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Haverhill YMCA is making adjustments as its summer sports program draws to a close later this month.
Sports Coordinator Paul Witmer recently left the YMCA to work in intermural sports at Brandeis University. Haverhill YMCA Executive Director Tracy Fuller told WHAV the YMCA posted the job opening, but is also looking internally to find someone to take Witmer’s place. Currently, the summer sports program is being run by the sports staff.
Throughout the summer the Haverhill YMCA is also offering free summer sports programs for teens and adults.
“I think our sports programs as a whole continue to grow because we’re really trying to offer during the days and times that, families are busy, and we’re offering sports classes when families are looking to participate. Whether it’s late afternoons and evenings or on weekends.”
Fuller said, so far, the most popular programs offered are open—volleyball on Monday nights, middle school basketball on Tuesdays and adult-men’s basketball on Wednesday nights. Fuller said the men’s league has been popular and there are currently six teams in the league.
Fuller listed teen strength and teen cooking programs as other activities the YMCA is offering. She said that attendance has been growing every week.
Fuller said all of the YMCA’s summer sports programs are currently free, with no membership required. The summer sports leagues and teen programs are being paid by grants and scholarships, the largest of these being Haverhill’s Community Development Block Grant and the Department of Conservation and Recreation Summer Nights Program.
She explained how YMCA’s mission is related to Haverhill’s sports culture.
“We continue to see in Haverhill that families are looking for places to be and to get involved. An entry-level opportunity for sports is great,” Fuller said. “When you look at programs that engage three-, four- and five-year olds, it’s a lot about developing their confidence, it’s learning a new sport without a lot of pressure, and that’s what the YMCA is about,” she added.
Summer sports programs end the week of Aug. 17. Fuller said the end date will give the YMCA time to “pivot, wrap up camp and launch our fall programs.” Registration for fall programs I currently underway.