheduled. Please check the weather hotline for cancelation updates. 706-769-2965   Pictures are still a on as scheduled  - rain or shine . If it rains you will go inside the building  located in the Park where you were scheduled.   Please review the schedule or check with your coach   about   which park to report to for pictures and for the game. Picture Locations: OVP ? Oconee Veterans P...

Be patient with parking, access and egress at Oconee Veterans Park and the neighboring Herman C. Michael park tonight and most week nights for the next month and a half or so. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. From: tlathrup@oconee.ga.us To: danmatt@hotmail.com Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:22:22 -0700 Subject: 2009 Fall Activities Greetings, Receipt of this e-mail indicates you are a parent of one of the approximately 1250 kids involved in one of the seven OCPRD fall 2009 youth programs. We sincerely hope that not only your childrens, but your whole family's experience this season will be rewarding and fun. With such a large number of children and families involved in fall activities it can make for some busy practice and game days often filling our parks to capacity. Add in over 400 kids from Oconee County Little League and the Oconee Futbol League soccer group who also utilize our fields and it is easy to see how gym and field space become quickly limited. Today mar...

Coaching soccer is a very rewarding way to give back to the community. I highly recommend it. I did it for three seasons and at this age, the kids respond well to running, having fun and kicking the ball all over the place. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 10:57:41 -0700 Subject: U8 Soccer Coaches Needed We are in need of (4) coaches for U8 Soccer.  If you are interested or know of someone willing to coach, please have them contact Jared Hightower at jhightower@oconee.ga.us or 706-769-3965.  Coaches training will be offered next Saturday, August 15 from Noon to 1:30 p.m.  Thank you! Jared Hightower Oconee Veterans Park 3500 Hog Mountain Road Watkinsville, GA 30677

Severe thunderstorms last night prevented play between our beloved Oconee County Warriors soccer team and the West Hall team in a match to decide who advances to the title tilt . Come cheer on the Warriors at 7pm this evening as they have yet to allow a goal this post-season.

Adam Thompson of the Athens Banner-Herald wrote me an email today to ask if everything is all right, and I replied that I have been very busy and bummed out massively about the death of guitarist Randy Bewley of Pylon. I need to add more content to this blog and keep people posted on my rather narrow viewpoint of what is going on in Oconee County, Georgia. Truth is not a whole lot has been happening in my neck of the world. About the most exciting thing I have done recently is buy a glow in the dark 28.5 gram basketball for my son. Lowell decided not to play soccer this spring and also asked not to be talked into playing on either the Oconee Recreation Department or Oconee Futbol Club traveling teams. With the economy the way it has been lately, that was not a difficult decision to swallow. Some parents would make their little soccer prodigies play even if they did not want to, but honest to goodness I could tell he was not that into it the last season we played on the big field. I am...

For those parents and Grandparents waiting with baited breath for the beautiful soccer team and individual photographs of their strapping youths, they are in and will distributed during the final couple of game slots Saturday, Monday and Tuesday if the fields ever drain completely. The club game scheduled for the Oconee Veterans Park has been postponed/rescheduled/canceled for this evening. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Subject: Pictures / UGA Soccer Canceled Coaches, Pictures are in (except for Oct 4 make up pictures).  Team Packages will be brought out and distributed next week according to the game schedule. It will begin with Monday  activities first and so forth.  They are now organized for the distribution.  Please no individual  pick-ups. There will be no soccer at OVP tonight. UGA Men's Soccer vs. Tennessee Vols has been canceled.   Jared Hightower Athletic Program Coordinator Oconee County Parks & Re...

Just an update for you Oconee County soccer enthusiasts - not surprising considering we had three inches of rain yesterday. Just in time for our new watering regualtions, too. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 11:06:58 -0400 Subject: Fields Closed for Thursday Attention Coaches & Officials:   ·          All OVP, BSC,  & HCM fields are closed for activities for Thursday October 9 th .   ·          The Inclement Weather Hotline (IWC) has been updated.   ·          Tennis has not yet been cancelled. An update will be made on Tennis around 2:30pm   ·          U12 & U14 Soccer Games scheduled for tonight will be moved to Thursday October 23 rd .  The times and locations will remain the same.   ·     ...

This is a site to be seen for sure. Black Hawk Helicopters are not something you see landing in Oconee County every day. I have been so focused on coaching soccer that I did not even know there were functioning tennis courts at the Oconee Veterans Park. Maybe we should have built a helicopter landing pad near the Veterans Monument as well. Woven brightly, Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. CC: ldavol@oconee.ga.us; tlathrup@oconee.ga.us; nduka7@aol.com Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 09:19:19 -0400 Subject: Tonight's Events Coaches & Officials: Tonight  (Tues. 10-7) there will be a Black Hawk Helicopter landing at OVP  as part of a National Guard event. This will happen at 6:00pm, which is the kick off time for many of our U8 & U10 soccer teams.  Coaches and officials should prepare to begin games around 6:10pm to avoid any potential distraction during the game. The Black Hawk should return to flight around 7:00pm.  If games are still in progress at that ti...

I have only been in the horribly named Oconee County Complex once, and that was for the U-10 soccer tryouts in what was the first event held there. When the wind blows (which is pretty much all the time) just the right way, you get to smell the fertilizer or other poop permeating Dr. Mike Streetman's property across that ridiculously busy State Route 53. The facility has decent turf, good parking, some sparse shade and beyond that, come back to read here after a few Blazers soccer games. But here is a well-written story in today's Athens Banana-Harold about the increasing and outrageous costs of the new park

Coaches, Now that our Under-6 and Under-8 Soccer seasons have ended, I wanted to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all Micro Coaches from this Fall 2007 season. I must admit is was difficult to keep an eye on close to 60 Under-6 and Under-8 Soccer teams. But from what I saw it looked like all teams accomplished our main goal of the season, for the players, parents, and coaches to have fun! Whether it was teaching skills related to the game, or teaching the values of teamwork and sportsmanship, I hope you and your team enjoyed each other's company this season. The success of this soccer program is due in part to our volunteer coaches like yourself who do a wonderful job each season. Without the dedicated effort put forth by our volunteer coaches--the opportunity for the kids of our community to experience a few months of healthy fun and learning in an organized team environment would be difficult, if not impossible, to coordinate. Your commitment to your team, our program...

There are more of these at Spotted . Thanks to Catherine Hodges for taking these photos.

The Under-8 Volcanoes soccer team of the Oconee County Recreation Department played two extra games outside of their usual micro-field venue beside Oconee County Middle School. The Volcanoes played two brief "friendlies" - soccer scrimmage games - at the halftime of the University of Georgia Lady Bulldogs soccer games on Sundays on Milledge Avenue's Turner Sports Complex. The first nine-minute cross-field scramble will be during Sunday's 2:00 pm match against South Carolina, and the second exhibition will be at halftime of the 2pm Sunday, October 21st battle when the Lady Dogs take on Ole Miss in what is being billed as "Oconee County Youth Soccer Day." The Volcanoes' team roster include Matthew Archer, Paige Alpaugh, Ryan Cherry, Anthony Jones, Tara Jones, Lowell Matthews, Allye Rogers and Madeline Sprayberry. The Volcanoes received extra help from guest player Owen Hallauer in their first halftime match. The team is coached by Dan Matthews of Watkinsv...