South Lake Recreation, Inc. was formed in September 1996 to provide an IRS recognized 501-C 3 Not-For-Profit Corporation to support the local youth sports and recreation organizations in South Lake County. The goal was to bring together the youth programs for the purpose of reducing facility scheduling problems, diminish increasing insurance costs - medical and general liability, offer a tax deductible receipt for donations, have a centrally located information base of the different groups. Another purpose was to establish a common voice with the school facilities managers, school board, local, county and state governments. The objective was that the voice of South Lake Recreation would help in creating an influence for future facility growth in our area. South Lake Recreation’s Non-Profit status presents to the individual member organizations a vehicle to apply for grants, obtaining corporate donations and sponsors. South Lake Recreation while working towards these goals favored the individual member organizations to continue their independence and the control necessary to run and operate their programs. All are volunteers for South Lake Recreation, including  the many volunteers who put their time and effort into the programs not for compensation, but for the youth and their community.

        South Lake Basketball League was instrumental in obtaining the first donation allowing South Lake Recreation to Incorporate and 501 C-3 fees to be paid. Joining with the basketball league was Groveland Gator Football and Cheerleading creating the countywide support necessary for success and South Lake Recreation Inc. was born. In 1998 South Lake Recreation welcomed AAU Basketball to its ranks. In 1998 South Lake Recreation was granted acceptance for the Groveland Gator’s into Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading. Following the rules of Pop Warner South Lake Recreation along with the Gator name was granted the boundaries of South Lake High School and took on the name "South Lake Gator Football and Cheer" and later changed to the Eagles to Match the high school.

        South Lake Recreation currently has represented over 5800 boys, girls and their families in the greater South Lake County area since 1996. As the area grows so do the programs and opportunities for South Lake Recreation. 2001-2002 saw the creation of a tutoring program for the young adults needing help with schoolwork on Wednesdays after school. Another new program is the Flag Football along with the South Lake Pop Warner Eagles started in 2001. 2002 Adult Church Volley Ball was added and Adult 30 over Basketball. In 2001 and 2002, along with it's members, South Lake Recreation donated over $30,000 to the local schools for facility usage, athletic programs, supplies, special programs, camps and support.

        South Lake Recreation in partnership with East Ridge Varsity Basketball sponsored the first Christmas Basketball Tournament at East Ridge in 2004. Schools from all over Florida participated in the three day tournament. The second annual Christmas Tournament is scheduled this year 2005 at East Ridge and the yearly event shall continue to showcase the best schools in the area and state.

        South Lake Recreation continues to work with the High School coaches in special camps and training events such as Pole Vault City, Spring Break Basketball Camps and Saturday Basketball drill camps.  Further supporting the schools volunteers from South Lake Recreation and it's programs volunteer to assist the schools in clock running, maintaining scorebooks for events and activities, and refereeing to help out summer programs.

        As the communities and programs continue to grow, South Lake Recreation recognizes its responsibility to promote and support quality sports, recreation and special programs for the entire area. The goal of South Lake Recreation is to add member organizations. Bringing to members; support and consolidation of expenses, introduce ideas of operation, help with the training of coaches and managers. Establish a central location for information, record keeping and insurance coverage. Work to create better volunteers, develop quality sports officials, and bring into existence a better understanding between parents and organized sports. South Lake Recreation continues to coordinate and administer the use of facilities or facility.

        As South Lake Recreation continues to grows, it will formulate a competent political influence qualified to coordinate public and private funding for, sports, recreational and special projects. South Lake Recreation utilizing this strategy and practice will contribute to our community’s recreation and special programs support and influence, while providing for facilities and the long-term vision that will be the envy of neighboring towns and counties.

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