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Our sports department strives to provide a broad base of programs that provides our youngest members with the opportunity to try new sports in a fun, instructional, and low-pressure environment. Participants develop skills in the sport, along with discipline, teamwork, conditioning, and sportsmanship.
This preschool class is all about fun and introducing some sports skills to our little kids. This class will cover a wide range of games and skills, kids will play kick ball, soccer, t-ball, and many other fun games.
Using the American Development Model and Snag Equipment, Joe Connerton, PGA, and the Y have developed a FUN eight-week golf program tailored to serve the New Canaan Community. Classes are divided into two age groups: 3 to 5 and 5 to 8. Each age group consists of a 45-minute class working on active start skills and golf FUNdamentals in a relaxed, engaging, and entertaining atmosphere where children associate golf with fun. Joe is a local of New Canaan, has been a PGA professional for 23 years, and is now the Head Golf Professional at The Round Hill Club in Greenwich, CT.
Participants will be divided into teams, which will rotate on a weekly basis. Each session will follow a structured game format modeled after a standard hockey game, including three periods, player rotations, and scorekeeping. Over the course of the one-hour program, multiple 25-minute games will be played. Players will have the flexibility to substitute as needed throughout the game. Additionally, a scheduled 5-minute break will take place between games to allow for rest and preparation.
Introduce your child to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country! Our Youth Pickleball program teaches players the fundamentals of the game — including serving, rallying, scoring, and teamwork — in a fun and encouraging environment. Participants will develop hand-eye coordination, agility, and sportsmanship through skill drills and friendly match play. All equipment is provided. Focus: Fundamentals, coordination, and fun competition.
Beginner: This class is an introduction to the fundamentals of volleyball. No experience necessary!
Intermediate: This class is a natural progression after completing a volleyball basics class to help fine-tune players’ existing skills. This is not a class for proficient volleyball players.
Clinics are specialized and structured to be challenging, engaging, and fun! Participants will work on all aspects of the game from shooting, ball-handling, fundamental terminology, and most importantly, defensive skills.
Learn golf in a fun environment with our certified instructors. Swing fundamentals are taught along with basic rules and etiquette. The program is designed for children to develop a passion for golf while developing and improving motor skills and coordination, helping with focus and boosting self-confidence. Our program will advance children through all aspects of the game and prepare them to go out and play on the golf course. Our instructors create the right balance between fun and fundamentals. All equipment is provided, including softer practice balls.
JC Athletics is excited to bring soccer clinics to the New Canaan YMCA!
Grades K-4 Classes will focus on improving fundamental skills including ball control, dribbling, passing, and shooting. Through the use of a curriculum involving exciting drills and mini-games, the players will develop their technical abilities, coordination, game awareness and love for “the beautiful game”. The goal is to create a fun, safe learning environment for all skill levels while also making sure all the players compete and look forward to the next session!
Grades 5-8 Classes will focus on improving fundamental skills including ball control, dribbling, passing, and shooting. The goal will be to get players ready both physically and technically for their upcoming club soccer seasons with drills involving teamwork and competition.
Presented by J.C. Athletics Soccer, fun is the most important thing that this class teaches. Preschool Soccer engages kids in physical activity while developing motor skills and basic soccer skills.
The Y’s middle and high school summer season consists of 8 games taking place on Saturdays and Sundays, plus single-game elimination playoffs. The league comprises eight teams with a maximum of 10 players. Our engaged and energetic coaches will ensure players enjoy friendly competition while improving basketball skills and most importantly, having fun! Please note: practice is not included. Evaluation and Draft Dates: TBD.
The Y’s middle and high school summer season consists of 10 games taking place on Saturdays and Sundays, plus single-game elimination playoffs. The league comprises eight teams with a maximum of 8 players. Our engaged and energetic coaches will ensure players enjoy friendly competition while improving basketball skills and most importantly, having fun! Please note: practice is not included. Evaluation and Draft Dates: TBD.
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Archers learn a unique sport that has been around for centuries but continues to excite! The class will be a mix of skill games and competitive shooting to carefully track the progress of each archer. Experience the joy of becoming a master archer in a safe and welcoming environment!
Seasons: TBD
Presented by Slammer Tennis world, this 6-week program will teach kids the basics of tennis in a fun-filled atmosphere! Strokes covered include ground strokes and volleys, the overhead, and the serve. The class will also incorporate light exercises and footwork drills to build stamina. Program is taught by a certified tennis teaching professional.
Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer
This league exists for the youth of our community, providing them with the opportunity to experience and develop basketball skills. The primary objective of the YMCA is to develop people, not professional athletes. All Coaches are volunteers who are dedicated to developing youth and will emphasize the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
The Youth Basketball League is open to boys and girls in Kindergarten through twelfth grade and consists of week-day practices and one game each Saturday from December through mid-March. Clinic programs are featured for boys and girls in Kindergarten through 1st grade. Participants in clinics will learn basic basketball skills through fun games and instruction. Boys’ leagues are separated by second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth/sixth grades, seventh/eighth grades, and high school. Girls’ leagues are offered as second grade, third/fourth grades, fifth/sixth grades, and seventh/eight grades.
Players in kindergarten through eighth grade will begin play in December. League-wide evaluations for grades two through eight will take place in November at the New Canaan YMCA. Please refer to upcoming registration packet for the schedule. Players must be registered in order to participate in evaluation day. Practices will begin the first week of December and games will begin on the first Saturday in December. The season will last through the beginning of March.
Registration: Kindergarten-eighth grade registration begins mid-late fall. All paperwork is due prior to participant’s evaluation day.
The High School League is a fun program designed for high school students to enjoy playing the game with friends in a non-competitive environment. Teams are led by volunteer high school captains. According to CIAC rules, participants are not eligible to play in the league if they play for their high school team. After registration, teams will be formed and the high school games will begin. Teams in the High School League do not have formal practices, and just enjoy games on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays throughout the season, ending in March.
Registration: High School League registration begins mid-late fall and has an extended registration deadline in December to accommodate high school team try-outs.
To learn more about our current Y-Ball league, click here.
Whether you’re new to the sport or preparing for competitive play, each session emphasizes skill development, confidence, and love for the game. Lessons are open to novice, intermediate, and advanced athletes and are tailored to meet individual goals through thoughtful instruction and feedback. Available as private, semi-private, and small-group lessons.
Sessions are 60 minutes and come in packages of 1, 5, or 10. Private lessons are one-on-one, semi-private lessons can have up to 2 participants, and small-group lessons can have up to 3 participants.
For additional information and any questions, please contact [email protected].
Our Youth Basketball League (Y-Ball) runs from December through early April for kids in grades Kindergarten through high school. The introductory basketball program, led by volunteer coaches, is designed to teach young athletes the fundamentals of the game in a fun, supportive, and age-appropriate environment. Players focus on skill development, teamwork, and confidence, helping children build coordination, listening skills, and sportsmanship while learning the basics of basketball. Sessions are structured to keep kids active and engaged, with an emphasis on learning through play. Players practice once per week and play games on Saturdays. Everybody plays in Y-Ball, and everybody has fun! No prior basketball experience is required.
Program Goals
Learn more about this season on our Y-Ball page.
Keep kids active, engaged, and learning during school breaks with the New Canaan YMCA School Break Basketball Camp! This half-day camp provides a fun, supportive, and structured environment where young athletes can build basketball skills, stay active, and learn how to play as part of a team. Open to the community, this camp is designed for players of all experience levels. Whether your child is brand new to basketball or already loves the game, our YMCA coaches focus on fundamentals, movement, teamwork, and confidence through age-appropriate instruction and play.
Participants are divided into two age groups to ensure appropriate instruction and game play.
Grades K-3
This group focuses on foundational basketball skills and movement. Camp activities emphasize dribbling, passing, shooting, coordination, listening skills and learning how to play and share the ball with teammates through games and guided drills.
Grades 4-6
This group builds on core fundamentals with more advanced skill work, small-sided games, and basic team concepts. Players continue to develop confidence, decision-making and teamwork in a positive and encouraging environment.
Registration is currently available on our Program Guide.
Basketball Camp is a structured, development-focused program designed for athletes who are ready to learn, grow, and train with peers. Held in the Y’s gymnasium, campers will hone skill development, teamwork, conditioning, and sportsmanship in a positive, safe, and enriching environment. Sessions are designed for athletes who benefit from instruction, repetition, and group-based learning with peers. New this year, athletes will be grouped by the following ages to promote confidence, appropriate competition, and strong peer connections: ages 8-10, 11-13, and 14-18.
Daily Camp Experience
Dates/Time:
Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Session 1: June 22 – June 25
Session 2: June 29 – July 2
Session 3: July 6 – July 9
Session 4: July 13 – July 16
Session 5: July 20 – July 23
Session 6: July 27 – July 30
Session 7: August 3 – August 6
Registration is currently available on our Basketball Camp page.
For additional information and any questions, please contact [email protected].
In addition to Y-Ball, our sports department will hold basketball clinics throughout the year to provide kids with the opportunity to refine skills and further develop a love for the game. Future clinics to be announced.
Clinics are specialized and structured to be challenging, engaging, and fun! Participants will work on all aspects of the game from shooting, ball-handling, fundamental terminology, and most importantly, defensive skills. Clinics take place over December Break, February Break, and April Break.
For additional information about the Y’s youth sports programs, please contact Christian Vick, Sports Director, at 203-920-1634 or [email protected]
We provide age-appropriate programs in a variety of sports and wellness areas that encourage our youth to try new things, while developing interest, skills, and character.