Central Florida Soccer Club: Impact in the Apopka community that goes beyond the final whistle

The benefits of participating in a local youth soccer program extend far beyond the field.

Aside from the obvious physical benefits of exercise and improved coordination, these programs promote teamwork, leadership, and self-confidence. Children who participate in soccer programs learn valuable life skills that go beyond the sport, making it an excellent choice for parents who want to help their children develop both physically and mentally.

Fortunately, there is an established youth soccer program right here in Apopka.

We are Central Florida Soccer Club, a community-driven organization that's been part of Apopka since its grassroots beginnings in 2006. Central Florida SC brings competitive soccer, commitment to community service, and inclusivity to Apopka.

Our club welcomes boys and girls ages 2 to 19 to join our youth soccer programs. We aim to accommodate all skill levels within Apopka. We do this by offering various levels of play, from developmental programs for beginners to academies for more advanced soccer players. With inclusivity at the core of our ethos, we conduct open evaluations instead of “try-outs,” which ensures every child interested in soccer gets a chance to play. Being inclusive is how we achieve our goal of meeting every child at their stage of development. We also understand the financial burden of playing competitive soccer and proudly level the playing field by removing financial barriers through substantial financial aid, totaling over $30,000 in 2023 alone!

Our roots go beyond the excitement of soccer matches. Central Florida Soccer Club organizes food drives, contributing thousands of dollars worth of food to local pantries annually. Further, we strive to extend our impact in Apopka by boosting the local economy by creating employment opportunities for coaches, staff, and referees, where we fund training, qualifications, and licensing for all positions. High school students can also meet their required community service hours by coaching, training, and referee opportunities. This helps to instill leadership and community involvement in our adolescents. As a 501(c)(3), these commitments showcase our dedication to addressing the immediate needs of our community.

We do not stop with the final whistle.

Annual town hall for the community

Not only does our club bring competitive soccer to Apopka, but we aspire to become a thread in our community fabric. One way we do this is by hosting an annual town hall inviting the entire community to come out and participate in the growing discussion regarding soccer and youth sports in Apopka. We believe it’s essential to maintain transparency and involve the community both in the club's journey and Apopka’s growing youth sports programs. By inviting not just our members but the entire community, we establish rapport with other sports programs, active members of the city, and city officials. Having more than just our club members present helps us, as a community, address and advocate the needs of youth athletes in our town.

In last year’s town hall, many parents learned about our club and how to get involved in our organization's sports and community outreach. We were happy but surprised that some were hearing about us for the first time. In addition to other topics, many of our club parents and local community members discussed their concerns over the conditions of the fields at the Northwest Recreation Complex. Although many people had thought the fields needed work, it was when we all came together and voiced our concerns that we all realized that action would be required. So, we came up with a plan to advocate for change. These are just a few examples of successful and engaging town halls where we use soccer as a means of connection and positive change within our city.

Of course, town halls only happen with you!

We invite everyone in our community to join us on Feb 25th at 1:00 PM at the Apopka Amphitheater for a casual setting to ask questions about our club’s programs, our future, and how you can contribute. We’ll have free ice cream and shaved ice for the kids, pick-up soccer games, and raffle prizes! Visit our website for more information about our programs at centralfloridasc.com. You can also email us at info@centralfloridasc.com or call us at (407) 613 - 2426.

We look forward to leading Apopka’s soccer journey for years to come!