Programs > Sports

YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES

Gain Confidence

Form Friendships

Activities for All Ages

ATHLETES ARE

17 TIMES

LESS LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL – KIDSPLAYUSAFOUNDATION.ORG

ONLY 5%

OF YOUTH AGES 5-18 GET THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF EXERCISE
– NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL STUDY

The Houston Y is the Perfect Place to Learn Recreational Sports

The Houston Y is the Perfect Place to Learn Recreational Sports

The YMCA of Greater Houston offers a variety of youth sports where our sports staff, coaches and volunteers all share a singular vision of helping all youth reach their full potential in life. Our sports programs are for all, helping to build confidence and positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, with flexibility in offerings and schedules in mind that are designed for family convenience.

The YMCA of Greater Houston offers a variety of youth sports where our sports staff, coaches and volunteers all share a singular vision of helping all youth reach their full potential in life. Our sports programs are for all, helping to build confidence and positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, with flexibility in offerings and schedules in mind that are designed for family convenience. While we do our best to have practices at the center, your youth sports practice and game locations vary based on the YMCA in your community.

Youth Sports at the Y

At the Y, we offer a variety of youth sports such as flag football, soccer, volleyball, baseball and basketball that leverage the excitement and passion around recreational and competitive programs. This creates a healthy outlet for children to gain new skills, develop a sense of team and connect with positive role models.

Youth Sports at the Y

At the Y, youth sports such as flag football, soccer, volleyball, baseball and basketball leverage the excitement and passion around recreational and competitive programs. This creates a healthy outlet for children to gain new skills, develop a sense of team and connect with positive role models.

NFL Grassroots Field Grant Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Harriett and Joe Foster Family YMCA

Youth Flag Football

Houston Texans NFL Flag Football at the YMCA is offered multiple seasons. This skills-driven sport offers friendly competition and a focus to develop the skills fundamental not only to play the sport, but also to be successful in the community through commitment, dedication and sportsmanship. Our goal is to cultivate our youth into becoming outstanding people just as much as helping them become outstanding players. Flag football is fun for everyone! 

A group of elementary aged children play soccer in orange and black uniforms

Youth Soccer

YMCA youth soccer is designed to encourage participation and having fun. The basic skills of the game are developed through practices and games coached by volunteer coaches. Our program focuses on building character and incorporating friendly competition. Every child will learn sportsmanship and the values that are necessary to be successful in life.

Two children in purple jerseys holding volleyballs in a gymnasium.

Youth Volleyball

Youth volleyball provides an introduction to the popular sport invented at the YMCA. Participants progress from learning the rules to developing skills in the areas of bumping, setting and serving that combine team play with individual skills. Our focus is on being safe while having fun, the value of participation over winning, supporting positive relationships and good sportsmanship by instilling a sense of fair play and mutual respect for others. 

A profile view of a young boy in a baseball helmet

Youth Baseball

Youth baseball is an exciting sport that develops team play and individual skills while making friends. Your child will learn fundamentals, nurture their skills and feel the support of coaches and a team. They will also learn teamwork, sportsmanship and build a community from within. We aim to keep every child moving and focus on their health and well-being, providing a fun and positive experience for kids to enjoy the game.

A middle school aged girl shoots a basketball while a girl on the opposite team tries to block her

Youth Basketball

After over a hundred years of teaching this sport, we’ve learned a thing or two. YMCA basketball emphasizes fun while encouraging fundamental skill development, teamwork and sportsmanship. Our program gives kids exposure to positive competition as they continue to grow as a player, athlete and person by focusing on skills, rules, mechanics and basics like listening to coaches or being a good teammate to help participants refine their skills in a sport they love. 

Want to make an impact in your community? Volunteer to be a coach today!

Health Benefits

Regular physical activity benefits health in many ways, including helping build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints; helping control weight and reduce fat; and preventing or delaying the development of high blood pressure.* Exercise is one of the least expensive ways to stay healthy, with one study finding that exercise can prevent chronic diseases as effectively as medication.**

* (GAO, 2012)
** (British Journal of Medicine, 2013)

Educational Benefits

Organized sports activities help children develop and improve cognitive skills.* Physical activity, in general, is associated with improved academic achievement, including grades and standardized test scores. Further, such activity can affect attitudes and academic behavior, including enhanced concentration, attention, and improved classroom behavior.**

* (Piche, 2014)
** (GAO, 2012)

Psychosocial Benefits

A correlation has been found between regular exercise and mental health among students in general as they move into the teenage years.* Children who reported no exercise were twice as likely to have mental health problems, particularly related to anxiety and depression, compared with those who met the recommendation of an hour a day.

* (Women’s Sports Foundation, 2004)

Frequently Asked Questions

The Y believes every child should have the ability to learn the fundamentals of each sport to be able to build confidence and positive relationships which lead to good sportsmanship and team work. Our recreational league puts this foundation at the forefront and making Y sports for all.

The Y offers sports for kids 3-17, starting with our Tiny Tots program.

Learn more by visiting our Sports Uniform page. There you will find information on ordering your child’s jersey as well as information on required and optional equipment.

PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING SPORTS SEASON AT DICK’S SPORTING GOODS!

The YMCA of Greater Houston and DICK’s Sporting Goods have partnered to help remove barriers to youth playing sports. As the Official Sporting Goods, Retail Sponsor of our league DICK’s Sporting Goods will be offering discounts on equipment.

If they don’t have an item you’re looking for you can place an order (in-store with a team member) and receive 20% off team sports items. Free shipping and receive your item in 3-6 business days.

View the flyer for full information. Thank you to DICK’s Sporting Goods for their support of YMCA Youth Sports!

The Y believes in creating a manageable schedule that have been designed for family convenience. Participants will have a one hour practice a week during their seven week season. For games, a participant will typically have one game per week for six weeks. We do our best to avoid doubleheaders as well. The length of the game depends on the age group and the sport, but usually is one hour in length.

While we do our best to have practices at the center, your practice and game locations vary based on the YMCA in your community. Y’s have partnerships with local schools and churches to share space and provide additional practice and games spaces.

Yes, our coaches are volunteers whom all share a singular vision of helping all youth reach their full potential in life. All YMCA coaches go through a background check and training orientation prior to the first practice.

Yes, each participant will receive a medal.

A basketball coach holds a clipboard and talks to two boys on the team

“Scientists say that when you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings and make you happy. I can testify that, that statement is true based on our experience here at the Y. Thanks to the Y, my son Mason can learn how to play different sports while he is still young and deciding which one is his favorite. The sports that he plays are helping build him into the young man he is becoming.”

– Andrea M.

“Scientists say that when you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings and make you happy. I can testify that, that statement is true based on our experience here at the Y. Thanks to the Y, my son Mason can learn how to play different sports while he is still young and deciding which one is his favorite. The sports that he plays are helping build him into the young man he is becoming.”

– Andrea M.