News Summary
Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department has opened registration for winter youth sports, including soccer and basketball, with a deadline of October 22. Volunteer coaches are being sought to support young athletes, and hundreds of children have already enrolled. The department emphasizes community involvement and offers waivers on registration fees for head coaches. Adult sports leagues are also available, creating additional opportunities for participation.
Tallahassee is gearing up for the winter youth sports season, with registration now open for both players and volunteer coaches. The Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department has set the registration deadline for October 22, and they anticipate a significant turnout this year, with over 150 soccer teams and nearly 80 basketball teams expected to participate.
As of now, hundreds of children have already signed up for the various winter sports programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Department. In an effort to support these young athletes, the department is actively seeking community members to volunteer as coaches. These volunteer roles are critical, as coaching not only aids in developing sports skills but also instills lessons in sportsmanship and teamwork.
Cindy Mead, the Operations Manager for the Tallahassee Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Affairs Department, emphasizes the importance of community involvement in these programs. She notes that it takes hundreds of volunteers to effectively manage the winter sports season, highlighting that even a few hours of commitment can make a significant difference.
The Parks and Recreation Department is committed to supporting new coaches by providing assistance with practice schedules and planning. They aim to create a welcoming and effective environment for both players and coaches. Zyon Dawson, a current coach, points out the profound impact that coaching can have on young people’s lives, indicating that many coaches serve as father figures and mentors to the youth.
The winter sports offerings include youth soccer for kids aged 4-17, with both coed and all-girls teams available. Youth soccer practices are scheduled to start on November 17, with games taking place from January 3 to February 21. For basketball, programs are available for ages 8-17, with practices beginning in early November and games running from January 7 to March 6. In addition to regular basketball, an all-girls basketball practice will take place at the Sue McCollum Community Center, and a fundamentals program named “Lil Hoopsters” will be available for younger children aged 4-7.
The Parks and Recreation Department is also organizing adult basketball and adult beach volleyball leagues for ages 18 and up. The registration deadlines for these adult leagues are set for January 2 for basketball and January 9 for beach volleyball. Notably, those who volunteer as head coaches will have their child’s registration fee waived, providing an incentive for community members to step up and take on this rewarding role.
In addition to volunteer coaching roles, the department is also hiring for part-time positions, including umpires, referees, and concession workers in both youth and adult sports. This creates additional opportunities for community involvement within the local sports framework.
Individuals interested in becoming volunteer coaches or seeking more information about the youth sports programs are encouraged to contact the City’s Athletics Division at 850-891-3866. The department looks forward to a successful winter sports season, with the participation of both enthusiastic players and dedicated coaches making it all possible.
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Additional Resources
- WTXL: Tallahassee Parks and Rec Calls for Volunteer Coaches
- Wikipedia: Youth Sports
- Tallahassee Reports: City’s Winter Playbook for Youth and Adult Sports
- Google Search: Tallahassee Winter Sports
- Tallahassee Democrat: Winter All-Big Bend Team Rollout
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coaching
- Whoop Dirt: Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Tallahassee State College
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