Preschoolers are often bounding with tireless energy and movement. What better way to channel that endless motion than to sign your wee one up for sports?
The Asheville area offers a wealth of youth sports of all varieties designed to develop skills and character for the tireless tikes in your family. Here are some ideas on where to start.
Start Smart Soccer: Black Mountain Parks and Recreation offers Start Smart Soccer, designed for ages 3-5. It runs during the fall and spring. It provides an introduction to soccer with developmentally appropriate skills practice that prepares youth for future organized team soccer. For more information visit https://bit.ly/2lcMtcX.
Soccer Shots: With a strong focus on character development in addition to soccer skills, Soccer Shots offers “Soccer Shots Mini” for 2- to 3-year-olds. This high energy program focuses on foot skills and the fundamentals of the game. In addition, they offer “Soccer Shots Classic” for ages 3-5 that builds on the mini clinic with focus on passing, shooting and basic dribbling skills. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/2laq8gh
YMCA Youth Soccer: The YMCA youth soccer programs includes a division for ages 3-4. Its soccer programs focus on developing skills in a positive environment with specific attention to footwork, coordination, balance, agility, teamwork, character, and communication. Soccer seasons run in both the fall and spring. For details, visit ymcawnc.org/programs/sports/soccer
Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (ABYSA): With over 4,000 participants ABYSA’s recreation program is one of the largest youth soccer leagues in the area. Children 3 and older can play in this league. The program focuses on fun and participation, as well as a basic introduction to the game. For information visit abysa.org.
There a variety of options for T-ball in the Asheville area with different age ranges. All of these programs focus on the fundamentals of baseball in a team environment.
North Asheville Little League offers T-ball for ages 4-5, with practices starting in mid-March and games beginning late April through early June. For more information visit https://bit.ly/2mHsiEz.
Charles D. Owen Babe Ruth League has T-ball for ages 4-6 with a strong focus on hitting and fielding skills. For more information visit https://bit.ly/2lcYMWH.
Western North Carolina Youth Sports Association also offers T-Ball for ages 4-5 (with 3-6 allowed with league approval). This league emphasizes the fundamentals of the game and fun. For more information visit https://bit.ly/2mkwhGL.
Start Smart Basketball: Black Mountain Parks and Recreation offers also offers Start Smart Basketball. This youth basketball season runs during the winter months is designed for ages 3-5. Start Smart Basketball strives to teach the fundamentals of basketball in preparation for organized basketball later on. For details visit https://bit.ly/2lcMtcX.
YMCA youth basketball: YMCA of Western North Carolina offers youth basketball for ages 3-4 at many of its area locations. “Little Dribbler” Youth Basketball focuses on fine-tuning skills such as dribbling, shooting and guarding; while also building sportsmanship and teamwork. For more information visit ymcawnc.org/programs/sports/basketball