Nathan Fox, Vice President with the Kemmerer Athletics and Recreation Association (KARA) spoke with SVI about their ongoing efforts which includes an upcoming hockey season and fundraising efforts. Fox also spoke about the organization’s first youth soccer season which took place this fall.
“It was excellent, this fall we were able to have outdoor soccer of the first time,” he said. “We are grateful for the city of Kemmerer for helping us with registration and equipment. Our volunteers organized all the programs and we had more than 60 kids participate and we had excellent feedback from parents this season. We will continue to have soccer for four-year olds up to fifth grade in the spring.”
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As the weather shifts from fall to winter, the second season of youth hockey is now waiting in the wings with some new developments.
“We were able to get an awesome donated rink from the Douglas Hockey Club,” Fox explained. “The city is helping us get the land ready for that so we can have hockey this season. It will be located on the south side of the Events Center. People can look for signups now and that will run for about a month so we can make sure we have all the equipment. Sign ups are at kemmerersports.com.”
Fox noted that the start of the season is obviously weather dependent but the hope is the first or second week of January.
Although some may be familiar with KARA, it may also be new enough that many in the community are unfamiliar with the aim and focus of the group.
“It’s a new organization that’s focused on creating community in the Kemmerer area thorough recreation,” Fox stated. “We are trying to improve youth sports and opportunities with some new offerings. In the future we would like to grow into adult opportunities and leagues. We try and tackle some of the challenges that can happen in small towns in youth sports. We may have only a handful of coaches who know how to coach soccer and hockey so we are working this in divisions to help grow knowledge. To be an assistant you don’t need to know much but you will learn from the other coaches. We are trying to remove that roadblock as they learn as we go.”
For those wishing to aid the group, the new Kara cards are now for sale out in the community.
“This year we are trying to do what we are calling a KARA card in the Kemmerer and Diamondville area,” Fox continued. “There are 20 companies with a variety of savings and services for $25 and are on sale now. There are all sorts of different offers on there. The savings are well worth it and we are hoping to give back to the community at the same time.”
For those wishing to get involved, Fox said they can contact him via e-mail and also learn more on the group’s website.
“Anyone can get me at NathanF@kemmerersports.com,” he concluded. “Our board meetings are the first and third Tuesday of the month at the high school library. They can e-mail me or go to our website at kemmerersports.com and they can look to contact us and get involved.”