Youth Sports FAQ
I’ve signed up for YMCA youth sports…what do I do now?
You will be contacted by a coach following the coaches meeting. The coach will provide you with information about your practices and game schedules. If no one has volunteered to coach your team as of the coaches meeting then the YMCA will contact your roster to recruit a coach.
Does the YMCA take late registrations?
Registrations will continue to be accepted until children can no longer be placed on teams. Your registration will be processed and you will be contacted by a coach within three business days. An additional non-refundable fee for late registrations will apply. If no room is available on a team you will be notified and the registration money, including the late fee will be refunded.
How are rosters created?
The YMCA uses the following procedure to create rosters:
1. An attempt will be made to place children from the same grade and school together
2. An attempt will be made to place children from the previous year’s roster together
3. If necessary, children from schools in close geographical proximity will be placed together
4. If a child is a late registration, he/she will be placed on a team that needs players and only if space allows
The philosophy of creating teams is to have kids that go to school together play ball together. The YMCA procedure for creating teams allows parents to share rides to practices and games and also provides for shorter, more convenient trips to a local practice site. Occasionally a league may be a combination of two grades. Limiting the combination to two grades is an attempt to promote safety.
Does the YMCA take requests?
The YMCA does not provide space on registrations for requests as most sports programs are placing hundreds of children on teams. If a request is made there IS NO GUARANTEE that it will be granted.
What do the program fees pay for?
The program fees pay for uniforms/t-shirts, coach shirts/hats, sports equipment, referees, administration, certificates, ribbons and any necessary facility/site rental fees.
Who coaches YMCA youth sports?
Most YMCA Coaches are parent volunteers who have indicated an interest in coaching their child’s team on a registration form. Some coaches are volunteers who may not have a child playing, yet would like to volunteer as a coach. Occasionally, it is necessary for the YMCA to call a team’s roster to request that a parent fill a coaching vacancy.
Who works in the YMCA Youth Sports Department and where is it located?
The Association Youth Sports Director is Pat Estes. Josh Guthmueller and Ken Mathia are YMCA Youth Sports Coordinators. Currently, Pat is located at YMCA Corporate, Josh is located at YMCA Central and Ken is at the Spokane Valley YMCA.
Schedules
Most YMCA youth sports games are played on Saturdays. Some of the programs also play games on Friday and Monday nights. If necessary, some Grid Kids football games may be played on Sundays.
Practices
Practice times are scheduled by coaches at the coaches meeting. Teams typically practice once or twice a week at a school near your home. Practice start times range from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and may be on any weekday.
Coaches Meeting
The Coaches meeting is scheduled after the registration deadline and before practices begin. At the meeting coaches are provided with rosters and sign up for practice times.
Meet the Coach Event
The Flag Football, Volleyball, and Baseball programs feature a “Meet the Coach” event after the Coaches meeting but before the first practice.
Uniforms
Uniforms are provided by the YMCA and will be handed out by coaches by the first game.
Snow/Rain
Please wait for the coach to call. Assume that games will be played until your coach tells you otherwise. The YMCA will evaluate playing games on a game-by-game basis because the weather in Spokane can change so quickly. Coaches will typically receive a one-hour notice about a canceled game. Please wait for your coach to call. The YMCA front desk will be informed of a canceled game at the same time as your coach. The make up date of your canceled game will be determined by the YMCA and your coach within 3 business days.
