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New Canaan YMCA

Youth Sports

Youth Sports

Youth Sports

youth sports section

WHERE EVERYBODY PLAYS

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.

Backyard Sports (Ages 3-5)

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.

Golf (Ages 5-8)

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.

New! Soccer Clinics (Grades K-8)

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.

Basketball Clinics (Grades 1-8)

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.

Volleyball: Beginner (Grades 5-8)

This class is an introduction to the fundamentals of volleyball. No experience necessary!

Volleyball: Intermediate (Grades 5-8)

Prerequisite: completed a volleyball basics class. 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.

Preschool Soccer (Ages 3-5)

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.

Boys’ Summer Middle School League (Rising Grades 6-8) & High School League (Rising Grades 9-12)

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.

Girls’ Middle School League (Rising Grades 6-8) & School League (Rising Grades 9-12)

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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Archery (Ages 8-13)

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

Junior Tennis (Ages 6-16)

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

Youth Basketball League (Y-Ball)

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.

Elementary-Middle School Basketball League (Grades K-8)

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.

High School Basketball League (Grades 9-12)

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.

Seasonal Youth Basketball Programs

Youth Basketball League (Y-Ball)

Y-Ball runs from November through March for kids in grades Kindergarten through high school.  Y-Ball is led by volunteer coaches and provides a fun and enriching opportunity for kids to develop skills and knowledge of the game in both a practice and game environment.  Practices are held during the week and games are held on Saturdays. Everybody plays in Y-Ball and everybody has fun!

School Break Basketball Clinics (Grades 1-8)

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.

Basketball Camp (Ages 6-14)

Join us for Basketball Camp this summer at the Y! Develop and hone your all-around basketball skills with individual and team drills, games, and more! Basketball camp is offered in six, four-day sessions for boys and girls ages 6-14.

Dates:
Session 1: July 15 – July 18
Session 2: July 22 – July 25
Session 3: July 29 – August 1
Session 4: August 5 – August 8
Session 5: August 12 – August 15
Session 6: August 19 – August 22

Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm

Basketball Clinics

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.

Contact

For additional information about the Y’s youth sports programs, contact Lenwood Latta, Sports Director, at 203-920-1634 or by email.

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.

Online Registration & Program Brochures