The philosophy behind the youth sports program is to provide an atmosphere that focuses on fun, opportunity, sportsmanship, and instruction. Sports can play a positive role in our children’s development, fostering physical skills, and emotional maturity.
Children should have a place where they can have fun participating in organized activities in a healthy, safe environment. We strive to provide quality instruction in the fundamentals of the sport while emphasizing fun and sportsmanship over winning.
By creating a positive experience for the children we hope to encourage a lifetime of involvement. You can help. We need the cooperation and assistance of parents and coaches to promote and demonstrate these values.
Here are 4 Youth Sports Programs to get your athlete moving this Winter/Spring!
Speed Training
PROJECT ATHLETES | 3rd-5th & 6th-8th graders
Project Athletes Speed School offers speed, agility, and conditioning training — a place to belong and a team to be a part of.
Join us as we partner with Project Athletes, a program designed to improve personal athletic ability and personal growth development. This program includes individualized cross-training, a unique accountability program, and an after-school programming option for students in 3rd-5th and 6th-8th grades. Let Project Athletes guide your child on their life journey through positive mentoring. Masks are required
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center & Douglass Community Center
Deadline: February 4
Questions:
- LEONHARD: shannon.walter@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3988
- DOUGLASS: katherine.hicks@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2573
Basketball
YOUTH HOOPS BASKETBALL CLINICS | 1st – 8th graders
Join the Champaign Park District for our NEW basketball clinic offered at the Leonhard Recreation Center. This clinic is designed to develop and enhance fundamentals, game strategy, and sportsmanship. Improve your dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive skills this January. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Champaign Park District cancelled the traditional Youth Hoops season to ensure the safety of our participants.
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Deadline: January 30. $10 late fee if registering after the deadline.
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 401-835-4732
DOUGLASS BASKETBALL CLINIC | 3rd-8th graders
Join the Champaign Park District and FT. SOOY Foundation for this basketball clinic offered at the Douglass Community Center. The clinic is designed to develop fundamental basketball skills while learning teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship.
Location: Douglass Community Center
Deadline: 3rd-5th Grade-April 1; 6th-8th Grade-April 22
Questions: katherine.hicks@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2573
Soccer
CPD KICKS: INDOOR YOUTH SOCCER CLINIC | Ages 5-11
Enhance your soccer skills this winter at the NEW INDOOR Youth Soccer Clinic! Prepare for the upcoming Spring Soccer season by working with our talented instructors to improve your skills on the field. This clinic focuses on improving and developing player endurance and ball control through extensive dribbling, trapping, passing and speed drills. All COVID safety protocols will be followed to ensure the safety of participants and staff. Spots are limited, so secure yours today!
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Deadline: January 30, $10 late fee
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 401-835-4732
YOUTH SPRING SOCCER LEAGUES | 1st-8th graders
Learn hard work, teamwork, and social skills while having a great time! The leagues focus on fun, sportsmanship, instruction, and opportunity. All players will receive approximately equal playing time. Each league uses soccer balls, goals, and fields proportional to their age as recommended by the U.S. Youth Soccer. Teams will play six officiated games on Saturdays or on weeknights (depending on the league).
See Youth Soccer Handbook for more information. >>
Location: Dodds Soccer Complex. Exception: 12U & 14U teams may also have games in
Urbana, etc.
TIMELINE:
-
- Early Bird Registration – February 19
- Last Day to Register – March 8
- Coaches Contact – Week of March 15
- Coaches Meeting – March 16
- Practices Begin – Week of March 22
- Games Begin – April 10
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3984
WINTER ILLINOIS FC INDOOR MICRO SOCCER | Ages 3-5
Our popular Micro Soccer program is going indoors for the winter. This program offers a chance for players to build on what they learned in the early fall or just try out soccer for the first time. All instruction is done by licensed Illinois FC Coaches. For more details, please visit illinoisfc.com. Shin guards recommended and players should bring a soccer ball if they can. All players receive a free t-shirt.
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Deadline: January 30
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 401-835-4732
SPRING ILLINOIS FC MICRO SOCCER | Ages 3-6
Illinois FC and the Champaign Park District will now offer Summer Micro Soccer. Players should
bring a soccer ball (preferably size 3), water bottle, and shin guards to each session. Soccer cleats
are optional. All players receive a free t-shirt. For more details on Illinois FC Micro Soccer, visit
www.illinoisfc.com.
- IFC First Kicks Soccer: The 3 year old classes introduce players to soccer in a fun-filled learning environment. Games and activities promote soccer skill and overall athletic development.
- Pre-K Micro Soccer: The 4-5 year old classes introduce players to dribbling, passing, shooting, and coordination and body movement activities in a fun-filled environment. Games and practice activities promote soccer skills and overall athletic development.
- Kindergarten Micro Soccer: The 5-6 year old classes prepare kids for the Youth Soccer League. Focus is on helping each player reach their potential in a fun-filled and challenging environment. Dribbling, passing, shooting, ball control, decision-making, and creativity are emphasized. Team play is fostered through group exercises and small-sided matches.
- Illinois FC Soccer Academy: The 5-6 year old classes is for players who are looking for a more challenging playing environment. The intent of the academy is to create a bridge between the recreational player and competitive player.
Location: Dodds Soccer Complex
Deadline: Monday, March 22
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 401-835-4732
Softball
WINTER YOUTH SOFTBALL CLINICS | Ages 6-14
Now’s your chance to get in on the summer softball action early! Improve your skills with the Champaign Park District’s new indoor Hitting and Fielding Clinics! These 8-week clinics focus on improving softball fundamentals before stepping on the field this spring. The curriculum emphasizes technique training that strengthens fielding, throwing, catching, and hitting mechanics through fun and interactive drills. Clinic is indoors but will move outside when the weather is nice.
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center & Dodds Softball 3-Plex
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 401-835-4732
GIRLS FAST PITCH SOFTBALL | Ages 7-14
The Champaign Park District has joined the Greater Champaign County Girls Softball League. The league is an instructional girls fastpitch softball program that is designed to enhance players’ skills while enjoying recreational play. Teams will play home and away games against other teams in the area such as Mahomet, Urbana, St. Joseph, and Fisher
Instructor: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 401-835-4732
Deadline: Early Bird by February 21; March 8
Questions: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 401-835-4732
PRIVATE HITTING AND PITCHING LESSONS| Ages 7-18
Work one-on-one with Champaign Park District’s Sports Manager Justice Miller. Book private lessons to hone your hitting or pitching skills! Lessons will be scheduled individually, and dates and times are flexible. Each lesson will be specifically designed to improve your player’s skills by doing
fun, unique, and interactive drills. Contact Justice Miller to schedule your consultation and book your private hitting/pitching lesson today!
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center
Day/Time: Scheduled with Instructor (see below)
HITTING LESSONS: Ages 7-18
- 1 Session
- 30 minutes: $18
- 60 minutes: $28
- 5 Sessions – Reduced cost!
- 30 minutes: $75
- 60 minutes: $120
PITCHING LESSONS: AGES 7-13
- 1 Session
- 30 minutes: $25
- 60 minutes: $35
- 5 Sessions – Reduced cost!
- 30 minutes: $110
- 60 minutes: $155
Contact Instructor to schedule: justice.miller@champaignparks.org or 401-835-4732
Visit our program guide for more information on adult sports programs, special events, and more!
