Southgate Community School District is partnering with the City of Southgate to launch a revitalized youth sports program, combining city and school resources to create a developmental initiative that promotes physical activity and allows young athletes to develop athletic skill and sportsmanship.

This collaboration is set to offer a range of sports programming to children aged three to 13, using school facilities. These sports include basketball, soccer and tennis, and will also include mini camps for volleyball, baseball and softball. These programs come in tandem with the Titan Wrestling Club, a longitudinal developmental wrestling program for Southgate students, as well as a learn-to-swim program and a diving program for swimmers that will be added onto the already existing Gators swim program that has been operating successfully over the past year and a half.

According to Jonathan Victor, athletic director at Davidson Middle School, “This program is about creating a pipeline from elementary school all the way to high school, where kids are learning new skills, building friendships and having fun.”

By exposing children to sports early on, students will have opportunities to develop foundational skills that will allow them to be successful in later athletic experiences and encourage students to stay active.

As the district considers the future of Titan athletics, Superintendent Irvine wants families in the area to know that Southgate will invest in providing the early experiences needed to develop continued interest and success in sports.

“We have noticed that some experiences haven’t been available for Southgate kids and participation has dwindled,” Irvine said. “We believe that this partnership will make a change.”

Southgate families can expect to see registration information distributed to elementary schools later this spring, as well as detailed communications through the schools.

“We’re adding so many new opportunities for kids in the community to get involved in sports, and giving them a change to learn new skills, stay active and build confidence,” said Julie Goddard, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Southgate, who has been instrumental in organizing these programs.

She will work with the district to support some of the league structures that have been successful in past years, as well as support in the promotion, staffing and registration to encourage participation for all of Southgate’s children.

For more information, visit www.southgateschools. com and stay tuned for communications from the district.