What's new in Youth Sports?
Cross Country For Youth wins the 2013 National Student Athlete Day Giant Steps Award!
Girls Sports Initiative - The Youth Sports Development Team is proud to announce it's Girl's Youth Sports Initiative. The goal is to increase the number of female youth sports participants countywide by offering independent girls only sports leagues in our core youth sports programs. For more information about girls only leagues and other opportunities for females, please email YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call (704) 432-4963.
Youth Disc Golf Legaue - We are also excied to announce the inaugural season of our first ever Youth Disc Golf League. Registration will run through April 12th for ages 7-18. Working closely with Innova Disc Golf and the Charlotte Disc Golf Club, the Youth Sports Development Team has high hopes for this new and exciting program.
Click here for more information about the Youth Disc Golf League
Summer Sports Camps - This summer the US Sports Institute will conduct summer camps for the first time in Charlotte at Revolution Park. Campers will experience and develop skills in over 15 sports in one week. Camp packages include half day and full day sessions, as well as specialized post-camp evening program opportunities
Week 1 - June 10 - 14
Week 2 - June 17 - 21
Week 3 - June 24 - 28
Click on the logo below to register online or call (866) 345-2255.
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A Special "Thank You" to Those Who Make Recreation Possible
Providing our youth sports participants with the highest quality parks and recreational facilities possible is no small task. With hard work and dedication from these men and women day in and day out, they make it possible for us to "Recreate All Year"! Please be sure to thank your park staff everyday for all they do.
Thanks Again to ALL of our Maintenance Crews!!!
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation offers a variety of athletic programs to youth participants throughout the year. All youth athletics programs are Recreation Center based and take place at various parks and recreation centers throughout Mecklenburg County.
YOUTH SPORT PHILOSOPHY
The youth sports philosophy in Mecklenburg County is based on three main goals.
1. Safety
2. Fun
3. Participation development based on the following:
Everyone Plays - Providing opportunities to learn skills and improve conditioning by minimizing roster sizes and ensuring that players play at least half of every game.
Balanced teams - Building teams that are evenly balanced with regard to skill level and ability
Positive Coaching - Providing training and education for coaches to assist in the development of the player's self-worth and confidence.
Sportsmanship - Creating a positive environment that fosters mutual respect
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS
Youth sports programs are recreation center based programs that are organized countywide. Before you register for a youth sports program, click one of the following links “Find a Rec Center” or “Map of Recreation Centers” to locate your nearest and/or most conveniently located recreation center.
Once you have decided on which center you would like to register with, you can complete your registration using one of three methods:
- Register on site during hours of operation
- Call 311 to complete a phone registration and payment
- Log on to www.parkandrec.com and click on the Eparks logo in the upper right corner of the page. You can set up a user account by requesting a client ID and account pin number. Once you have received your confirmation email, you can begin registering online for programs.
FAQ - (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
What is the typical length of a season?
Each youth sports regular season consists of 8 games (approximately 8 weeks in length). A single elimination post season tournament is held for ages 7 and older, which is typically played out over a Friday, Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting).
How are the leagues organized?
Leagues are organized based on the number of teams registered within an age division in a Recreation Center Corridor (North, Central & South). Generally teams from each of the centers in a corridor will participate in the regular season together.
When and where will my child practice and play games?
During the registration process, you should locate your desired Recreation Center and register. Ideally you want to choose a facility that is convenient to your home or place of work for ease of transportation to and from practices. The center staff will communicate with you regarding the practice days and times chosen by the volunteer coach or assigned by the facility. Practices are typically once a week in the evening and will continue throughout the season once games have begun.
The Youth Athletics Section will make a concerted effort to place teams at the proposed game site closest to their home Recreation Center. However, we reserve the right to adjust the game sites based on the ability to form leagues with 4 or more teams from the respective recreation centers within the North, Central and South Mecklenburg service areas. For example, if you are in a Center in the South and you only have enough for two teams, you will be moved to the closest secondary site to form a league that comprised of 4 or more teams.
The following is a list of our core youth sports and their corresponding registration periods along with league play time frames:
SPRING SEASON YOUTH SPORTS
Registration is held in February, practices begin in March & games begin in April.
Youth Baseball and Softball
Youth Disc Golf
Youth Track & Field
FALL SEASON YOUTH SPORTS
Registration is held in July, practices begin in August & games begin in September.
Youth Soccer
Youth Flag Football
WINTER SEASON YOUTH SPORTS
Registration is held in September/October, practices begin in November & games begin in January.
Youth Basketball
Youth Cheerleading
Visit our eParks application to view and register for these and many other quality athletic programs.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, email YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.3834.
Individual sports at Park and Recreation facilities include:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & LINKS:
Youth Football Initiative - Play, Participate and Promote Youth Tackle Football In Mecklenburg County.
Police Activities League - PAL provides opportunities for youth that foster their leadership and citizenship skills through athletics and academics.
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