Russellville Parks, Recreation opens fall youth sports registration
For parents who want to see their children signed up to participate in fall youth sports in the City of Russellville – the time has come.
Although fall sports won’t begin until early-to-mid-September, when the heat of summer begins to dissipate, registration is now open. Parks and Recreation’s Carrie Dover said children ages 3-12 are invited to sign up for one or more of the numerous sports the department offers each fall.
Biddy Body Soccer is designed for children 3-5, providing an introduction to team sports for the very youngest of future athletic stars. For children 6-12, Parks and Recreation will offer soccer, baseball, volleyball, softball and flag football.
“Fall sports are broken up into two phases,” Dover explained. “Phase 1 is biddy body soccer, soccer, baseball and softball. They will begin playing around Sept. 5. Phase 2, volleyball and flag football, will begin play around Sept. 19.
Registration is $30 per child, with discounts for additional siblings in the same family. All teams, Dover said, will be drafted by coaches.
Youth sports will be spread across the many athletic facilities Russellville offers. Biddy Body soccer and soccer will be played at the soccer field located near the Mullins Center. Baseball teams will compete at the Lee Complex, Eastside and, if completed Hal Kirby Park, as will softball. Volleyball will be at the Rec Center, and flag football will be at the Lee Complex.
“Recreational sports help bring people together, providing opportunities for social interaction,” Dover said. “I feel like in this day and age when everyone is so focused on their phone/electronic device, it’s good to get both children and their parents out of the house interacting with others face-to-face instead of screen to screen.”
That break from screen time, however, isn’t the only benefit, Dover said. “As always with sports, it helps develop life skills and leadership abilities in all children that are involved, which in turn helps to heighten each child’s self-esteem and self-worth.” Dover also endorsed the “lifelong friendships that form while playing.”
Sign-up sheets are located at the Rec Center, 201 Ash Ave., in Russellville.
