Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~ Youth Volleyball League Thriving -
I s s u e
~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Golf Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Division Highlights
M a r c h
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Youth Volleyball League Thriving
Administration Highlights
~ Athletic Division Highlights
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This year’s endeavor to bring youth volleyball back into the community spotlight is paying dividends, thanks to a coordinated and collaborative effort anchored by Parks and Recreation’s Athletics Division. “I think the key has been our partnership with Johnson City Schools, our staff’s hard work, the coaches, Science Hill High School’s athletic director and the community,” said Joe Ebarb Athletics manager. Registration began in January for the girl’s 8-12 league – a league which currently fields 134 participants and 10 teams. Games began at the end of February and are being played at Memorial Park Community Center. Tournament play begins April 2. “That’s a start,” he said about this year’s numbers. “A boy’s league will be added next year. And if we keep the children first and keep our priorities straight, I see 300-500 participants in the next 3-5 years. We started from scratch. “Anytime you start a new program you must build relationships with schools, parents, coaches, and getting the word out with marketing. It’s a community effort, and attendance has been great.” Athletics’ staff Andrea Zanotti, athletic coordinator and Hunter Watson and Darnell Jones, recreation generalists, have taken all the calls, approved referees, formed rosters, developed schedules and much more. They also have been hard at it with a basketball, soccer, tennis, softball and other youth and adult sports. “They’ve done an excellent job,” Ebarb said. “When they’re doing their jobs like that, it makes mine easy.” A recent visit to watch some games at MPCC produced some fun photos. Parents and friends packed the house to watch teams with names such as, Sugar & Spike and Volley Parton. The cost for youth volleyball participants is $25, $30 for nonresidents. So what do the youngsters or their parents get for that price? “They get something positive in their lives,” Ebarb said. “They gain leadership skills. The girls will talk about it at school. They’ll turn to a friend a say, ‘Hey, we’ve got a game tonight!’” .