Youth Sports

Basketball 

Basketball’s roots are deeply intertwined with the YMCA, dating back to its inception in Springfield, MA, in 1891. Since then, the YMCA has been pivotal in cultivating a love for the game among the youth, emphasizing character building, teamwork, and a lifelong passion for basketball. Our programs are designed to highlight the fun of the sport while fostering skill development, cooperation, and sportsmanship. By focusing on these core values, we aim not just to create skilled athletes but to develop future leaders for our communities. Click to discover more about our program and how your child can join our legacy.

NFL Flag Football

Our focus is on participation and fun! While basic skills of the game are developed through practices and games, every child learns sportsmanship and values necessary to be successful in life. Every game begins with a Youth Sports Pledge. We encourage fair play, positive competition, and family involvement.

NFL Flag Football – Girls

Our focus is on participation and fun! While basic skills of the game are developed through practices and games, every child learns sportsmanship and values necessary to be successful in life. Every game begins with a Youth Sports Pledge. We encourage fair play, positive competition, and family involvement.

Volleyball

At YMCA Youth Volleyball, we prioritize not only the development of athletic abilities but also the cultivation of important life skills such as leadership, communication, and sportsmanship. Through engaging practices, friendly competitions, and supportive coaching, players learn the fundamentals of the game while fostering friendships and a sense of belonging within our community.

Join us as we serve up excitement, growth, and fun in YMCA Youth Volleyball. Together, let’s set, spike, and soar towards success!

Soccer

Learning and Fun are an easy goal with Indoor Soccer at the Y.

With an emphasis on fair play and fun, soccer at the Y is progressive with age-appropriate rules to help teach the game and keep it fun. Our soccer program focuses on sportsmanship and teaching the basic skills including kicking, passing, dribbling, shooting, defense and working as a team.

Our Summer Sports Camp is a fun, active program for youth entering grades 1 – 6, designed to build skills, confidence, and teamwork through a variety of sports and games. These weekly multi-sport camps welcome all experience levels and focuses on creating a positive, engaging environment where every child can thrive.

• Camp Dates: Weekly, July 20 – 24 and July 27 – 31
• Locations & Times: 
  • North Y: 9am – Noon or 1 – 4pm
  • Valley Y: 1 – 4pm
• Grades: 1 – 6

Whether your child is already passionate about sports or just ready to try something new, YMCA Summer Sports Camp provides a supportive and encouraging environment where every participant feels welcome, included, and empowered to grow. Through active play, positive coaching, and new friendships, campers build skills both on and off the field.

T-Ball

Y T-Ball is a home run! Kids learn the basics of the game plus teamwork, leadership, and making new friends.

Youth Sports FAQ – What Parents Need to Know

Welcome! YMCA youth sports are all about building confidence, teamwork, healthy habits, and a love for play. We believe in healthy competition, positive encouragement, and creating a space where every kid feels like they belong.
Parents are a huge part of that experience — whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or stepping in as a volunteer coach. Thanks for being in it with us!
This FAQ gives you everything you need to feel prepared for the season.

Getting Registered

• How registration works: All registrations are completed individually. Teams are formed by grade and school.
• Early Bird Registration: This is the best time to sign up. Early Bird gives you the highest chance of being placed with a specific school, grade, coach, or friend — and comes with a reduced rate.
• Regular Registration: We’ll still try our best to honor placement requests, but there are no guarantees during this window. Registration closes two weeks before games begin. For questions or available spots, contact Senior Sports Director Matt Clark.

Financial Assistance

• There are two support options available if you need help with program fees.
  1. YMCA Financial Assistance Complete the Programs Financial Assistance Application. Processing takes 5–7 days, and team placement begins once the application is approved.
  2. Player-2-Player Program. Contact Senior Sports Director Matt Clark to learn more.

Refunds

• Refunds are available before practices begin minus a $10 administrative fee.
• A 50% refund is available up until the first game. Once games begin, refunds are not available.
• Weather cancellations do not qualify for a refund, though we will make every effort to reschedule games when possible.

Insurance Requirement

• All participants must have their own health insurance.

Season Basics

• When does practice start?  Practices typically begin two weeks prior to the season. Your parent notification email will include your start date. If your team is still waiting on a volunteer coach, practice may be delayed.
• When will I hear from my coach?  Coaches will contact you within 48 hours of clearing their background check and completing required training. Make sure your email is correct, your voicemail is set up, and check your junk folder. If we do not yet have a volunteer coach, we will email updates.

Communication

• Parent Notifications: Watch for emails from Playerspace — this is our main tool for team, division, and league communication.

Schedules

• If you haven’t received your team schedule, you can always find it on our Sports Schedules page.

Game Day Questions

• What’s my role as a parent?  Support your child, support others, and model YMCA values. Please review the Parent & Player Code of Ethics with your child.
• What do I do about jewelry?  Jewelry of any kind is not allowed and needs to be removed before the game. This rule is enforced by gym supervisors, referees, scorekeepers, and YMCA staff.
• What if the weather is bad?  Weather delays or cancellations may occur, especially for outdoor sports. We will do our best to reschedule, but make-up games are not guaranteed.
• When is picture day?  Picture day information is listed on your schedule. Dorian will also contact coaches with team-specific times.

Coaches

• All coaches are volunteers (usually parents) and are not YMCA staff.
• Every volunteer completes a detailed background check and required trainings before practice begins.
• Interested in coaching? Visit our Volunteer Coaches section (below).

Basketball Jersey Ordering

• Basketball jerseys are ordered separately from program registration.
• Parents will receive an email with a link to order.
• The jersey window opens four weeks before games begin and closes two weeks after the season starts.

Basketball Rules

• For details about the rules, please click on the appropriate link:
  • Recreational Basketball Rules
  • Competitive Basketball Rules

BE A YOUTH SPORTS COACH TODAY.

Volunteer Coaches Information 

We’re seeking volunteers interested in coaching youth sports. Our coaches make YMCA youth sports possible and create a lifelong impact on children by encouraging participation and emphasizing sportsmanship and strong character. When you become a volunteer, the Y will introduce you to coaching and provide resources specific to the sport you coach. If you have questions about being a volunteer coach, please contact our Association Youth Development Executive, Maddy Strait, 509 777 9622 x 4140.

Volunteer Coach Background Check

Currently accepting Volunteer Coach Applications for Basketball, Flag Football, Volleyball and Indoor Soccer.

Required training for Volunteer Coaches*
Concussion in Sports Training
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training
Code of Conduct
Protecting Students From Abuse

*Volunteer coaches will need to complete a background check and all required trainings on an annual basis.

Team Forms
Roster Wavier

Basketball Rules
Recreational Basketball Rules
Competitive Basketball Rules

Basketball – Blank Practice Plans:

Practice Plan Worksheet
Fitness Activities Ages 3-5            Practice Skill Ages 3-5          Warm-Up Ages 3-5          Team Circle Ages 3-5
Fitness Activities Ages 6-7            Practice Skill Ages 6-7          Warm-Up Ages 6-7          Team Circle Ages 6-7
Fitness Activities Ages 8-9            Practice Skill Ages 8-9          Warm-Up Ages 8-9          Team Circle Ages 8-9
Fitness Activities Ages 10-11        Practice Skill Ages 10-11      Warm-Up Ages 10-11      Team Circle Ages 10-11
Fitness Activities Ages 12 & Up     Practice Skill Ages 12 & Up   Warm-Up Ages 12 & Up   Team Circle Ages 12 & Up

Indoor Soccer: 

Practice Plan Worksheet          Warm-Up Ages 3-5
Ages 3-5 Fitness Activities Ages 3-5Little Games Ages 3-5            Team Circle Ages 3-5

Rugby – Practice Plan Videos:
Drills:
Support – passing drill          Kicking – 3 types of kicking the ball           Basic Pass

Fun Games:
Tiger’s Tail            Rounders          Passing Lines          Pairs Tag         Mountie in the Middle

Educational  Material
7 Pillars of YMCA Youth Sports
Teaching Character Development
Concussion Information
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information
Coaching & Core Values – Coming Soon
General Information – Coming Soon

Accessibility for all

Thanks to the generous donors of our Philanthropy in Action, and our commitment to strengthen our community, financial assistance is available to those who need it.

As a mission-driven, nonprofit organization we strive to ensure everyone can learn, grow, and thrive through YMCA programs. Everyone belongs at the Y, regardless of ability to pay.

YMCA Programs Financial Assistance

Please complete the Programs Financial Assistance Application. The application is also available at any YMCA branch or by calling 509 777 9622. Applications and supporting documents can be delivered to the YMCA corporate office at 1126 N. Monroe St. Spokane, WA 99201 or to any YMCA branch. Or it may be emailed, Attention Business Office.

Financial Assistance Applications can take up to 10 days to process once received, longer if the application is incomplete.  Participants will be able to participate or register for the league AFTER the financial assistance application has been processed.