Best Fall Sports Leagues For Kids In Seattle
With the turning leaves, slopes bathed in burnished orange and gold, early twilight and a crisp bite to the air, there's nothing like autumn in Seattle. Autumn also means fall sports leagues, and whether your child is interested in soccer, volleyball, cross country, flag football, lacrosse or baseball, options for aspiring athletes abound. These sports leagues help children develop basic skills while learning about good sportsmanship, inclusivity, safety and healthy competition. From the Seattle Youth Soccer Association to I9 Sports and from Seattle Parks and Recreation to the Lake City Soccer Club, there's a sports league for every budding athlete.
Seattle Parks and Recreation
Green Lake Community Center
7201 E. Green Lake Drive N.
Seattle, WA 98115-5301
(206) 684-4075
www.seattle.gov/parks
The Green Lake Community Center, which was a ParentMap top favorite in the 2013 Golden Teddy Awards, is one of Seattle Parks and Recreation's 26 greater Seattle recreation centers. Fall sports leagues include girls' and boys' youth cross country for ages 8 to 17, girls' volleyball for ages 10 to 17 and coed youth flag football for ages 6 to 14. Youth Cross Country, run through the Rain City Flyers, is for runners of all abilities and skill levels. In the girls' volleyball league, players learn about volleyball fundamentals, skills and teamwork. In the flag football league, players learn about sportsmanship, basic football skills using NFL flag football rules and team play.
Seattle Youth Soccer Association
650 S. Orcas St., Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 552-0723
www.sysa.org
Every year, the Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) helps more than 13,000 soccer players learn the basics of the sport at its Seattle and Shoreline campuses. The SYSA has 12 locations where players of all abilities and experience levels from ages 5 to 18 can learn how to play soccer. SYSA soccer leagues are taught by highly experienced coaches who have more than 35 years of knowledge with soccer programs. The SYSA provides affordable, age-appropriate coaching with field access to schools and parks throughout Shoreline and Seattle. It also offers additional training and camps as well as access to competition at the highest levels for youth leagues in Washington.
I9 Sports
Chestnut Hill Academy
13633 S.E. 26th St.
Bellevue, WA 98005
(877) 475-2949
www.i9sports.com
I9 Sports works on several core values for its youth players, including good sportsmanship, inclusivity, safety, healthy competition and fun. Its sports leagues are located across the greater Seattle area and at Chestnut Hill Academy. Youth athletes can participate in fall baseball and lacrosse leagues. The fall lacrosse league is available for children ages 5-6 or 7-8 and the fall baseball league is available for children ages 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. The leagues helps children focus on the fundamentals of the game in a positive, supportive environment. All participants receive end-of-season recognition and children are acknowledged with weekly "Excellence in Sportsmanship" awards.
Pick 6 Sports
P.O. Box 2242
Renton, WA 98056
(425) 444-1456
www.pick6sports.com
Football fans of all ages were thrilled by the Seahawks' historic Super Bowl victory in 2013 – and many young players hope to be the next Russell Wilson or Richard Sherman. With the help of Pick 6 Sports' coed flag football leagues, aspiring athletes can learn the basics of the game in a fun and supportive environment. Pick 6 Sports has flag football leagues for children throughout the greater Puget Sound area that teach children the fundamentals of competitive flag football. In its coed fall NFL Flag football for children ages 5-15, participants wear NFL licensed jerseys and every child has a chance to play every position on the team.
Arena Sports
9040 Willows Road N.E.
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 885-4881
www.arenasports.net
Arena Sports' Skills Institute works on developing physical, technical, tactical and psychosocial sports skills. The Institute provides soccer coaching for girls and boys from 5 to 12 years of age. Its skilled, enthusiastic coaches are experienced in working with all skill levels and the institute features an 8:1 player-to-coach ratio that provides each player with ample one-on-one time and group skills work. Coaches begin with basic skills for each age group and participants receive homework assignments to continue to hone their skills at home.
Tracy Campion is a freelance writer covering all things Seattle. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
