Sports

Amelia Island Youth Soccer Club and other local soccer fans pack Mocama on Friday night to watch the USA men’s national team open 2026 World Cup play against Paraguay. USA won 4-1. Submitted photo

Amelia Island Youth Soccer Club and other local soccer fans pack Mocama on Friday night to watch the USA men’s national team open 2026 World Cup play against Paraguay. USA won 4-1. Submitted photo

AISC, locals celebrate USA 4-1 first-game win

Ashley Chandler
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Late Friday night, around the time Mocama on 8th Street typically closes down, a crowd of locals were gathered for a night of world-class soccer featuring America’s best.The United States Men’s Soccer team did not disappoint, opening World Cup group play with a 4-1 win over Paraguay.
Local youth take part in the Amelia Island Surf Co. summer surf camp. Photo by Brian Bowen

Local youth take part in the Amelia Island Surf Co. summer surf camp. Photo by Brian Bowen

Respect the ocean’s power

Nick Blank
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
In Fernandina Beach, the next generation of surfers is being taught the art form and learning to respect “the ocean’s power,” according to a surf camp instructor.Scott Kellogg, Amelia Island Surf Co. co-owner, has run the surf camp since 2004.
The Gumball 3000 Skate Showcase and equipment giveaway was held June 5 at Poe Pinson Skate Park. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Gumball 3000 Skate Showcase and equipment giveaway was held June 5 at Poe Pinson Skate Park. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Gumball 3000 joins local groups to boost local skate community

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The Gumball 3000 rolled through Amelia Island over the weekend, bringing a super car rally downtown and an event at Main Beach that gave a significant boost to the local skate community.
From left, Ryan Mack, Scott Kellogg, Brian Bowen and Ben Gravy at the festival in 2025. Submitted photo

From left, Ryan Mack, Scott Kellogg, Brian Bowen and Ben Gravy at the festival in 2025. Submitted photo

Amelia Island skate and surf film festival goes international

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Amelia Island officially has another international event.From 1 p.m. until late at night on June 20, skaters, surfers, film-makers and celebrities will converge on Amelia Island to celebrate the culture around skate and surfing films and the sports themselves.
Mikaela Nichols runs in a track meet at Yulee High School in March. Nichols is one of 10 recipients of the 2026 AAU National Scholarship. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Mikaela Nichols runs in a track meet at Yulee High School in March. Nichols is one of 10 recipients of the 2026 AAU National Scholarship. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Lady Pirate runner receives nationwide $10,000 scholarship

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
A Fernandina Beach High School studentathlete is one of 10 U.S. athletes to receive a 2026 AAU National Scholarship. Local track and cross country standout Mikaela Nichols received one of the $10,000 scholarships awarded to five female and five male athletes by The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
A foursome competes during Par for a Purpose. Submitted

A foursome competes during Par for a Purpose. Submitted

Micah’s Place hosts second annual ‘Par for a Purpose’

Nick Blank
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Thirty-six golfers made their way to the Omni last month to participate in a charity golf tournament to raise money for a local domestic violence nonprofit. On May 22, Micah’s Place hosted its second annual “Par for a Purpose” held at the Golf Club of Amelia Island.
Cody Ogburn, No. 58, and Jaison Brown, No. 8 celebrate in a game during the 2025 season. Both Ogburn and Brown will be seniors this Fall. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Cody Ogburn, No. 58, and Jaison Brown, No. 8 celebrate in a game during the 2025 season. Both Ogburn and Brown will be seniors this Fall. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Hornets emerge in Spring

Nick Blank
Friday, May 29, 2026
The Yulee Hornets triumphed in their spring football contest on the road over Tocoi Creek last week, providing coaches a chance to see what they’ll be working with in less than three months time.
The Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) officially announced and honored its 2026 college scholarship recipients which included two Nassau County golfers: Brady Steffen of Fernandina Beach High School, left, and Harrison Grunewald of Yulee High School. Submitted photo

The Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) officially announced and honored its 2026 college scholarship recipients which included two Nassau County golfers: Brady Steffen of Fernandina Beach High School, left, and Harrison Grunewald of Yulee High School. Submitted photo

Fore the future

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
The Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) officially announced and honored its 2026 college scholarship recipients as awardees at its annual scholarship awards dinner Tuesday evening, May 19, at Deerwood Country Club.
The Hammerhead Lacrosse U14 girls team at their final game of the 2026 Spring season. Submitted

The Hammerhead Lacrosse U14 girls team at their final game of the 2026 Spring season. Submitted

‘Girls lacrosse is thriving’

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Lacrosse is fairly new to Nassau County. Youth boys teams were formed less than two decades ago with the formation of Hammerhead Lacrosse.
Fernandina Beach High School’s quarterback Talan Van Delinder waits for the snap in Wednesday’s off-season matchup against Menendez. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEGAN LOUISE PHOTOS

Fernandina Beach High School’s quarterback Talan Van Delinder waits for the snap in Wednesday’s off-season matchup against Menendez. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEGAN LOUISE PHOTOS

Springboard: Pirates football put the reps in at Menendez

Nick Blank
Friday, May 22, 2026
High school spring games function as a tuneup, a chance to give players game-time reps and for coaches to impart some wisdom to players before summer. Despite a 31-24 loss at Menendez on Wednesday, Fernandina Beach High football coaches left St.