Sports news and notes from the Tri-County Area

Cheerleaders needed for Special Olympics

Special Olympics Surry County needs more cheerleaders.

Practices are on Sundays at 2 p.m. The group's first competition is Feb 9 and the State Games will be held in March.

The volunteer head coach is Sarah Holleman. The team's assistant coaches are Dara Parson, Abby Axsom and Tammy Bryant.

Call 401-8236 for information, to volunteer or to help with team expenses.

Thundercats need players

The Carolina Thunder Cats fast-pitch softball organization has openings for quality 12U players for the 2008 season.

Call Donnie Moore at (864) 533-3005 or Dan Hughes at (864) 573-7581 for more information.

Spring soccer sign-ups

Surry County Parks and Recreation will hold sign-ups for its spring soccer program this month.

* Feb. 1-22 -- at the parks and recreation office (Government Center in Dobson), 8:15 a.m. until 5 p.m.

* Feb. 23 -- at Fisher River Park (concession shelter), 9 a.m. until noon.

Here are the leagues being offered:

* Instructional League Soccer (4-5 year olds): A player cannot turn 6 before March 1 and must be 4 before March 1 to participate

* Pee Wee Division (U-8): A player cannot turn 9 before March 1 and must be 5 before March 1.

* Division I (U12): A player cannot turn 13 before March 1

* Division II (U14): A player cannot turn 15 before March 1

The registration fee is $35. Anticipated game days are Saturdays, Tuesdays and Sundays. The season will last 8-10 weeks. Practice nights will vary.

For more information, contact Surry County Parks and Recreation at 401-8236

Starmount planning annual kicking camp

The 16th annual Starmount Kicking Clinic will be Saturday, April 5 from 8:45 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Instruction in place-kicking, punting and snapping will be provided by Carol A. White (former coach at Georgia Tech and current director of the Auburn Kicking Academy) and a group of North Carolina and Georgia players active at colleges in the Southeast.

This one-day clinic is designed as a supplement to spring football workouts and as a means to encourage the development of shared practicing throughout the summer months. Graduating seniors should plan to attend.

White is the first woman to actively coach at the Division I-A level, working with Billy Curry and Bobby Ross at Georgia Tech.

The cost for the camp is $40 for place kickers and punters and $35 for snappers. Lunch will be provided.

For more information about the clinic, contact Starmount head coach Scott Johnson or assistant coach Joe Hutchens (468-2891, 468-8686). For more information on White, call 1-706-549-2695 or 1-404-351-8991, or visit the Web at www.kick-aid.com.