Earlier this year, the City of Southgate and Southgate Community School District joined forces to bring youth sports to the community, and are now kicking off their first basketball program.

Designed to introduce students to sports at a younger age and provide longer term quality athletic experiences for students, the program will have four divisions for ages 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 and 12-14.

“This program makes students feel more tightly connected to Anderson High school and builds that connection earlier on,” said Stephen Draper, Anderson’s new varsity boys basketball coach.

For many students, this may be their first opportunity to play a team sport, and this partnership gives students in the community the chance to get involved with basketball and learn the foundation and building blocks of the game in a welcoming environment.

“Another perk of this program is that it gives us a little bit more of an ability to create the type of culture and playing style around basketball that we want to have,” Draper said. “Both from an actual play standpoint and cultural standpoint, how we create an environment where kids feel welcome.”

With this partnership, young players will be given the opportunity to develop relationships with older players who serve as role models both on and off the court, not only providing encouragement for the younger players but also creating a sense of community for all.

Draper explained that high school players from Anderson will be involved at each game, helping to officiate and assist the younger students, and high school coaches will be helping out with the trial processes for the upper grades.

Registration for the basketball program is from October 20-November 14, with late registration open until November 28.

Tryouts will be held on Tuesday, January 6, and are for fifth and sixth graders only. Students below fifth grade will be placed on a team based on what elementary school they attend.

Practice will begin on January 12, and games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays from January 24-March 21 at Anderson High School.

Stay tuned for communication from the district and/or Parks and Rec for more information about the program.