HEALTH & WELLNESS | XL SOCCER
SOCCER FOR
EVERYONE
XL Soccer World Brings a World of Fun to Lake Nona BY AMADO J. BOBADILLA
T
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” says Charlie’s mom. “Yeah,” quips his dad. “Where else can you go for this kind of excitement, where the kids are having the time of their lives and learning life skills at the same time? It’s really fun for the whole family.” “And that’s just the point,” says Grace Bowman, General Manager of XL Soccer World Lake Nona. “What we’re about here is providing a place where families can hang out and build memories together as they engage in the fun and discipline of an incredibly exciting sport. Tots, kids, adults—all can experience the thrill of being on the field while their friends and family members cheer them on. We want XL Soccer World Lake Nona to be the
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place where people of all ages can come and experience the highlight of their day.” After an extremely successful run with their Winter Park facility, the company is opening their Lake Nona complex, the first of their 10 locations nationwide to be built from the ground up, rather than being a renovated tennis club or repurposed warehouse. XL Soccer World Lake Nona, Bowman says, will be a fully air conditioned, state-of-the art indoor soccer facility boasting two full-sized fields (with surrounding backboards) and equipped with fifth generation (5G) artificial turf that closely simulates the traction of natural grass. Electronic scoreboards that can be controlled by guests grace each field, and video recording and playback is available for all adult games. In addition, XL Soccer World Lake Nona boasts two full sized hardfloored courts for volleyball and futsal, a soccer-like game played
with a smaller, heavier ball that is more passing-intensive than regular soccer. In fact, they are the only fully air conditioned, dedicated hardfloored courts of their kind in Central Florida. There are ample locker room facilities and a spacious changing area. And, as a hat tip to the Lake Nona lifestyle, there is abundant bicycle parking for those who embrace an all-around athletic experience. For the fans, there is a leisure bar, restaurant and lounge area snuggled between the soccer fields and overlooking the Futsal courts, immersing guests in the action while allowing them to enjoy their favorite beverages and comfort foods as they cheer on their players from their full field viewing or strategically positioned large-screen TVs. “We want to provide a place where moms can bring the kids, socialize and share a glass of wine as they watch their kids’ teams play soccer,” Bowman says.
DENEE HICKMAN
he kids gather on the field for one last drive at the goal. Charlie has a corner kick. Hearts pounding, players on both sides anticipate. They’ve trained long and hard and it’s all come down to this. Parents, families and other onlookers cheer. The air is electric. Charlie sets the ball and team work takes it right to the goal for the final point. And the win.
