After the Hollister School District superintendent announced
that middle school sports would be cut effective second semester
due to budget constraints, three local schools have decided to
partner with the YMCA of San Benito County to keep the sports
intact with a fee-based program.
After the Hollister School District superintendent announced that middle school sports would be cut effective second semester due to budget constraints, three local schools have decided to partner with the YMCA of San Benito County to keep the sports intact with a fee-based program.
The parent-teacher organization at a fourth, Rancho San Justo, is considering managing a fee-based program as well.
“When we heard about middle school sports being eliminated, we wanted to look to see what we could do,” said Rochelle Callis, the regional vice president. “We have started and have been approved by both leagues.”
Marguerite Maze Middle School is in the Pajaro Valley Sports League, while Gabilan Hills and Calaveras Schools are in the San Benito Athletic League. In order to play, students will still need to maintain eligibility, which includes having a grade-point average of at least 2.0 and no “F” grades.
The programs will be offered to families for $100 per sport per student. Financial aid is available for families that qualify and covers from 5 percent to 50 percent of the fee. For the middle school sports programs, families do not have to have a membership with the Y.
“We are charging $100 because that is kind of a break-even point,” Callis said. “We are hoping families will still want to participate.”
The major costs to run the program include the salary for coaches and referees. The schools have agreed to allow the students to use school equipment and space for practices. Callis did say that the Y will need to gather donations or do fundraising in the future to cover the costs of new equipment as it wears out.
The programs the Y will administer in the spring include sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls volleyball and sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys flag football at Marguerite Maze Middle School; sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys basketball at Gabilan Hills; and sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls soccer at Calaveras School. The season runs Jan. 10 to Feb. 25.
Though the YMCA uses volunteer coaches for other programs, they will be offering $10 to $12 an hour for coaches for the middle school sports programs, in hopes that they might be able to keep the same coaches who have worked with students in the past.
“We are hoping to have coaches who were set up to be coaching who will still want to coach,” said Kristie Again, the regional program director.
But Callis said others who are interested in coaching can contact the Y as well.
“It’s anywhere from a two to seven hour commitment each week after school,” Callis said, for the seven weeks of the seasons.
Callis said the sports programs fall into teaching students some of the YMCA’s core values such as respect, honesty and caring.
“Kids need to have an outlet and sports teach so much,” she said. “It gives them the desire to have good grades so they can continue to take part in the sports they like.”
For the San Benito Athletic League, the program is first come, first served so any student can play. For the Pajaro Valley Sports League, which includes Maze Middle School, the coaches will hold tryouts.
“I’ve been involved with both leagues so that’s been helpful,” said Agan, who has worked as a coach for different sports at the schools. “Kids on my team become friends. Middle school is a hard time, socially.”
Rancho San Justo Middle School, which is part of the Pajaro Valley Sports League, is looking to maintain its sports programs with help from the school’s parent-teacher organization.
See the full story in the Pinnacle on Friday.
