+ SPH TO BECOME NEW HOME OF MIAMI FC

Mayor Steve Losner, the Homestead City Council, and leaders of the Sports Performance Hub (SPH) today came together for a formal signing ceremony at Homestead City Hall, officially launching one of the most ambitious sports and community development projects in South Florida history. The Sports Performance Hub will establish a state-of-the-art campus in Homestead that blends professional sports, youth academies, wellness, hospitality, and community infrastructure into one inclusive, world-class destination.

“This is a transformative day for Homestead as we activate a community asset in Homestead Regional park,” says Homestead Mayor Steve Losner. “By partnering with the visionary leaders behind SPH, we’re creating new opportunities for our residents — from professional sports and entertainment to youth development and community programs. Homestead is proud to be the home of this bold, community-centered project all achieved at no cost to our taxpayers.”

SPH shareholders and executives, including Darío Sala, Juan Mónaco, Gastón Remy, Mariano Zabaleta, and Emiliano Fernández Balague, joined the City of Homestead to sign the agreement. Together, they reaffirmed their commitment to building a long-term, 

privately funded sports, entertainment, and wellness ecosystem rooted in South Dade.

Riccardo Silva, SPH Co-Founder, concluded: “From club ownership to global partnerships, I’ve seen how the sports industry can drive transformation. SPH is a winning model — and Homestead will be at the center of it.”

“Today’s signing is more than a contract — it’s a commitment to the people of Homestead,” says Darío Sala, Co-Founder of SPH. “We’re building a hub for sports excellence, education, and community pride that will benefit this region for generations.”

The Sports Performance Hub is a groundbreaking destination that merges elite sports, education, wellness, and inclusive community infrastructure into a single, state-of-the-art campus. Unlike traditional stadium projects, SPH will encompass a professional training academy, youth boarding school, public sports and recreation facilities, a sports-themed hotel, and a 10,000-seat multi-purpose stadium — all at no cost to the City. The venue will serve as home to professional sports teams, the historic Homestead Championship Rodeo, and diverse community programming, establishing itself as a vital engine of economic growth and opportunity.

Miami FC also announced the exciting news during the signing ceremony that Sports Performance Hub in Homestead will be the home of both the training facilities and the future stadium for the team. 

Deputy CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer of United Soccer League (USL) Justin Papadakis added, “Miami FC’s move to Homestead and the vision behind this new stadium development represents a tremendous step forward for the club and professional soccer in South Florida. We’re seeing incredible momentum across the USL as communities invest in world-class facilities that elevate the experience for both fans and players. With Miami joining cities like Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Sacramento in building new homes — and the World Cup coming to our backyard next summer — excitement around soccer in this country has never been stronger.”

“This is the start of a new chapter for South Dade,” added Juan Mónaco, SPH Co-Founder. “We are proud to bring together the mindset of champions with a vision of 

inclusion and opportunity for this community.”

Gastón Remy, Co-Founder, emphasized: “This is a project rooted in purpose. We are combining global entrepreneurship with social impact, and bringing world-class infrastructure to a deserving community.”

The signing cements Homestead as the future home of a global model for innovation in sports and community development — with economic growth, youth empowerment, and social impact at its core.

About Sports Performance Hub (SPH)

The Sports Performance Hub of Miami-Dade, based in the City of Homestead, Florida, is a pioneering initiative created by a collective of global athletes and entrepreneurs. SPH blends elite sports academies with education, wellness, hospitality, and community programming, designed to uplift the region through job creation, economic impact, and youth development. Together, the SPH Co-Founders have shaped a platform that connects sports, business, education, and community — making South Dade a model for innovation and inclusion in the global sports economy.

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More than 75 local high school students and about a dozen community volunteers gathered this weekend to help beautify Chollas Creek Park and Hawk Project Park in a cleanup effort led by the Urban Collaborative Project, the Harvey Family Foundation, and partners including I Love a Clean San Diego, who organizes the annual Coastal Cleanup Day, San Diego’s largest single-day environmental cleanup effort in and around San Diego County.

“This cleanup is long overdue,” said Barry Pollard, CEO of the Urban Collaborative Project. “It’s good to see the residents coming up. You know, there’s kids that are cleaning up, and that’s what it needs. I want this to be more frequent. If at all possible, bring yourselves out here and help.”

The event marked the first community cleanup for the group in the corridor, which spanned Market Street, 47th Street, Imperial Avenue, and Euclid Avenue. Arman Harvey, Executive Director of the Harvey Family Foundation, said the goal is to “beautify the community” while also building a culture of care and responsibility. “Our community is beautiful, but we have to come together to maintain it. We deserve to be in a beautiful community,” Harvey said.

Youth participation was a key focus. Marilaine Kateroque of the Urban Collaborative Project emphasized that the work done by local students—including those from Morse High School, Lincoln High School, and the Elementary Institute of Science—is being recorded for potential school credit. Those credits will also prove helpful for future college applications.

It is evident that the participating students were not just volunteers; they are the next generation of leaders, stepping up to care for their community. And community organizations like the Urban Collaborative and The Harvey Foundation are there to help shepherd the way.

For full stories and photos only published in print, pick up a paper at a newsstand near you, or check out the latest edition of our newspaper on Thursday each week. 

Related

Key Takeaways

• The NBA and UK government each contribute £5 million toward recreational basketball expansion in England
• Investment targets women, girls, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities through new courts and programs
• NBA fandom among UK adults has grown 24% over the past three years
• Six NBA regular season games planned for Europe over three seasons, starting January 2025
• Potential pan-European NBA league could launch in 2027 or 2028

Strategic Partnership Takes Shape

The National Basketball Association and UK government announced a joint £10 million ($13.7 million) investment to expand recreational basketball opportunities across England. The partnership, revealed Wednesday, splits funding equally between both parties and focuses specifically on building courts and creating more playing opportunities for underrepresented groups.

The collaboration follows a July meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at Downing Street, where both leaders “agreed to work together on the growth of basketball in the U.K. and potential future investment opportunities around NBA Europe.”

Targeting Underserved Communities

The investment specifically prioritizes access for women, girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum emphasized the initiative’s community focus, stating the partnership aims to “provide safe spaces for people of all backgrounds and abilities to learn and play the game.”

Basketball ranks as the second-most popular team sport among young people in England, according to government data. The sport’s growing appeal extends beyond youth participation, with NBA fandom among UK adults increasing 24% over the past three years.

European Expansion Plans

The announcement comes as the NBA accelerates its European presence. Commissioner Silver indicated Tuesday that a joint NBA-FIBA European league could begin play in 2027 or 2028. The league would operate separately from existing domestic competitions while bringing NBA-affiliated professional basketball to European markets.

Supporting this expansion, the NBA will play at least six regular season games across Europe over the next three seasons. The schedule begins with Memphis Grizzlies versus Orlando Magic matchups in Berlin on January 15 and London on January 18. Manchester will host an NBA game during the 2026-27 season.

Looking Ahead

This partnership represents a significant commitment to grassroots basketball development within the NBA’s broader European strategy. The investment addresses participation gaps while building fan engagement ahead of potential professional league expansion.

The government and NBA have committed to exploring additional games beyond the initial six-game European slate, suggesting this partnership extends well beyond the current three-year timeline.

YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.

via: SI

photo: Basketball Sphere

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The Northwest Colorado Sportsman’s Banquet returns Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Boys & Girls Club of Craig, as it carries forward a two-decade tradition of supporting local youth who are interested in outdoor pursuits by putting decision-making and funding in local hands. 

The event begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.

Dinner this year features catering by Oasis Bar & Grill operators Nick and Karen Maneotis. 

What began roughly 20 years ago as the Craig chapter of Friends of National Rifle Association has evolved into a homegrown effort in the form of Heritage Fundraising, which is a 501(c)(3) that was created to keep proceeds and decision-making within the community. The group’s leadership noted that despite the shift away from the NRA, the mission to fund youth programs, and outdoor education while strengthening the ties that bind Moffat County, remains the same.

“This has been a great learning experience to rebuild at a grassroots level,” said JB Chapman of Chapman’s Automotive, who now chairs the banquet committee. “Once folks heard what it was and where we are today, they didn’t care about the label. They were here for the right reasons, which were to support our youth and their pursuits in the outdoors.”

For years, the local banquet operated under a national package of auction items, insurance and purchasing rules. That structure changed as national policies shifted how funds were pooled and dispersed, said longtime organizer and shooting sports coach Wade Gerber.

Gerber entered the fundraising effort after working to secure annual grants for 4-H shotgun, an event where costs for ammo and equipment can be a barrier for some. He served on the committee alongside other instrumental members like Virginia Pugh. When Gerber recently decided to step back as he launched a distillery, Chapman made the decision to step in.

“The nice part now is that instead of spending all that money with a national package, we can go to local vendors for prizes and supplies,” Gerber said. “It keeps more of the money in circulation here in town. Overall, it’s a much better fit for Craig and the kids.”

The local turn also broadens where and how funds can be applied. 

Chapman said organizers are exploring ways to support firearms safety and hunter education in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club, opening doors for youth who might not otherwise have access.

“We’ll have guidelines on where funds go, but the goal of creating a local legacy is the same,” he said. “We’re passing on to the next generation and doing it with local decision-making for local benefit.”

Attendance has ebbed and flowed over time. Gerber recalled a high near 270 seated diners, though recent years have seen numbers around 180. Despite the shifts, the organization’s fundraising formula and common purpose remain similar to the original event.

Organizers expect 30 to 35 live auction items, about half of which are firearms, alongside locally donated goods in both the live and silent auctions. A crowd-favorite is the “bucket” drawings, which are 40-plus packages of hats, tow straps, gift cards, tickets and fun experiences. At the door, a “$100 table” offers 12 tickets for a 1-in-12 drawing on a featured firearm. The “Guns N’ Roses” game pairs a rose purchase with a ticket, which both Gerber and Chapman said is a nod to date night as much as fundraising. The gun safe giveaway returns this year as well, which often comes with a “surprise” inside.

“It’s a Yampa Valley event,” Chapman said. “We’ve got card games, fun packages, a lively auction and a lot of community pride in one room.”

Behind the scenes, the pivot from a national package to a locally built auction increased the workload while also increasing the sense of local control. 

“It took a lot of communication and more boots on the ground,” Chapman said. “The encouraging thing is young people in their 30s are already asking to serve next year. They love what this has done for the community and want to carry the torch.”

Within the shift, Gerber sees the payoff in the faces of young shooters. He has coached shotgun for 18 years and estimates he worked with about 75 kids. For him, it’s not just about smiles and the sense of accomplishment, it’s about an outcome that involves fostering stewardship, responsibility and leadership. 

He added that Moffat and Routt counties continue to send strong contingents to shooting competitions. 

“I’d guess somewhere around 20 kids from Moffat County have gone to national finals across the shooting sports,” he said. “It’s something to be proud of.”

Organizers say the same qualities that help kids succeed in the field including responsibility, consistency and peer connection, translates into success in the classroom and community as well.

“These programs are tools to develop well-rounded, productive citizens,” Chapman said. “Peer-to-peer interaction matters. When you give kids responsibility, whether that’s safe firearms handling or showing up for practice, you’re training tomorrow’s leaders.”

The night itself is deliberately family-friendly, with youth games and drawings running alongside the local 4-H club handling bussing tables and cleanup as part of its annual service project. 

“They take ownership,” Gerber said. “The first year they asked what to do and now they’re spot on and have it all figured out.”

Local businesses remain key from donated items to in-kind support. Murdoch’s of Craig, for example, helps make the annual gun safe giveaway possible and distributors such as Wild Wings work with the committee on auction firearms that fit a community fundraiser.

For Chapman, the deeper meaning behind the event is linked to place. 

“Whenever we make Moffat County decisions for Moffat County, Moffat County wins,” he said. “The Yampa Valley has become a great place to work together and we’re grateful we get to pass on who we are to our children and grandchildren.”

A cash bar will be available. Individual tickets and sponsored tables are on sale and organizers say seats are moving quickly. Payment by cash, check or credit card is accepted.

For more information, or to buy tickets, call JB Chapman at 970-846-2671, Wade Gerber at 970-629-2305, or Craig Rummel at 970-824-7538. 

Joan Margaret Johnson Cichos (“Peach”), our beloved mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in Rexburg, Idaho, on September 23, 2025, surrounded by her family.    She was a member of the Catholic Church.

Peach was born on May 17, 1946, to Les and Leonna Johnson in Jamestown, North Dakota.  She married her high school sweetheart, Donald Richard Cichos, on July 2, 1966.   Don passed away on April 29, 1998, leaving Peach to live alone for over 27 years.  Our family is grateful that Joan and Don will be together again.

Joan and Don married at a young age and left Jamestown, North Dakota, heading to Seattle with all of their belongings (and no money) in their car.  They lived in Seattle, Denver, and Salt Lake before arriving in Rexburg in 1985 to purchase the local McDonald’s.  Joan would always work to help support her family, and though Don was often the face of the family business, Joan was always in the background, providing invaluable skills and support.  She would often share with all of the employees that “she was the one who signed the checks.”   

Peach loved her family.  She dedicated her life to caring for, loving, and supporting her family.  She always provided her unconditional love and support –never hesitating to share her honest opinion (even to those who didn’t ask).  Peach would always, always, put her family before herself.  
Community was always important to Peach and her family.  She was involved in youth sports, local nonprofit organizations, various charitable causes, and working with the City of Rexburg to develop the Donjo sports complex.  

Peach loved sports.  She would make an instant connection with anyone who talked sports, especially the University of Utah.  She loved to play golf, watch college football and basketball, and generally follow all sports on television.

She was the youngest of four girls and survived by her children, Todd (wife, Carla) Cichos, of Corona, CA; Troy (wife, Stacie) Cichos, of Bellevue, WA; Trent (wife, Karie), of Rexburg, ID; Tyson (wife, Rebecca) Cichos, of Salt Lake City, UT; sisters Carol Karstens and Leslie Flyr; twelve grandchildren (Tara Casperson, Tyler Cichos, Toni Ann Latu, Shelby Cichos, Taylor Rammell, Parker Cichos, Hallie Backstein, Ashton Cichos, Samantha Cichos,  Aurora Cichos, Paxton Cichos and AJ Cichos and eleven great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, sister (Linda Hansted), and parents.  

The family would also like to thank the residents and staff at the Homestead for the love and care they provided Peach since 2019.

A public viewing will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Flamm Funeral Home, 61 North 1st East in Rexburg.  A private family cemetery service will be held in Rexburg on Monday, September 29, 2025.  

Because of Peach’s commitment to supporting the local community, in lieu of flowers we ask that you consider a donation to your favorite charity in her name or to the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Idaho Falls, Idaho. 

Service will be broadcast at: https://my.gather.app/remember/joan-cichos 

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Joan Cichos, please click here to visit our sympathy store.