Top Fall Sports Leagues For Kids In Philadelphia
Trendy school clothes and new teachers aren't the only things to look forward to when fall rolls around. Not only do sports provide your budding Pelé or Joe Namath with physical exercise, but teamwork, cooperation and a healthy dose of discipline top the list of advantages, too. Of course, with such Philly hall-of-famers as Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain, Bobbie Clarke and Reggie White to look up to, it's no wonder that kids from the City of Brotherly Love love to mix it up with some good athletic competition. So grab your uniforms and check out these top fall sports leagues for kids in and around Philadelphia.
Cape Express Soccer Club
Clarence Davies Sports Complex
626 Goshen Road
Middle Township, NJ 08210
(609) 465-8743
www.capeexpress.com
Cape Express, a soccer club based in South Jersey, has been around since 1982. Three programs are offered, all with an aim to develop mental, emotional and physical growth, sportsmanship and community pride. The non-competitive Caperoos keep Kindergarten and first grade kids in tip top shape, while the highly competitive youth and varsity programs hold tryouts for players age eight to 18. Cape Express sponsors the 300-team George Pratt Memorial Soccer Tournament each Columbus Day weekend, and the Beach Blast Soccer Tournament, the world's largest of its kind, is held the weekend before July 4th.
Related: Survey: Youth Sports Leagues Causing Moms To Stress Out
Drexel Hill Raiders
Drexel Hill Athletic Association
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 761-8026
www.drexelhillraiders.com
Part of the Bert Bell Memorial Football Conference, the Drexel Hill Raiders offer two gridiron programs for the half-grown group. Flag football is open to tikes ages five and six, while the tackle football program recruits players ages seven to 15. Except for the jersey, team players must provide their own equipment. The programs are reasonably priced, however, and all coaches receive training and certification for USA Football's Heads Up Program to ensure that each child develops strength of character, leadership, perseverance, honesty and a positive attitude through playing sports.
Haverford Youth Cheerleading
Haverford Reserve
110 Green Lane
Haverford, PA 19041
www.haverfordyouthfootball.assn
Give me an F, give me a U, give me an N! What do you get? Fun field and competition cheerleading squads that are open to kids ages five to 15! Haverford Youth Cheerleading offers boys and girls the opportunity to cheer their little hearts out at all the Haverford Youth Football games, so practice is pretty intense and is held four nights a week. Cheers are taught by former cheerleaders who know the importance of self-esteem and teamwork in this strenuous sport. For those wishing to join the competition squad, take note that a hefty additional charge, added uniform items and and a tumbling class are required.
Katz JCC Sharks – Cherry Hill Swim Team
1301 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(856) 424-4444 Ext. 1150
www.katzjcc.org
Winners of the 2012–2013 championship title, Katz JCC Sharks in Cherry Hill is a competitive swim team that participates in the tri-state area's Mid-Atlantic Swim league. It's open to kids ages six to 18, but your future Jenny Thompson or Michael Phelps will need to try out to join this ambitious group of aspiring Olympians. The season runs from late October though mid March. Traveling is a must.
Wayne Travel Soccer League
224 County Line Road
Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 293-0888
www.yscsports.com
The well-organized Wayne Travel Soccer League is open to kids ages nine to 18. Games are kept to 40 minutes in duration, and an eight-game per-season schedule culminates with playoffs for the championship. Boys and girls are on separate teams. Slots fill quickly, so register early.
Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
