Hey hoops fans, it's time to lace up those sneakers and hit the hardwood because Mesa Parks and Recreation is rolling out the orange carpet for young ballers with the return of the Jr. Suns Youth Basketball league. This year, they're mixing it up by throwing a brand-new co-ed league into the game for kids aged 7 to 14. To get in on the action, all you need to do is head over to mesaparks.com to register.
In an effort to inclusively hoop it up, the city is welcoming kids across four age divisions, ensuring that whether you've barely got your dribble down or you're ready to to casually dunk on your competition, there's a spot for you. Registrations are open until December 30, or until the league fills up, which, let's be honest, will probably be quicker than a fast break. Linking little ones to the court, they're also offering a Kinder Clinic specifically tailored to the tiny talents of 5 and 6-year-olds.
Augie Perez, Mesa's Recreation Coordinator, put it quite simply during a recent update, "The City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Department offers a great opportunity for youth to develop their skills, learn about sportsmanship, experience teamwork and have fun." As reported by the official announcement, volunteer coaches, those unsung heroes of community sports, are set to get some recognition – and training – as they shepherd the next generation of players through passes and plays.
The fee to join the Jr. Suns Youth Basketball League is easy on the wallet, especially for Mesa residents, coming in at $90, while non-residents should expect to fork over $105. When it comes to the Kinder Clinic, tots get in the game for $75 if they hail from Mesa, with non-residents paying $15 more. And if you're looking to snag a financial assist, the city's got your back with a number of scholarships and discounts that can slash up to 50 percent off of registration costs. Parents are raving about it, calling it "the most organized league we've played in," so seems like a decent bet to me.
Whether you've got a mini-Michael Jordan at home or someone who just likes to shoot around, this could be a great opportunity. So why not jump over to mesaparks.com for more information or to sign up? And if you're on the fence, just get in touch with Mesa's Recreation Supervisor, Jason Hendrix, at 480-644-4452 – he'll definitely be happy to chat basketball with you.
