Eugene Family YMCA, Kidsports Partner to Create More Ways for Local Kids to Play, Move and Belong
Collaboration reflects a broader strategy to strengthen community connections, complement existing resources and expand youth recreation opportunities
Eugene, Ore., October 15, 2026 – The Eugene Family YMCA and Kidsports are taking the next step in reshaping youth sports and recreation to create a more connected network of opportunities for local kids and families.
“We have the opportunity to build a more connected youth sports and movement community—one that gives kids the courage to try something new, the freedom to be curious and, most importantly, the chance to have fun,” said Brian Steffen, CEO of the Eugene Family YMCA. “By working alongside Kidsports and other community partners, we can create more opportunities for every kid to explore, grow and discover the ways they love to move.”
Collaboration Over Competition
Over the past several weeks, the Eugene Family YMCA and Kidsports have been working together to expand traditional sports opportunities for local families. Those conversations have resulted in additional options for families.
Kidsports will continue to provide many of the traditional basketball league opportunities families may be looking for this winter, while the Y focuses more intentionally on areas where the community has asked for something different—from skill-development sessions to open recreation, game days and developmental sports.
The organizations see the approach not as one organization stepping aside for another, but as an opportunity to build on their respective strengths and create a more connected youth recreation ecosystem.
Rather than focusing on where programs may overlap, the partnership emphasizes how the organizations can complement one another, respond to unmet needs and collectively offer a wider range of opportunities for local kids and families.
“Kidsports is well established in traditional team sports, and the YMCA brings opportunities for kids to explore different ways to move and play,” said Bailey Stokes, executive director of Kidsports. “Our shared focus is on expanding access to youth sports and recreation. By working together, we can give more kids opportunities to stay active, try something new and find activities they love.”
That alignment grew out of conversations between the organizations about where opportunities already exist and where gaps remain. Those conversations reinforced a vision for the Y to focus on exploratory physical activity—including emerging sports, outdoor activities and other experiences outside the traditional team-sports model.
For the Y, that represents a model it hopes to build upon: community organizations working together to fill gaps and expand options for families, helping ensure kids have access to the programs they need—whether at the Y or through a community partner.
“Strong communities aren’t built by any one organization trying to do everything,” said Rachel Jackson, Youth Teen and Family Director. “They’re built when we understand what each of us does well, listen to what our community is asking for and find ways to work together. If the end result is that more kids have a place to play, move, connect and belong, that’s success.”
Expanding What Youth Recreation Can Look Like
The Y is expanding youth recreation beyond traditional leagues, guided by community feedback showing interest in recreation (54%), skill development (33%) and social, noncompetitive fun (28%).
This winter, the Y is adding 5-on-5 basketball for kindergartners and first-graders, with registration opening at 7 a.m. Oct. 18. The program responds to requests from parents and complements the 3-on-3 option offered by KIDSPORTS, giving families another way to get their kids in the game. It demonstrates that the Y will continue to explore traditional league play while also exploring non-traditional offerings. A new Recreation and Activities Director will spearhead the efforts.
New to the Y this winter, Itty Bitty Superhero Training will turn running, jumping, balancing, throwing and obstacle courses into four weeks of imaginative adventures.
Come Play With Us, a new Saturday series, will offer 90-minute themed experiences for grades 2-5, filled with movement and friendly challenges. Activities may include ninja and obstacle challenges, capture the flag, relay races, giant games, minute-to-win-it challenges and dodgeball variations.
Families can also explore Itty Bitty Ninjas and NinjaZone, where young children practice following directions and making friends through movement, and jump, roll, balance and climb through gymnastics and obstacle challenges. Other options include Itty Bitty Sports Adventure, Itty Bitty Dance, Itty Bitty and K–1 Playground Games, swim lessons, youth tennis and pickleball, Aikido, Teen Strength, Fitness Basics and Aerial Yoga for Teens & Tweens.
All that play has a purpose. Learning movement skills helps children build confidence to stay active, and regular physical activity can support their mental health as they grow, including reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression according to the Aspen Institute.
Winter Basketball and Team Sports With Kidsports
For kids ready to take to the court, Kidsports offers winter basketball for first-graders through high school students. Registration is open, with deadlines of Nov. 22 for grades 1–4 and Nov. 15 for grades 5–8. Regular-season games for grades 1–8 run from late January through mid-March. Registration for high school basketball opportunities will open Nov. 23rd.
Kidsports also offers FitKids programming designed for introductory development to build coordination, balance, movement, and sport-specific skills for soccer, basketball, volleyball, football and lacrosse. These classes support trying a new team sport and build confidence without needing extensive prior experience. Children of all abilities are welcome. Registration is now open for Little Passers Football, with Little Dribblers Basketball coming soon.
Working together helps expand options for families and connect kids with opportunities that fit their interests—whether at the Y or with a community partner.
“We have an incredible community of people and organizations who care deeply about kids,” said Maeghan Wall, Chief Program Delivery Officer of the YMCA. “There’s so much more we can accomplish when we see one another as partners. That’s the kind of community we want to help build.”
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Beth Casper
Chief Strategy Officer
Eugene Family YMCA
(541) 686-9622, ext. 1403
(503) 302-8776 (mobile)
beth@eugeneymca.org
Erin Regali
Kidsports
541-683-2374, ext. 207
erinr@kidsports.org
About the Eugene Family YMCA
The Eugene Family YMCA is one of the region's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each year across Lane County, the Y engages more than 18,000 people regardless of age, gender, income or background—to nurture the potential of children, teens and seniors; improve health and well-being; and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In 2020, the Eugene Family YMCA awarded $413,506 in financial assistance. The YMCA has been serving the Eugene-area since 1887.
About Kidsports
At KIDSPORTS, our motto is “All Kids Play". Our programs are open to any child who is able to participate, regardless of race, religion, creed, sex, ability or financial status. We provide a pathway for kids to rise from toddlers to young adults, playing sports and enjoying physical activity to help them grow as individuals and community members. We instill in them that teamwork, sportsmanship and having fun are more important than winning – values they'll carry with them throughout their lives.
Founded in 1953, KIDSPORTS has grown to serve approximately 14,000 children per year with over 1100 volunteer coaches and 28 core and complimentary programs including FitKids, our entry level, adaptive sports and movement programs for children 18 months and up. We understand that cost can be a barrier for many families and thanks to generous donor support we are able to offer scholarships, discounts and vouchers to families who may need financial assistance.
KIDSPORTS operates on the multi-sport model, promoting physical literacy and instilling lifelong healthy habits.
