PYSL Kicks Off Exciting, Busy Season

The Piedmont Youth Soccer League's (PYSL) season officially begins on Sat., March 21, but several of its programs will begin in the coming days.

One of those events, the PYSL Girls Play Day, will be held this Sat., Jan. 31, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC). This day will give girls ages 6-12 the opportunity to play soccer freely, without a set practice structure, with other girls their age. This day participation is free.

Skills sessions will be offered for ages 11-15 once a week starting on Jan. 28, until March 18, every Wednesday night from 6-7:30 p.m. Sessions will focus on technical skills needed to be a successful soccer player. Sessions will be lead by PYSL's Director of Coaching Enda Crehan. All eight sessions will be offered for $80 and registration for the sessions is available on pyslsoccer.net

Registration is open for PYSL's recreation program and TOP Soccer program. Those interested in the spring 2015 season can register online at pyslsoccer.net or by mailing their registration form to the SRSC, along with their payment. There will be open registration in the Carter Bank & Trust Meeting Room at the SRSC on Jan. 31, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Feb. 5, 4-6 p.m., and Feb. 10, 4-6 p.m. On Feb. 12, from 4-6 p.m., there will be a Hispanic translator at the SRSC for registrations.  Additionally, a mobile registration will be held on Feb. 3, from 4-6 p.m., at the Patrick County Branch Library.

The Piedmont Youth Academy (PYA) program will be holding tryouts for soccer players interested in developing skills in a fun and competitive environment this Sun., Feb. 1. For the under-8 team, tryouts will be from 1-2:30 p.m. For the under-9 and under-10, tryouts will be from 2:30-4 p.m.

This season, there are five PYSL Hurricane Travel teams. They will begin practicing and preparing next week for their season competing in the Blue Ridge Soccer League.

"We are excited to begin another season of soccer here at PYSL and get the kids back on the field playing. The club has grown so much, and as an organization we couldn't be happier," said Enda Crehan, PYSL director of coaching.

"PYSL is ecstatic about recent growth of the club and cannot wait for the season to get started," said Brittney Harrison, SRSC director of programs.

To learn more about any of the programs PYSL offers please visit www.pyslsoccer.net or contact Harrison at (276) 638-5200, ext. 1 or bharrison@SmithRiverSportsComplex.com.

For more information about the Smith River Sports Complex and upcoming events please visitwww.SmithRiverSportsComplex.com or contact Chloe Mayhew at (276) 638-5200 or cmayhew@SmithRiverSportsComplex.com. 

Not Just a Sports Complex!

Do you know of all the fun activities you could do at the Complex? The Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC) is not just a sports complex, it is a family-friendly environment for fun, outdoor activities!

View of the Smith River off the overlook 

Like water? We have a canoe/kayak access point to the Smith River! Once you drive into the Complex, the river access is the gravel road on the left side by the Maintenance Facility. By the river, there is a large open field, a picnic table and a river overlook built by a local Boy Scout. This combination is perfect for a picnic before you paddle out on the river.

Don't miss the 6th Annual Smith River Fest on August 10th...it is happening right by the river at the Complex. This annual event is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. There will be plenty of vendors, a river race, the Helgramite Hustle 5k Mud Run, live music and so much more!

Like walking through the woods? We have wooded trails that run along the river. Why not come out to

Which way will you choose?

the Complex and explore where these trails lead! The easiest access is behind our concrete path by the pond. Walking through the woods will transport you deeper into nature.

If walking through the woods is not your cup of tea, we have our paved walking trails that lead you around the fields and along the Complex road. You can find a map of the trails here or at our kiosk on the SunTrust Pavilion in the Legacy Courtyard. The map is complete with mileage for the path you choose to take!

Like picnics? As we mentioned, our river access point has a picnic table, but we also have plenty picnic space in the main facility. We have two covered picnic shelters and an open air picnic area. Wherever you choose, it'll be a great time! If you'd like to host a party at the Complex in one of the picnic shelters, give us a call at 276-638-5200. Click here for more information about reserving your next event at the Complex.

One of our picnic shelters

Like indoor parties? We have a meeting room that's perfect for you! It is air-conditioned, which is perfect for summer parties, and private bathrooms. This space can be reserved for your next party, just call the Complex!

Design the meeting room to fit your needs!

Like giving something for the kids to do? Take them to the EVOS Playground. This play-system is specially designed to build upper body and core strength all while your child has fun! A synthetic play surface protects children if they fall. Picnic Shelter #2 is right next to the SunTek Family Pavilion; the perfect place for your little one's birthday party!

Spend time this summer at the EVOS play-system

Like doing unique activities? Come fly your miniature helicopters at the Complex. Today we had some high-flying helicopters fly over our fields. 

Kevin riding the tractor with a mini-helicopter above him!

Have an idea for a fun activity at the Complex? Give us a call at 276-638-5200! Visit our social media sites for current information on what's going on at the Smith River Sports Complex: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Always go to our website www.SmithRiverSportsComplex.com for all info relating to the SRSC.

Busy, Busy June

Wow! June was such a busy month for the Smith River Sports Complex. In the beginning of the month, we had the 3rd Annual Civil War Reenactment, Hammerhead Frenzy Youth Lacrosse Tournament, and the Delores Sullivan Kick for a Cure Soccer Tournament! Some new events came to the Complex later in the month...frisbees were thrown, faceoffs were challenged, and bags went flying. 

First up on June 22-23, the Savage Ultimate Tournament Series hosted their Old Dominion Qualifier at the Complex. The tournament featured 16 teams across 3 divisions: women's, open, and mixed. As a USA Ultimate sanctioned event, the Old Dominion Qualifier was one of three opportunities for teams to gain a spot in the Charleston Cup in August 2013. 

If you drove by or came to the Complex this past weekend, June 29-30, you would have seen TONS OF ACTION! The parking lot was packed, the fields were full, and the fun was abundant! Saturday began with the Cardinal Cup Lacrosse Classic tournament. 38 teams from all over Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina travelled to the Martinsville-Henry County area to play in games all weekend. Teams ranged in age from U11 to high school boys. The Cardinal Cup is a tournament series that hosts several youth lacrosse tournaments multiple times a year at the Complex. You can catch another Cardinal Cup event on November 2-3rd! 

Playing corn hole under the lights & on the turf!

That same night, the Smith River Sports Complex hosted their first ever self-organized tournament! The Summer Night Corn Hole Show Down was a HUGE success. We had 55 teams participating. Everyone had a great time pitching, playing, and hanging out with friends and family on the turf. It would not have been a huge success without all of our partners, so thank you!! Thanks to Board Member Tim Hall for emceeing! One more thanks to all of our staff and volunteers who helped make the event run smoothly and efficiently. Everyone keeps asking for another tournament and we hope to give you one in the fall! 

This coming weekend July 6-7, we are hosting the Martinsville Summer Madness Lacrosse Event. It's a reLAXing summer here at the Complex. 

Give us a call at 276-638-5200 for more information on any of our past, current, and upcoming events or visit www.SmithRiverSportsComplex.com! Want to see more pictures of the SAVAGE Ultimate Tournament series, the Cardinal Cup Lacrosse Classic, or the Summer Night Corn Hole Show Down check out our Facebook page or the photo gallery on our website! 

What's Been Happenin' at the Complex

Summer means outdoor activities and the Smith River Sports Complex is the perfect place to hang out.The first weekend in June was busy for the Complex! The month kicked off with a bang- literally!

The 3rd Annual Battle of Martinsville Civil War Reenactment, Encampment & Living History Weekend took place in our undeveloped property behind the maintenance facility. The battle was spread across two days, June 1 & 2. The weekend featured battles, full size guns, artillery, infantry, and cannons. It was tons of fun for all ages. Vendors were also set up to sell food and memorabilia from the Civil War. Those participating in the reenactment were wearing authentic uniforms and had true to the era campsites.

During the Civil War, people came to watch the battles and it was no different this past weekend! Many dressed in traditional clothing and watched the battles. 

The Confederate side getting ready to start their canon fire! 

Some of the onlookers were lacrosse players and parents from the Hammerhead Frenzy Youth Lacrosse Tournament. There were over 20 teams ranging in age from U-9 to U-15 playing on Saturday June 1. Lacrosse is a very fast-paced game with a very large following. Our parking lot was very full with many cars from North Carolina and Northern Virginia. The players and spectators were able to cool off from the heat in our Summerlin Legacy Courtyard thanks to our cooling misters. Tournament John Gilman said the tournament was very successful, "I want to thank you for a first class experience yesterday. Our patrons LOVED the facility and kept raving about the concessions, the friendly atmosphere and the well organized event."There will be plenty of opportunities this summer to check out more lacrosse action at the Complex! 

Players battling out on the turf!

To round out the weekend, the Smith River Sports Complex and the Smith River T-Ball League came out to the Martinsville Mustangs game for their $1 Monday night on June 3rd. The T-ballers had a chance to warm up the Mustangs prior to the game. They also ran the bases, stood on the field for the

National Anthem, and participated in fun games all night! It was a great event for the t-ballers and their families to spend the night at the ballpark. The Smith River Sports Complex was the non-profit partner for the game. We hope to see some of the skills the Mustangs taught the kids this Friday night June 7th at their T-ball games starting at 6:30!

For more information and pictures on these events, please visit our website www.SmithRiverSportsComplex.com or our Facebook page www.facebook/SmithRiverComplex!  

Kickin' Cancer

Delores Sullivan Kick For A Cure
24-Hour Soccer Tournament

The Smith River Sports Complex is very proud and honored to be hosting the Delores Sullivan Kick for a Cure  24-Hour Soccer Tournament on June 14-15, 2013.

This event is being held  to raise money for cancer research for the American Cancer Society.

Organized by Patrick Sullivan, son of Delores Sullivan who passed away from pancreatic cancer, the event will be a continuous 24-hour soccer game with a continuous score. The concession stand, restrooms and meeting room will be open throughout the duration of the game.

There will be a silent auction held in the Complex meeting room with items up for bid including soccer memorabilia signed by NCAA Division I soccer teams such as Duke University, the University of North Carolina, Clemson University, as well as items donated from area businesses.

The cost to enter the game is $100 per team, and players on the teams must be at least 5 years old to participate.

For more information about the game or to register a team--you must register by May 28!--contact Patrick Sullivan at litlpat@hotmail.com or 276-734-5298, or visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/deloressullivankickforacure. 

ReLAXin' at the Complex

Lacrosse Invades the Smith River Sports Complex

The Smith River Sports Complex has caught Lacrosse fever! In 2013, we have already hosted one lax tourney, the Pomerstone Classic held April 12-14, and we are gearing up to host 7 more tourneys throughout the rest of the year!

Coming up very soon is the Hammerhead Frenzy which will be held June 1-2. Two other summer tournaments include the Cardinal Cup with boys teams from U11-U18 on June 29-30, and the Martinsville Summer Madness, which is a college recruiting event from July 5-7.

Also in the fall, we will be hosting the Smith River Showdown, a boys and girls NCAA Division II and III recruiting tournament, the Hammerhead college club tournament, the Martinsville Melee high school boys team recruiting event, and the Cardinal Cup Fall Classic U11-U18 boys tournament.

For the Martinsville-Henry County area, lax is definitely a different kind of sport. It is sort of a mixture of football, tennis and soccer. It is a very fast-paced game that requires players' full attention, split second decisions, quick reflexes, and a great upper- and lower-body strength. 

For those of you who have never witnessed a lax event, make sure to come on out to the Smith River Sports Complex this summer and into the fall for all of our exciting events!

Play Ball!

Smith River T-Ball League!

For the second year, the Smith River Sports Complex is hosting the Smith River T-Ball League. The league was created to 4-6 year old kids to learn to play t-ball, make friends, and most of all to have fun!

This year we have had about 280 kids register to play! Our opening night was Friday, May 10, and the rest of the games will be played on Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. through the rest of May and June. 

We would like to send a big thank you out to all of our sponsors, volunteer coaches, parents, and the kids for playing!

So, make sure to come on out to the Complex on Friday nights to watch some t-ball, grab some food at the concession stand, and have a relaxing evening in the great outdoors!