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It’s Not Just the Game, It’s the Community and Life Lessons
Yes, it’s still summer. Yes, you’re probably knee-deep in family road trips, day camps, or backyard sprinklers. And no, fall may not be top of your mind. But it should be.
As back-to-school season approaches (Fort Worth ISD starts in less than a month!), it’s also time to think about fall sports at the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. Registration is now open for soccer, volleyball, and baseball and there’s never been a better time to jump in.
What makes YMCA sports different? It’s not just the game, it’s the community and life lessons learned with each kick, volley, and swing.
Photo courtesy of YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth
How many of us played Y sports growing up? I did. My sister did. Most of my family and friends did. While I never excelled at soccer or basketball, the lessons learned, like how to work as a team and how to win and lose gracefully, stayed with me for a lifetime. And that’s what Y sports are all about.
Recently, I spoke with Karissa Sorrells, a YMCA branch sports director, and Eddie Norgard, the District Executive Director of Programs and Services for the YMCA, about what makes a YMCA sports experience different from other programs.
YMCA sports are built on connection: kids build confidence and skills while families grow closer. These programs blend the structure and discipline of organized athletics with a warm, welcoming environment where beginners feel at home. Whether your child is new to the sport or just needs a place to belong, there’s a team waiting to welcome them.
Photo courtesy of YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth
But it doesn’t stop with the players. Parents, grandparents, siblings – there’s room for the whole family to get involved.
“This is a special time when you get to bond with your child on a whole different level,” said Karissa. “You get to teach them to be a leader, teach them sportsmanship… We had a family where the big brother coached his little sister’s team, and it turned into a whole family activity.”
Older siblings 18 and up can volunteer to coach, and even younger siblings can get in on the action. Eddie shared, “We’ve had siblings make appreciation messages for the players and coaches before. We love it when the whole family volunteers.”
That spirit of inclusion extends to the sidelines and beyond. YMCA sports aren’t about intense tryouts or cutthroat competition, they’re about participation, growth, and support. Everyone plays. Everyone is welcome.
Photo courtesy of YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth
Children as young as three can start building skills on a soccer or baseball [Writer’s note: With two kiddos who played soccer as little ones, I’ve got to say there’s almost nothing cuter than a bunch of preschoolers figuring out how to play as a team.] Volleyball begins in second grade and continues through high school, offering players the chance to grow with the sport year after year.
(And if you’re worried about those early Saturday games, don’t be. “I’ve learned not to schedule games as early as I did in the past,” Karissa said with a laugh.)
Fall baseball at the YMCA’s Sports Complex, is another standout. “What’s really great about the Sports Complex is that it’s a really vibrant place,” Eddie shared. “It’s oriented by age groups with three baseball fields, two t-ball fields, three batting cages, and four multi-use fields. It is a space that grows with the kids.”
Photo courtesy of YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth
While YMCA sports provide valuable training and opportunities for athletic growth, the biggest win is often the life lessons: how to lead, how to lose gracefully, how to support others, and how to be part of something bigger than yourself.
And no child is left out. “The YMCA continues to provide scholarship opportunities,” Eddie emphasized. “We are absolutely committed to providing opportunities to everyone. We never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay.”
Karissa sums it up best: “When I’m on the field, and the grass is still wet, and the kids are excited, and the parents are all supporting all the kids on the team. there is an energy there… I love that community!”
Ready to be part of it? Registration is open now. Learn more and sign up below for soccer, volleyball, baseball, or to volunteer as a coach. There’s a place for everyone this fall at the Y.
Registration is open now.
Season begins between August 25th and September 8th, depending on location.
Ages 3-12
A soccer ball, shin guards, and a water bottle are required equipment.
Registration is open now.
Season begins between September 6th and September 15th, depending on location.
Ages 2nd grade-high school
Ball, kneepads, and a water bottle are required equipment.
Registration is open now.
Season begins on August 23rd.
Ages 3-12
Baseball, glove, and water bottle are required. A bat is optional. The Y provides batting helmets.
You don’t have to be a star athlete to coach a Y team. You just need to be an honest, caring, respectful human being!
