Youth sports group stresses fun on field

By TODD DEWEY

VIEW STAFF WRITER

Teams aren't supposed to keep score, though some still do. The league doesn't keep track of standings and there are no playoffs or champions crowned at the end of each season.

That hasn't stopped Nevada Youth Sports from thriving in Southern Nevada, however. The 2-year-old, nonprofit organization, which stresses families playing together, is made up of more than 1,250 kids and 2,000 parents across the valley.

"People do keep score. It's tough to tell a kid 'don't keep score,'" NYS director Mark Johnson said. "But it works out fine. The ones who need extra competition and coaching involvement have to go on to a more competitive setting. We stress beginners.

"We're very unique to Southern Nevada, in terms of what we stress -- parent involvement, kids doing things with their parents and creating memories. It's a great vehicle for kids and their parents to do something together."

Nevada Youth Sports offers year-round coed T-ball, soccer, flag football and indoor basketball to boys and girls ages 4-13. The league doesn't provide teams with coaches, so all coaches are parent volunteers who help out each week with practices and games. There are no head coaches.

"The best way to do it is to not have a head coach, because that way you don't have to depend on one person," Johnson said. "In case the person misses a game or a practice, someone else is able to step in and help out."

The mission statement of Nevada Youth Sports is to strengthen the individual, the family and the community through parent participation in youth sports.

"That's been the key to our success. That's what people enjoy most," Johnson said of the parent participation.

Like other youth sports leagues, though, NYS still has to deal with some overzealous parents.

"There are parents who do get into parent rage, who are very competitive, and the way they deal with things is not true to our mission," Johnson said. "Don't get me wrong, we have many people doing this the right way as we stress sportsmanship, parent involvement and parent coaching, but some go to the extreme. It is sad.

"We're trying to lay the groundwork and foundation for how it should be done, how parents and kids should act."

Lynn Howard, a Henderson soccer mom, has embraced the lighthearted philosophy of the league.

"I want my kids to remember growing up and the good times doing things together," she said. "I learned from my mom and if you aren't there for them, you won't have the solid relationship later. I want good treasures and memories for my kids and NYS brings people together who otherwise would never meet. Let's make the best of the short time we have our kids with us when they are young. We have had fun doing everything with NYS soccer."

Nevada Youth Sports organizes an eight-game season over a 10-week period in the aforementioned four sports. The sports are split into age divisions and there are leagues on both sides of the valley. The seasons take place in the fall (September-December), winter (January-March), spring (April-June) and summer (July-August).

All games are played on Saturday on the southeast and northwest sides of town. In the southeast, games are played at Sunset Park and the Warren Walker Upper School, in Henderson. In the northwest, games are played in the Lake Mead/Rainbow area at Fong Elementary and McMillan Schools, as well as at Gibson Middle School.

"The beauty of NYS and our competitions each Saturday is the joy on the faces of our kids playing soccer or T-ball or basketball," said Johnson, a former sports information director at the University of Minnesota and Marquette and Indiana State universities. "I've been to Final Fours and NCAA (championships) in many sports and attended sporting events all over the country, but nothing beats seeing a kid with his mom or dad after or during a game and seeing their joy. It is priceless."

Those interested in Nevada Youth Sports can call Johnson at 454-7863 or look for a flier in any Clark County school. The registration fee is $40.

Billy Donovan, whose son plays in the league, is looking forward to the winter campaign.

"This is my boy Jake's first sports/team experience," he said. "We had a blast playing T-ball and look forward to the next season in January."