A little bit of sports for youngsters

Talk about it

Woodbury’s preschoolers have a chance to get a little field time in.

Woodbury Parks and Recreations Department’s Mini Sports program kicks off Thursday at Bielenberg Sports Center.

“It’s a basic introduction for preschoolers to a variety of sports,” said Recreation Technician Elizabeth Owns, “and there’s still a few spots available.”

Mini Sports runs through April 12.

The program, which is put on by Sports Unlimited, meets Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and teaches children ages 4 to 6 some of the basics of soccer, flag football, T-ball, tag games and soft lacrosse.

“It’s great for them to try out those different sports,” Owens said. “It helps them figure out which one is their niche, which one do they love and which ones they don’t love.

“Plus it’s a great way to get out some of that built up winter energy.”

During the Mini Sports sessions, coaches work with preschoolers to teach them the basics of the different sports before putting them into practice.

The four-week program culminates with the children taking on their parents in a game of baseball.

Filling a niche

Owens said Mini Sports was started about four years ago as a complimentary program to the Parks and Recreation Department’s Pee Wee Sports programs.

Whereas Pee Wee Sports meets in the evenings during the fall and summer, Mini Sports introduces children to a variety of sports in the morning.

“Pee Wee focuses on one sport at a time, whereas Mini Sports has that variety,” Owens said. “It fills a different niche than our other programs do.”

Owens said both Pee Wee Sports and Mini Sports hold tremendous benefits to the preschoolers who participate such as getting them moving and getting them active.

Additionally, both programs teach preschoolers life lessons such as teamwork, sportsmanship and waiting your turn.

“Those are great values to instill in a preschooler,” Owens said.

Over the years, Owens said the department has seen children who participate in Mini Sports or Pee Wee Sports can be found participating in other athletic programs throughout the year.

“They’re getting that basis that sports are fun and moving is fun – they have that foundation,” she said, “and that’s a great foundation to grow upon.”

Mini Sports, which runs March 22 to April 12, meets Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Bielenberg Sports Center Field House. Cost is $59. To register for Mini Sports visit the city of Woodbury website or call Parks and Recreation Department at 651-714-3583.

Tags: news, woodbury, sports