KK Athletics in Farmingville launched glow-in-the-dark soccer for kids
Glow-in-the-dark soccer play, for $15 and hour, is open to children ages 6 to 15 at KK Athletics in Farmingville. Credit: KK Athletics / Kurt Kelley
The traditional black and white soccer ball turns neon green or orange on Saturday nights at KK Athletics in Farmingville, when kids play glow-in-the-dark soccer.
In addition to kicking glowing balls, the players wear glow-in-dark yellow or orange pinnies. “It’s all UV lights,” says KK Athletics co-owner Kurt Kelley. “It’s not pitch-pitch black for safety reasons. It’s dark enough where you definitely get the effect.”
The kids play on an indoor field about the size of a basketball court with padded walls.
The venue started offering weekly glow-in-the-dark soccer in December, and after March 24 will be switching to the second and last Saturdays of each month. Kelley says it’s the novelty that attracts players. “It’s that glow factor that definitely is intriguing,” he says. “It’s also a night event. A lot of kids don’t have a lot to do at night, especially in the winter.”
Play is open to those from age 6 to 15, and Kelley recommends registering in advance to guarantee a spot because only about 20 kids can play during each session.
Different ages play in separate one-hour slots — ages 6 to 8 at 6 p.m., 8 to 10 at 7 p.m., 10 to 12 at 8 p.m. and 13 to 15 at 9 p.m. Kids are rotated into seven- to eight-minute matches of five vs. five players.
Play costs $15 an hour per player. The venue also offers glow-in-the-dark soccer for private team events and birthday parties, and is considering offering glow-in-the-dark dodgeball, Kelley says.
KK Athletics is at 755 Horseblock Rd. For more information, call 631-736-2511 or visit KKAthletics.com.
Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. She’s been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.
