Let the Games Begin! Spring Athletics is in Full Swing

Spring Athletics is in full swing at the Community Services Department, and the competition is heating up!

Athletic programs are a staple of any good Parks and Recreation department, and ours is no exception. Every season, Southlake residents can sign up for a myriad of leagues, classes, and camps to compete, play and perfect their favorite sport. From America’s pastime, basketball, flag football, to volleyball and everything in between, Southlake has it all!

This season, the Athletics Division is upping their game with the Girls’ Volleyball League and Youth Flag Football League. With these two programs growing more than ever, now is the perfect time to work on your athletic mastery. The Girls’ Volleyball League is open to ages 6-12 years old. Youth Flag Football has a league for each grade level from Kindergarten to 8th grade. The growth and success of these programs are indicative of the value our community places on youth sports.

Everyone knows that playing sports is fun, but there are multiple benefits associated with youth athletics. Playing sports improves physical, mental, social, and emotional development in children. For example, playing on a team helps kids learn crucial social skills like teamwork, leadership, and communication. Practicing and seeing visible improvements helps children develop healthy self-esteem and gain confidence while having a blast!

Not only does participating in youth athletics help kids today, but it also sets them up for success in the future. According to Aspen Project Play, physical activity during early childhood can have lasting positive effects throughout adulthood. For example, active children can score up to 40% on tests, are 15% more likely to go to college, and have lower levels of depression and self- derogation.

As adults, active children have 7-8% higher annual earnings, are more productive at work, and have a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. The individual benefits transfer to communities as well. Active communities tend to have higher property values, lower heart disease rates, and higher graduation rates.

There’s no denying that athletics plays a vital role in youth development and the building of healthy and strong communities. We are proud of our robust athletics programming and are looking forward to everything that’s to come. Make sure to keep an eye on our website and register for your favorite sport! Let the games begin!