Whether you’re new to the San Antonio area and looking to get your kids involved with youth sports, or you’re a local San Antonian seeking additional information on the teams and programs available, you’ll be pleased to learn that San Antonio has a thriving and competitive youth sports culture. There are plenty of different sports offered by a wide range of different organizations, including sports like basketball, t-ball, volleyball, kickball, soccer, football, cheerleading, and many more. Read on for more information about some of the specific programs offered in the San Antonio area.
Spurs Youth Basketball League
Beginning in January, the Spurs Youth Basketball League is available for participation for girls and boys between the ages of 6 and 16. The League operated by San Antonio Parks and Recreation, and games are typically played at one of the 17 local community centers depending on the age of the child participating as they are divided up into different divisions. Parents must complete a registration form and pay a $10 registration fee, which included a team shirt and a water bottle.
To find out more, visit San Antonio Parks & Recreation.
Texas Youth Football & Cheer Association
Founded in 1995, the mission of the Texas Youth Football & Cheer Association (TYFA) is “to provide young athletes with opportunities to compete and win at some of the highest levels of youth football and cheer in an environment free from discrimination and prepare these athletes for lifelong contributions to society; to embrace equality, academic achievement and diversity through competition of sport.” The TYFA has six different chapters in multiple areas across Texas, including Austin, Houston, Killeen, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and West Texas.
TYFA football leagues are offered to both boys and girls, and the league is split up into 5 different division depending on age level:
- Flag: Ages 4-5
- Midget: Ages 6-7
- Rookie: Ages 8-9
- Junior: Ages 10-11
- Senior: Age 12-13
The TYFA operates under a combination of rules from the NCAA and a set of “home grown” rules. There are two seasons are play, one in the Spring and one in the Fall.
TYFA cheerleading takes place during the same two season as TYFA football; however, participants in the Spring cheer as football games only, while participants in the Fall compete in a State Cheer Competition with the highest scoring squad moving on to a national event. The TYFA cheer league is broken down into six different age brackets, similar to the football league, and is also available for both girls and boys:
- Mascots: Ages 3-4
- Flag: Ages 4-5
- Midgets: Ages 6-7
- Rookies: Ages 8-9
- Juniors: Ages 10-11
- Seniors: Ages 12-15
In terms of Fall participation for the State Cheer Competition, squads are divided into mascot, novice, intermediate, and advanced groups. Additionally, there are also single and tandem competitions.
For more information about the TYFA Football or Cheer leagues, visit TYFA.
Texas District 19 Little League
All divisions of little league, for both baseball and softball, in Texas District 19 are available for ages 4 to 16. Registration for Spring begins in November and December and runs through January. According to District 19, “every Little League is restricted to registering players that reside or attend a school within their Little League approved boundaries.” To find the closest little league to your area, visit the Little Leagure Finder Map.
For more information about the Texas District 19 Little League division located in the San Antonio area, visit District 19.
YMCA Soccer
The YMCA of Greater San Antonio offers two divisions of youth soccer leagues: 1) Pee Wee Soccer for ages 3-6 and 2) Youth Soccer for ages 6-13. Both leagues play during the spring, summer, and fall.
The two leagues are set up in different ways. In the Pee Wee league, “participants will learn the basics of soccer in this great introductory league. Pee Wee participants will learn how to pass, kick and shoot in a fun team atmosphere. The focus of the league is to have fun, meet new friends and play soccer in a non-competitive environment. This is a coach led game without any officials.” The older league, on the other hand, is “designed to develop fundamental soccer skills while learning teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship. Children will learn basic strategies and rules of the game, sportsmanship, and much more. Skills taught include shooting, passing, and dribbling.”
For more information on each of the two leagues, visit the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Mules LAX Club: San Antonio Youth Lacrosse
The Mules LAX Club is a San Antonio area-based youth lacrosse organization that offers multiple divisions for different age levels for both boys and girls—divisions are broken up according to grade level (elementary, middle and high school). They offer a spring and fall season, in addition to offering private lessons and summer lacrosse camps, clinics, and tournament play. To register for this league, participants must have a U.S. Lacrosse Membership.
To learn more about the Mules Lax Club, visit their website.
Gymnastics of San Antonio
Apart from team sports, San Antonio also has a wide variety of options when it comes to individual competition sports, including gymnastics. The mission of Gymnastics of San Antonio is to “challenges children of all ages with programs that are developmentally appropriate to their skill level. Your child will grow physically, emotionally and socially with every new skill learned! He/she will gain the discipline and confidence needed to embrace a life of endless possibilities!” They offer preschool classes for toddlers between the ages of 18 months and 5 years, recreational classes for ages 6-15, cheer tumbling classes, trampoline and tumbling classes, acroatic gymnatics, adults open workouts, and host competitive teams.
For more information regarding each level and type of gymnastics class, visit Gymnastics of San Antonio.
Additional Resources
The leagues and programs mentioned are just some of the many options available when it comes to youth sports in the San Antonio area. Listed below are some additional resources regarding San Antonio Youth Sports:
[…] There’s no better time to get your child involved with sports than at a young age. For additional information, check out our article, Youth Sports in San Antonio. […]
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