We promised to keep you updated. Here’s what families can expect from youth sports and recreation this winter. |
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Dear Y Families, Earlier this fall, we shared that we were pausing our traditional youth basketball and soccer leagues while we took a thoughtful look at the role your Y can play in meeting the recreation and physical activity needs of kids in our community. Today, we want to share what we’ve learned, what’s changed and what families can expect this winter.
Some of our traditional Y basketball leagues will remain paused for the winter season. At the same time, we’ve made meaningful progress in expanding community sports opportunities, growing our own non-league programming and investing in the leadership that will shape what comes next.
Working together for our community’s kids
Over the past several weeks, the Y and Kidsports have been working together to expand traditional sports opportunities for kids to move their bodies this fall and winter. Those conversations have resulted in additional options, including a co-ed soccer opportunity and a Wednesday 3-on-3 basketball clinic. We’re grateful to Kidsports for working alongside us to increase access and make sure more kids across our community have a place to play.
Between our two organizations, kids in Kindergarten through high school wanting to play in a basketball league will have the opportunity—either in the K-1 YMCA league or the 2-high school Kidsports league. Families seeking different opportunities to explore physical activities with their children will find new ones with the Y this winter! |
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| Kidsports registration is now open and ready for your kids! |
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Kidsports has a strong, established team-sports program, including basketball opportunities that serve many of the same ages traditionally served by Y leagues. This winter, Kidsports will provide many of the traditional basketball league opportunities Y families may be looking for, while the Y focuses more intentionally on areas where our community has asked for something different—from skill-development sessions to open recreation, game days and developmental sports.
What we’re hearing from Kidsports also aligns closely with what we’ve been learning through our own evaluation: kids and families benefit when our community offers lots of different ways to get active. By building on the strong team-sports options already available and bringing the experience and strengths of our organizations together, we can create a more connected youth sports and movement community. |
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“This is bigger than deciding which sports the Y should offer. This is an opportunity to build a more connected youth sports and movement community—one that gives kids the courage to try something new, the freedom to be curious and, most importantly, the chance to have fun. By working alongside Kidsports and other community partners, we can create more opportunities for every kid to explore, grow and discover the ways they love to move.”
—Rachel Jackson, Youth, Teen & Family Director, Eugene Family YMCA |
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Even more ways to move this winter Last month, we shared some of the new ways we were expanding youth recreation beyond traditional leagues. Since then, we’ve continued building our winter lineup—with even more opportunities for kids and families to play, explore and try something new.
We’re also adding 5-on-5 basketball for kindergartners and first-graders (registration is now open) to complement the 3-on-3 option offered by KIDSPORTS. We’ve heard from parents looking for this format, and it gives families another way to get their kids in the game. It demonstrates that the Y will continue to explore traditional league play while also exploring non-traditional offerings. A new Recreation and Activities Director will spearhead the efforts.
New this winter, Itty Bitty Superhero Training will turn running, jumping, balancing, throwing and obstacle courses into a four-week adventure for our youngest movers.
Our new Come Play With Us Saturday series will bring a playful twist to family time for grades 2-5—with 90-minute themed experiences full of movement, friendly challenges and a few surprises along the way. Activities may include ninja and obstacle challenges, capture the flag, relay races, giant games, minute-to-win-it challenges and dodgeball variations. Each session will mix shorter games and activities to keep kids engaged, with opportunities for grown-ups to join the fun or cheer on their kids during activities led by Y staff. We’re piloting this series to learn what families enjoy and help shape future recreation opportunities.
These new programs join Itty Bitty Ninjas, NinjaZone, Itty Bitty Sports Adventure, Itty Bitty Dance, Itty Bitty and K–1 Playground Games and the family-favorite activities already getting kids and teens moving at the Y—from swim lessons, youth tennis and pickleball to Aikido, Teen Strength, Fitness Basics, Aerial Yoga for Teens & Tweens and more. |
| 5-on-5 Basketball Saturdays Jan. 23 to Mar. 13 Includes a 30-minute practice followed by a game. |
Winter Itty Bitty Offerings Basketball, Ninjas, Superhero Training, Sports Adventure |
Come Play With Us Saturdays starting in January
90-minute themed experiences for the whole family! |
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Investing in what comes next Last month, we also told you we were creating a new Recreation & Activities Director position to help lead the future of youth recreation at the Y. That position is now open, and we’re actively evaluating candidates. We’re looking for a leader who can turn what we’re learning into action—developing accessible, engaging recreation experiences while building strong connections with Kidsports, schools, parks and recreation agencies, sports organizations and other community partners.
This person will help us continue listening to families and evaluating where the Y can make the greatest impact—from clinics, camps, leagues and skill-development sessions to open recreation, game days, developmental sports and other experiences shaped by what our community tells us it needs. The role will also serve as an important connector, helping young people find opportunities throughout our community—not just within the walls of the Y.
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Learn more about the Recreation and Activities Director Position |
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Building what's next—together We are fortunate to be part of a community where nonprofits work together to meet the needs of local families. We are confident that families who have traditionally participated in YMCA winter leagues will find great opportunities through Kidsports’ winter programs, which are well-positioned to welcome and serve these families. We know that success isn’t about how many leagues have a Y logo on them. It’s about more kids across our community having opportunities to move, play, build confidence and belong. Over the past month, that has meant working with Kidsports to expand traditional sports opportunities, adding new ways for kids and families to get active at the Y and beginning the search for the leader who will help guide this work into the future. We promised to listen, learn and keep you updated. We’re excited to see that work taking shape—and even more excited about what we can build together. Thank you for being part of it. |
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Checkout fall youth programs: |
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Maeghan Wall
Chief Program Delivery Officer Eugene YMCA |
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Eugene Family YMCA
Empowering youth to reach their full potential, improving individual and community well-being, and inspiring action and giving back in our communities. |
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