“ We knew we were on to something big when so many families of the Girard soccer community came out to help us paint , clean , cart materials and put up interior wall boards to get ready for the grand opening .”
Emma Ledbury Jones was influenced from an early age with two legacies from her father that would become lifelong passions : a love for soccer and the belief in Colossians 3:23 : “ Whatever you do , work at it with your whole heart .”
Her late father , Kenneth M . Ledbury , was an integral part of the local soccer community . He was one of four founding members of the Erie Youth Soccer Association in 1974 . A successful high school coach and college and high school referee , Ledbury continued to promote soccer programs and advance the sport until his death in 2005 .
“ I grew up surrounded by my dad ’ s energy , enthusiasm and passion for soccer ,” she says . “ His belief in the small-town athlete , whose passion is to work at the sport with all of his or her whole heart , has instilled in me the desire to carry on his legacy .”
So it ’ s not surprising that Jones is president and program director of West County ’ s newest training facility , 3:23 Athletics in Girard Township .
Inspired by her dad ’ s ideals , she and her husband Scott followed their hearts and vision to transform an empty warehouse into a fully functioning training facility , on Cross Station Extension , that provides year-round training opportunities for West County , school-age athletes in soccer , baseball , lacrosse , softball , football and archery . She and Scott have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response of so many people who want to see this training center thrive .
“ We knew we were on to something big ,” laughs Emma , “ when so many families of the Girard soccer community came out during February construction to help us paint , clean , cart materials and put up interior wall boards to get ready for the Grand Opening .”
The 60 x 80-foot center hosted its Grand Opening in October with a crowd of more than 300 who were eager to see the turf field , soccer nets , batting cages and red-andgold bumper walls . An upstairs loft provides a workout area , including a ping-pong table , where athletes can sharpen eye-hand coordination skills and build up strength .
Family members who are waiting while their kids practice are invited to sit and eat at the picnic table and enjoy the bird ’ s eye view of practice sessions where their kids are developing the techniques to be disciplined , competitive players .
The training center offers unique opportunities for young athletes who can practice with their school team or join the facility ’ s club soccer team , Girard United Soccer Club . “ We currently have 75 kids enrolled on eight club teams ranging from 1st grade through high school ,” Emma says . Their coach , Jason Tomlinson , brings to the field his experience as Girard ’ s head 7th and 8th grade boys coach and JV and assistant varsity coach . Year-round competition is available at local tournaments where teams can join the action and the fun of battling it out with players from around the area .
Athletic teams from around the area have been taking advantage of scheduling turf time at the center to remain competitive for upcoming seasons . “ Harbor Creek High School baseball , Millcreek travel softball , and Northwestern High School baseball have all been renting out the space ,” Emma says . “ The batting cages have been getting a real workout ,” she laughs .
“ We knew we were on to something big when so many families of the Girard soccer community came out to help us paint , clean , cart materials and put up interior wall boards to get ready for the grand opening .”
“ What ’ s so unique about this ,” Scott says , “ is all these kids from first grade in Girard through high school have the same coaches , same mentality , same strategic planning .”
This continuity of training and team building has had an enormous impact on the quality of skill development and competitive edge for these young athletes .
“ I have seen my son Anthony increase his soccer skill and confidence quadruple since he started training at 3:23 Athletics ,” says Mark Schiller . “ With increased training hours and exceptional coaching from the staff , he ’ s prepared to play with the best of them .”
Another unique aspect of the facility is the availability of experienced soccer coaches who are USSF licensed . The Penn State Behrend goalkeeper coach , Jake Dodd , directs Ignite GK at 3:23 Athletics , a Friday evening program designed to develop the skills specific to this position . Dodd holds three national NSCAA licenses and has coached more than 20 all-region selections and two Pennsylvania all-state high school goalkeepers .
Coach Lane King , USSF licensed , is the director of the Upper 90 Skills Academy that is open to any player who wants additional skill training with a focus on footwork and technical development .
For Scott , this venture is a natural extension of his involvement in local soccer . As current coach of 5th and 6th grade boys and the assistant coach of 7th and 8th grade boys at Girard Middle School , JV coach and assistant boys varsity coach at Girard High School , he brings to the table a well-rounded knowledge of soccer technique and the athletes who are learning it .
Emma is incredibly proud of her husband for the energy and focus he has invested into this program . And Emma and Scott share the excitement of other parents as they cheer from the sidelines since their three sons , Trevor , sophomore , Nathan , freshman , and Andrew , 6th grade , compete on school teams .
“ Shop . The . Box ” is yet another unique way the Joneses show their generosity and dedication so that all kids have the opportunity to train and play . Just inside the front door is a footwear recycle box where parents can place gently used cleats their kids have outgrown . Any player is welcome to take whatever is needed .
“ We want all kids to have a chance to play ,” Emma says . “ Money should never be a deterrent .”
A state-of-the-art video room allows coaches to evaluate training sessions with their athletes by downloading that session ’ s footage to discuss strategies and analyze team progress . Coaches can use the dry erase boards to do lineups , rosters , or drafting .
The back portion of the building houses the Joneses ’ business , KML Industrial Supply , which has been in their family since Ledbury founded it in 1987 .
“ My father-in-law ’ s passion was his business ,” Scott says , “ but his love was soccer .”
“ We love this place ,” Emma smiles . “ We live here , work here and are raising a family who go to school here . I have a compassionate heart for the small-town athlete who loves the sport and wants to dedicate time and energy into being the very best he or she can be . If given the chance , all kids can work hard and achieve success by putting their whole heart into it .” n
West County | Spring 2017 | icmags . com 11