Sparta YMCA Launches Young Athletes Program

The Sparta-White County YMCA has launched its new Young Athletes Program, a sport and play program for kids ages 3-7 years old.

Sparta-White County YMCA Fitness and Wellness Director Nina Weston said the program is a six-week program in which kids will get the chance to play multiple different sports to fine-tune their motor skills. Weston said the program allows all the children in the community to experience the joy of playing sports.

“Having the kids this age you know, be able to come and do something like this and teach them about inclusive play,” Weston said. “It’s a benefit for children without intellectual disabilities as well. It helps them to better understand and accept others.”

Weston said the plan is to offer the program multiple times a year. Weston said the program is just the first step in creating more physical opportunities for kids in the future.

“It’s hard to explain in words what you see from these parents,” Weston said. “I’ve had some parents come up to me and say you know, my child actually can do something, there is something that they are good at. This helps pave the way to find a sport later if they have a physical limitation there are sports out there that are suited for certain types of athletes.”

Weston said the program is free and she encourages parents to sign their kids up for the program.

“We really want to start this and grow this program because I’ve really seen the need,” Weston said. “I work with a lot of older athletes and so it is harder to refine those motor skills in an older athlete so let’s start this young.”

Weston said they are still taking registrations for the current six-week program. For more information about registration for the program visit the Sparta-White County YMCA website.