Greenwood County Parks and Recreation Achieves a 10% Increase in Youth Sports Participation
Greenwood, S.C. – Greenwood County Parks and Recreation is thrilled to announce another remarkable year of growth in its youth sports programs, marking a 10% increase in overall participation in fiscal year 2024, with an impressive 1346 youth sports registrations.
In addition to increased participation, Greenwood Parks and Recreation athletes have found success on the court. The Greenwood County Parks and Recreation All-Star Volleyball Team won the 2023 SCAP 12U Girls’ Volleyball State Tournament Champion. The All-Star Basketball Team won the 8U District Championship and will head to Pickens this Saturday to play in the State Tournament for the first time in 30 years.
“We are delighted to witness the substantial increase in youth sports participation again this year,” said Greenwood County Parks and Recreation Director Brad Cuttill. “We’re grateful that our community trusts us for youth sports. This success would not be possible without the continued support of our County Council and the hard work of our dedicated coaches and volunteers.”
Breaking down the numbers, football saw the most growth, with an outstanding 88% increase, boasting 222 participants. Cheerleading had a 1% increase, welcoming 103 participants. Volleyball saw a 13% growth, with 99 participants joining the ranks. Fall baseball recorded a substantial 20% increase, attracting 60 participants. Basketball maintains its popularity with a 4% increase and an impressive 356 participants.
While spring baseball and softball experienced a slight decrease, they continued to thrive with 323 baseball participants and 183 softball players. The overall 10% increase highlights the growing demand for diverse and engaging sports opportunities for Greenwood County youth.
“The rise in youth sports participation is a testament to the excellent programs and facilities offered by Greenwood County Parks and Recreation,” said District 6 Councilman Robbie Templeton. “This not only promotes physical well-being but also instills important values like teamwork and discipline in our youth, contributing to the overall development of our community.”
Starting in July 2023, Greenwood County Parks and Recreation now offers a family discount on registration fees. The discount applies to families with two or more children living in the same household registered to play a sport during the same season. After the first registration, the fee for additional children will be reduced by 50%, making youth sports more affordable for families.
Greenwood County Parks and Recreation provides diverse recreational activities for children ages 5-12, with age limits varying depending on the sport. These programs are designed to offer Greenwood County youth the opportunity to participate in organized and adult-supervised sports, where they can learn the fundamentals of each sport, practice good sportsmanship, and, most importantly, have fun through athletic competition.
For more information on youth sports leagues and recreation, please visit www.gwdcountyparksandrec.org.
