Basketball Youth League presented by Sonterra MUD Parks & Recreation

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

Families who have had to search outside Jarrell for youth sports leagues can look forward to Sonterra MUD Parks and Recreation’s first youth basketball league launching this winter.

Meeting that need for local youth athletic programs has been a goal of Sonterra’s Parks and Recreation since the department was created earlier this year. “Starting a youth basketball league was an easy way to build community and have everyone currently going to Georgetown for basketball to play here,” Parks and Recreation Director Blake Reynolds says. “It was really just to hit the ground running — start with this league, and build more as we go.”

GAME ON! NEW BASKETBALL LEAGUE LAUNCHES FOR JARRELL YOUTH

The league kicks off the first week of January and is open to boys and girls ages 5-12 who are residents of Sonterra or anywhere in Jarrell and the surrounding areas. In addition to 10 weekly practices and seven games with experienced, certified referees, kids can get excited about the NBA brand custom jerseys and medals they will receive at the end of the season.

What sets the league apart from others in the area is Sonterra Parks and Recreation’s dedicated staff. “We have full and part-time staff members who are actually managing and executing these types of leagues and programs. They have time, expertise and, more than anything, the availability to answer people’s questions,” Blake says, adding that those directing and managing the league are experienced, full-time staff members, not just volunteers.

Four new employees recently joined the Parks and Recreation team, including Recreation Supervisor Tyler Brown and Administrative Assistant Amy Perkins, as well as two recreation assistants. Blake plans to add a maintenance supervisor and three more part-time staff members to help the department as it continues to serve Jarrell’s growing community.

He also highlights the need for volunteer assistant and head coaches for the fledgling basketball league. “We definitely need as many volunteer coaches as possible."

I’M EXCITED FOR ALL THE KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY TO GET A WELL-ORGANIZED LEAGUE AND HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN MISSING IN SONTERRA AND JARRELL FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Coach Marty Murr and the Jarrell ISD Administration supported and approved a lower rental fee for the Jarrell Middle School gym where practices and games will be held, allowing the Parks and Recreation team to offer league play at a more affordable cost to the community. “We just want to cover our costs,” Blake says. “It’s more so just a service to the community to get kids active and promote teamwork, sportsmanship, health, and fitness.”

That community partnership is just another way the league is unique among others in the area. “Our money is going to cover our costs and go back into the community for future programs and playgrounds and trails, not into our organizational pocket as a profit."

As for future plans, Blake says a girls’ volleyball league is in the discussion stage and he hopes to eventually bring other youth sports leagues to Jarrell.

HOW TO JOIN

The basketball league is open to all skill levels and includes an assessment to help balance teams. “We are not holding a tryout, just an assessment to help balance teams evenly as best we can to make for a good experience. Everyone gets to play,” Blake says.

Registration costs $40 and is open until January 3. CLICK HERE to learn more and to sign up for the league.