FORT RUCKER, Ala. (February 13, 2015) -- As spring approaches, Fort Rucker is readying a variety of activities for children on the installation to participate in to promote healthy lifestyles and take part in a bit of friendly competition.
Registration for baseball, softball and jump roping is open through Feb. 28, with evaluations beginning Feb. 17, according to Leroy Minus, assistant youth sports and fitness director for Fort Rucker Child, Youth and School Services, who added that the activities provide youth with different ways to stay fit and healthy.
Jump roping is relatively new to the sports program and was added after Buddy Lee, who is a former Olympian, visited the installation in 2012. He trained children on jump roping fundamentals and the importance of staying in shape, said Minus.
This type of jump roping is instructional, and participants will learn about speed jumps, how to properly turn a jump rope and general jump-rope technique, said Minus.
"Being an athlete, I didn't even know there was a technique to jump roping until I was introduced to Buddy Lee," he said. "But that's why we want to work with the children and teach them jump roping because a lot of them don't even know how to jump rope."
The cost for jump roping is $25 per child for ages 7-18 and will be divided into groups by age to make sure that those with similar fitness levels can participate with each other.
For youth interested in a more competitive, team sport, baseball and softball seasons are around the corner and provide the same health benefits.
"The main thing about baseball is that it's competitive," said Minus. "It's a team sport and the children don't have to be an expert in the game -- they just have to come and get some experience and have fun playing baseball."
Baseball registration is $45 per child and teams will be created by age groups, which are co-ed 5-6 year-old tee ball, co-ed 7-8 year-old machine pitch, co-ed 9-10 year-old Dixie Minors, co-ed 11-12 year-old Dixie Youth, girls 9-12 year-old Dixie Ponytails and girls 13-15 year-old Dixie Bells.
Girls softball registration is also open for $45 for ages 9-15.
All children who wish to participate in CYSS youth sports programs must meet age requirements, and have a current sports physical and a valid CYSS registration, said Minus.
For more information on registration, call 255-2257 or 255-2254.
Coaches are also needed for baseball, so any Soldier or parent interested in coaching should contact the youth center, said Minus, adding that coaches must go through the same training and background check process as volunteers.
"We're looking for people who have the time, quality of work, responsibility, kindness and patience to teach our youth the fundamentals of youth sports," said Jackie Johnson, CYSS program associate. "It's important that the volunteers are excited and engaging with the children because when the coaches are excited about what they're doing, then the children are more likely to have fun and participate."
Randy Tolison, Fort Rucker Youth Sports director, said that coaching is mostly about the commitment to the children.
"We really like to emphasize to our coaches that if they step in to fill this responsibility, those kids are depending and counting on them to be there for them," he said. "The teams stay pretty active and can practice anywhere from two to three times a week prior to the season, and when the season starts, teams will normally practice once a week and play twice a week."
Safety is also a major concern, and volunteers are properly vetted and trained to take on the responsibility. No volunteers will be turned away, said Johnson, but people interested must submit a background packet, which can be filled out in Bldg. 5700, Rm. 193, and attend a mandatory training session.
The training sessions last about three hours, but if people aren't able to attend the session in one sitting, accommodations can be made, added the CYSS program associate.
"We understand that people are busy, and a lot of people find it difficult to come and do the training all at once," said Johnson. "We will work with them and break up the sessions into times that will accommodate them, but either way, the training must be completed."
During the training, volunteers will get an introduction to coaching, training in coaching the specific sport they are volunteering for, concussion training, and will watch a parent video and complete face-to-face child abuse training with an Army Family Advocacy Program manager. This training also gives the opportunity for our volunteers to ask questions, added Tolison.
"I've had some coaches tell me that the greatest thing about coaching is when a kid comes up to you outside of practice or games and just gets so excited to see you," he said. "The rewards may not be monetary, but it's one of those intangible moments that is so rewarding."
For more information on coaching, call 255-0950.
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