Extraco Play Day Summer Wraps Up Fall Volleyball Underway
RWYC kicks off another volleyball season
Ralph Wilson Youth Club’s Fall Volleyball program continues to have a positive impact on area youth.
Below is a snapshot of the 2025 Fall Volleyball League:
· 3 divisions of play (8&Under, 10&Under, 12&Under)
· 665 players (50 player increase over 2024)
· 73 teams (7 team increase over 2024)
· 99 coaches 306 games
The league is comprised of players and coaches from the communities of Temple, Belton, Academy, Rogers, Rosebud, Salado, Troy, Holland, Westphalia, Moody and Cameron.
Extraco PlayDay
Celebration marks the end of Summer 2025
RWYC wrapped up the 2025 summer program with hosting the annual Extraco PlayDay. Extraco Banks has been the generous title sponsor of the end of summer extravaganza for thousands of youth over the years. Extraco PlayDay is a full day of specialized outdoor and indoor activities. Youth have access to inflatable bounce houses and video game experiences, to name a few of the activities. All the youth are treated to the famous RWYC hot dogs and all the fixings on this end of summer celebration.
RWYC & UMHB renew partnership
Partnerships are how area organizations in the community maximize resources to benefit the community. This is the best way to describe the ongoing partnership between the University of Mary Hardin Baylor and Ralph Wilson Youth Club. UMHB’s Occupational Therapy program has partnered with the youth club for several initiatives over the last five years. This year marks the second consecutive year that the Occupational Therapy program has come on site and conducted a backpack awareness program for all the youth in the after school program. The program provides instruction to all youth on how to properly wear their backpack as it relates to the adjustment of straps. In addition, youth are provided valuable insight about the amount of weight that should be within their bag. This information is important in ensuring that youth are not compromising the development of their back and posture. The youth club is grateful to UMHB for providing this service to our youth.
Board of Directors adopts 2026 Budget
The Board of Directors of Ralph Wilson Youth Club adopted the 2026 Budget for the youth club. The annual budget provides guidance to the staff on how to allocate resources to serve our youth. The annual budget also provides goals for fundraising and membership expectations. The 2026 Budget represents a fiscally responsible document to ensure that the youth of our community continue to have access to affordable and intentional programming. Of the projected income for the 2026 Budget, 59% is derived from services provided, 24% from donations and 19% from grants. Grants and donations continue to be a vital component of the youth club’s ability to provide affordable programs for youth.
Blue Front White Back
Ralph Wilson Youth Club is a PROUD sponsor and supporter of Temple Wildcat Football. RWYC staff recently sponsored the football team’s Saturday morning breakfast. The youth club was honored to be able to provide these outstanding student athletes with breakfast following their film study. Several key members of the 2025 team are former members of Ralph Wilson Youth Club.
Pool Table Project
The youth club recently completed improvements to the pool tables, bumper pool tables and ping pong tables in the game rooms. The renovations are important to ensure our kids get access to quality amenities within the club.
25-26 School Year underway
The 25-26 academic year is underway for area youth. The youth club launched the new school year with the addition of two new members to our family of districts / campuses we serve. Troy ISD and Priority Charter Schools enter 2526 for their first full year as service locations. The expansion to these locations provides more youth in our community with access to safe, structured and affordable after school programs.
25-26 SchoolYear -
296 Youth Enrolled
221 Average Daily attendance
25 Schools Served
4 Districts Served
RWYC Youth meet Temple Public Safety workers
Temple’s Police and Fire Departments were gracious in dedicating their time to visit Ralph Wilson Youth Club as a part of our summer program. Police and Firefighters talked with our youth about their careers in public safety. In addition, youth were allowed to tour police and fire vehicles.
Leeza Fincher Staff Spotlight
High School: Lake Belton High School
College: Texas A&M
Field of Study: Political Science
RWYC Tenure: 18 Months
Why she enjoys working at RWYC: “Building relationships with the kids is incredibly rewarding. Watching returning students come back and witnessing their growth over time is something I truly cherish.”
Did you attend RWYC as a kid?: Yes, my sister and I attended for 7 years
Hobbies: Working out, going on walks, and hanging out with friends and family!
At the core of the existence of Ralph Wilson Youth Club is providing programs rich in quality and affordable to the youth of the Greater Temple Community. The ability to successfully accomplish this task is directly connected to community support. Community support comes in a variety of ways. At the heart of support for the youth club is the Club Champions program.
The Club Champions program is the source of $100,000 per year in contributions to the youth club. This represents a significant portion of the $480,000 annually that is donated to support affordable programs for area youth. As the youth club approaches its ten-year anniversary this year, the Club Champions program will play a huge role in the ability of the youth club to address issues related to the growth and aging of the facility.
The tradition of Ralph Wilson Youth Club spans 60 years. Countless youth have benefitted from the experiences of Ralph Wilson Youth Club. Help us keep the tradition alive and well by renewing your commitment to being a Club Champion.
