PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — As new sports seasons begin, our area youth leagues are in need of volunteer coaches.
Many people think of sports as just an extracurricular activity, but for many children, sports are a haven and a way to make lifelong friends.
Kim Kendall spends two hours a day training her son at Hester Community Center in Boynton Beach.
“I started training him when he was 5 years old,” Kendall said. “It brings us closer because I'm the only one he has. He knows the game better. I'm preparing him for the future.”
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Although she spends her time improving her son's basketball skills, she also credits the influence of youth coaches.
“Most kids need that structure and support,” Kendall said. “Kids need people who believe in them. Without that, I think a lot of kids would fail.”
While Kendall and her son bond at the Hester Community Center, Boynton Beach administrators are working together to ensure there are enough coaches for all sports teams.
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Recreation Supervisor Todd Johnson said about 200 to 300 kids participate in youth sports.
Johnson said teams are ready to start playing next season, but they need more volunteer coaches, even if it's just a backup plan.
“If something happens to someone and they're not able to do it in a particular season, we have a foundation that we can draw from,” Johnson said.
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Additional volunteer coaches aren't just an issue in Boynton Beach, the community, including Palm Beach Gardens, also feels the need.
“Almost all recreational sports are run by volunteer parents,” said Manolo Calvo, president of the Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association. “This allows us to operate virtually for free, keeping costs very low for the whole family.”
Calvo said the organization doesn't have to cut teams, but is trying to keep up with the growth of youth sports.
“There are about 1,300 kids in soccer alone, and in baseball it's about 600 kids, so every team needs parents,” Calvo said. “They need coaches. They need assistant coaches. And we need volunteers.”
