i have finally figured out my issue with the villages non golf recreation
 

The rec center activity selections are as cookie cutter as the houses. The villages might be developing for the future migration of boomers and others, but they are not diversifying to the outside activities of the future generations with sports like soccer/ flag football, lacrosse, etc Soccer pitch is why I purchased in Marsh bend. Soccer is an international sport, i have played pickup and organized leagues most of my life as a 11/12th generation american, meaning not a european transplant, I have played pick up in different areas of the country, when i travel on business, including south florida. In the last two decades, i have played outdoor pickup with women who have tried out for the national team, and men who were all americans in college. . . and internationals from europe and south america. On sundays, in massachusetts, there are hundreds of league games in under 30, under 40, under 50 and under 60 leagues. I have playedin the over 30 and over 40 leagues as well as refereed some of the women's league games on sunday morningn

The new rec centers have the same "older generational" sports like shuffleboard, which I thought died in the 70's. . . TV could use a second multi purpose field for the younger generations who grew up with Title 9, with also playing soccer, and flag football leagues, lacrosse, etc Also, kickball is growing again, lacrosse is growing, with professional leagues. . . .

So having 1 full field for soccer, flag football, and lacrosse for the entire "village" is pretty short sighted for future generations desiring to move to an active lifestyle.

but then i did grow up near "Title Town," so my under 30 life was all sports in my free time, coaching, playing, refereeing, supporting, etc.

sportsguy

I would think as there is growth and a demand , they will provide, can you honestly say you need more now and that the field is overused?

Played hockey and Was regional referee, For 40 years, but I’m thinking a rink is not in the near future

I think there should be pool tables and tennis courts at every rec center, but I didn’t build the place so I have make do. I do agree that future villager’s may not have the 50’s and 60’s retirement mentality?

Grew up playing soccer and rugby, and in those times couldn't imagine never playing the game again.
But I knew when to call it a day, both physically and aesethically.
Oldies just look sad oldies, when trying to recapture their sporting youth.
JMHO

plenty of softball fields in TV for playing kickball

Really??
 

I drive by the soccer field daily and have never seen anybody WAITING for their turn on the soccer field. It's THERE! Is your complaint that there are not enough soccer fields or that there isn't enough interest from the residents that you can join the activity when YOU want to??
Go to the sport pools at Water Volleyball time and see how many people are enjoying the amenity, or go to the softball fields in the morning to see the same atmosphere.

My suggestion is to organize a league for the sport that you wish to play. Once enough players join that the facilities are falling short, you can request construction of additional facilities.

Soccer in the Villages...will they allow golf carts on the pitch so those who are challenged can kick the ball their arthritic feet?

Well, i did say it was my problem, and no one else's. The soccer club is on hiatus due to the pandemic, but my point was unclear. The soccer club during the week actually plays next to the polo fields on a makeshift field, and on sunday's at everglades. With only one field, the development nearly, if not completely doubling, the current drive is 30 minutes+ from some parts to the everglades field. From a long term development point of view, i hope that the developer builds another multi purpose field for the future generations who will come with other outdoor activities. And in the northeast, there are plenty of people playing in the over 60 league. Doug Flutie played on a team in the game ahead of us, in a division higher than us, in the under 40 league.

Hey if Brett Favre can put on copper fit and still play, so can we!
:1rotfl:

Now that the new Villages emergency room is open on 44 they can start using the soccer field.

I respect that everyone has different recreational desires, but the Villages is a place designed for 55+ seniors. I think the average age is a little north of 65. Soccer, flag football, and lacrosse are all sports I used to really enjoy playing, but old knees, hips, and backs prohibit most seniors from participating in such activities. In my opinion, the villages needs more sports pools so older folks, with aching joints, can participate in non weight bearing activities such as lap swimming. I understand that future generations might enjoy different activities than prior generations, but everyone’s bodies begin to break down as they age, regardless of their generation.

I would love to play racquetball again but prefer to walk the golf course tomorrow....

How about a paint ball shooting arena? That should be a big hit, with the whippersnappers...

Too much soccer already.

For the next gen residents, maybe add some group phone charging stations

Atv/utv
 

We have and ride a UTV (side by side). I wish there was more interest in off reading in the Villages so that we could ride as a group. There are so many riding places nearby....Ocala National Forest as well as Crooms.
Would love to introduce others to the sport.

Playing Soccer at 50+
 

Many are fit in this community a lot are not. I would like to think at 75 I am fit.. but I am not sure that many of us want to play Soccer, or LaCrosse etc., at 50+. Are you suggesting the may lower the entry age to the villages. Its bad enough with some "newbies" attitude to us "old folk" as I was called.

FYI Pickleball is so popular here as the court is about half the size of a tennis court with almost always 4 folk.. easier game, more fun. Softball here has special rules for our ages to prevent some accidents.

Too many people think they are fit, and can play all the games they did 40 years ago. I applaud them for trying BUT....that is why we get many injuries in our sports, when they run when they should not.

You deserve to have sport facility for these things, BUT just remember this as an example. Where ever I play pickleball there are always 2 or more tennis courts adjacent.. ALWAYS EMPTY,( except Saturdays!!) while we line up in droves to play. Be warned if your facility is un-used there will be complaints. They may fall on deaf ears, as you say the villages does not seem to listen.. Welcome to retirement....

Pickleball courts will get way more use than tennis courts. It is the fastest growing sport, especially for those over 60.

One thing that needs to be considered are indoor pools, maybe 3 of them, one near each of the squares. Many people are intolerant of the sun and can’t use outdoor pools. Some winter days are too cold to swim outdoors. Just my opinion.

Indoor pools would be fantastic. And how about putting a pool at the charter school so Laural Manor can be fully used for Village Residents.

You are so right. Just like the music that is played or sung by visiting bands. I stay current with music. People here live in the past and it's really old and boring. I hope when they go, the music goes with them. But, everything here is controlled. It's really quite repulsive.

So OP to sum it up:

The non golf rec activities are tailored to meet the target audience and you do not like this/think it is a good idea/suggest a non golf rec activity that does not meet the majority target demographics needs?

Not starting an argument or attacking your position just trying to understand your position.

Well, before you bury all of us boomers in our grave and replace us with 30 and 40 year olds, you might want to keep in mind, the vast majority of us, despite the fact we’re seniors, still have a long way to go. And maybe your bones and muscles haven’t aged, but a lot of us are already in the replacing parts mode. Besides, by the time we kick off, our senior kids will be the ones replacing us.

Although soccer is an international sport and is possibly the most popular sport worldwide, it has never really caught on in the USA as neither a participant nor a spectator sport. This is true in spite of the fact that there have been organizations trying to force it upon out kids from very early ages.

Somehow certain groups have been trying to convince parents that it is much nicer to have your kids playing soccer than the four major sports that are popular in this country.

Fyi Incase someone wants to try something different.

Touch Tennis is big in Europe. Similar court size a Pickleball and can be played here on the Platform Tennis courts.

What is TouchTennis? - Sportsver

there is/was a weekly flag football game that drew maybe 10-15 guys each week - pre-covid

As soon as this Pandemic is over I am going to make a sign and picket Laurel Manor until they get a pencil sharpener in the art room. Also missing is an outside place for us "Plein Air" painters.

Not.

Things are fine. It is fine. I am fine.

It is another lovely day in The Villages. A-O.K. PERFECT. I just can't make that hand sign with a circled forefinger and thumb palms up. Someone said it was racist to do that anymore. Seems silly to me.. But things are fine..GREAT. Except for the Pandemic which I am very tired of and that damned virus.

Sounds like TV’s life style is not for you.....perhaps it’s time to move where all the other jocks retired to.

I totally second that idea, the Villages Charter School swim team monopolizes the lap swimming time away from amenity fee paying Villagers. And with Covid, I am not going near that place after a bunch of teenagers have been using the facility.

I play golf in 2 leagues and the average age is 70's + ! How many people in their 70's are playing soccer, lacrosse or kickball? I noticed you mentioned 60's and UNDER? as the top age for these sports? I never saw a 70's+ group playing these sports and maybe that is why there are so few fields available?

Must be wonderful to be so gifted. Soccer? Have at it.

They have year round ice in Minnesota !
Realistically maintaining ice on Florida is expensive.
Roller hockey is viable.

Start a 7 V 7 league. Smaller field, smaller goals. Can’t see many seniors making 60 yard runs down field!
I do agree that the amenities must be upgrade. Keeping in mind that that while not packed bocci and shuffleboard still get used. Water Volleyball is a blast.

The original post sounds more like a braggadocious resumé than a complaint.

Hmmm 30 minutes would cover the farthest and oldest parts of villages
 

if you come from the northeast as I do ( Boston ) even a short trip in car can be 30 minutes There is plenty of land here in the south for more fields if needed for younger villagers. I wonder if your more interested in using your athletic achievements to shame us villages that don’t want to play soccer or flag football . I’m 81 , run ,bike and go to gym everyday , I stopped those games many years ago not because I couldn’t play but because the risk didn’t equal the rewards over 60 good luck though keep your ACL loose

Well said. I have found that too many fellows are taking testosterone supplements. It makes their mouths work excessively.

Hey I use to be into power lifting but it seems that all my muscles fell down 😂😂😂

I know soccer has become more popular, but football is still king in America. Soccer was interduce to public schools years a go to keep our kids from becoming obese, also was a safer sport then some others and could played by all ages.:ho:

you have an option