Post Your Game Photos to Patch

We welcome contributions from Patch readers.

If you frequently attend your child’s soccer game, football game or cross-country meet, why not submit your photos? Patch welcomes and encourages reader contributions, and you can help spread the word about your favorite local team’s win. It’s easy to post your announcement. Here’s how: If you have any questions, feel free to email Editor Jessie Biele at Jessie.Biele@patch.com. We look forward to seeing your game day photos!

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Robinson Unveils New Synthetic Turf Field

The new turf was installed in time for 2012 home opener at Coffey Stadium.

Robinson Secondary School and the Robinson Rams Athletics Boosters celebrated the installation of synthetic turf fields at Coffey Stadium during halftime of the Rams inaugural 2012 home football game Friday night against the TC Williams Titans. The Rams won the game 40-21, according to the Washington Post. A brief ceremony was held on the stadium field at halftime. Attendees at the ceremony included Virginia state Senators Chap Peterson and Dave Marsden, Delegate David Bulova, Braddock District Supervisor John Cook, Fairfax Athletic Council Member Marcia Pape, Fairfax County Parks Official Paul Jansen, as well as school personnel.   In addition, members from the Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC) and Northern Virginia Soccer League (NVSL), …

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No FCPS Athletic Fee in 2012-13

Playing on a team will be much more friendly to wallets.

Student-athletes in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) no longer have to pay a $100 athletic fee to play on a team. The School Board eliminated the fee as part of the FY2013 Budget it passed last spring. The elimination of the fee will result in a revenue reduction of $1.7 million annually, FCPS estimates. Athletes formerly had to pay $100 per sport, though the fee was capped at $200 even if a student was on three school sports teams. It was waived for students who qualified for free and reduced lunch. The fee was in effect during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years. The $1.7 will be made up with additional transfer money from Fairfax County.   

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Robinson Cross Country Begins Season

The boys and girls teams ran their first scrimmage at Burke Lake Park..

Robinson's boys and girls cross country participated in their first scrimmage of the season on Aug. 17. They ran the first two miles of the cross country course at Burke Lake Park against Chantilly, Lee, and Langley.  "For many, this was their first race experience and I think we learned a lot," said cross country head coach Kim Coffield. "Everyone showed us that they are right where we want them to be at this point in the season. We are looking forward to a great season from our runners." Nick Marshall and Ava Benham were named the first athletes of the week. "Marshall came back from a tough junior year, trained hard over the summer and started off his year with a great time trial," said Coffield. "We love that Nick has stuck with running…

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South County Athletics Hits the Ground Running

The Stallions are looking to capitalize last year's achievements.

The South County High School Stallions are back, working to capitalize on last year's stellar athletic season.  "District and Region championships has become part of our culture at South County," said Mike Pflugrath, director of student activities at South County High School. "Our school spirit is very high. Our student-athletes know they have the support of their classmates, the South County High School staff and community."   2011-12 Highlights The Stallions achieved much last year, including five Patriot District Championships in football, golf, girls indoor track, softball and girls outdoor track. And, there are only veteran head coaches this year. The football team even got to the state championship game, but fell to Phoebus 20-10.   …

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South County High School Football Schedule

The first scrimmage is this Friday.

Football season is back! Last year, the South County Stallions went all the way to the State Championship Game. How far will they get in 2012? Check out their schedule below:  Go Stallions!

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Russian Youth Baseball Players Compete with Fairfax Co. Little League Teams

A group of 29 Russian youth baseball players are playing against Fairfax County Little League teams for the next week.

Although they were almost 5,000 miles from home, the youth baseball players from St. Petersburg, Russia, could still understand a “ball” from a “strike” and proved they could hit some of the best pitches the U.S. Little League teams had to offer. A group of 29 Russian youth baseball players, along with their parents and coaches, are visiting and competing with Fairfax County Little League teams for the next week or so as part of a cultural exchange. It is the first time the St. Petersburg teams have visited the U.S. The exchange is part of the Russian government’s commitment to teaching baseball in school physical education classes and building some baseball fields. There are only a handful of fields around St. Petersburg and the coaches …

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Tech Trends

Technology for Enjoying the Summer Olympics

Tools for keeping current with your Olympic favorites.

Swimming, track and field, and gymnastics are classic Summer Olympic events. Who knew canoe and kayak, handball, and trampoline are as well? Beyond their playing surfaces, what is the difference between volleyball and beach volleyball? We’re about to find out, when the London Games begin on Friday, July 27 and end Sunday, August 12. The primary website, www.london2012.com, is the place to bookmark. Olympic Movement, NBC, ESPN and of course the BBC offer more content than you can consume. Summer Olympics assures variety with over 30 individual sports and glimpses into the preparation and endurance of the athletes who compete for their countries. 2012 marks the first fully digital Olympic games. Your SmartPhone and Tablet will let you see …

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Occoquan Fishing Report

The fish are biting and they are big.

Fishing reports from the Occoquan River and Reservoir are streaming in and the fish are biting. Some online reports have even shown fish up to six pounds being caught in the river near Bull Run. “It’s a remarkable season—one of the best in years,” said Charlie Taylor, a 73-year-old avid fisher and fishing blogger. “It (the reservoir) has better fishing than it has since the late 80s.” While largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike, and yellow perch are all plentiful in the river and reservoir, the blue catfish and northern snakehead fish are more plentiful than ever, said John Odenkirk, a biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and “the largemouth bass population has also …

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