Youth Sports

Improve your skills, make new friends, be active with other kids and learn to love a sport at the Y. Youth sports are a fun and engaging way to practice our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith. From Jr. NBA Basketball to Tae Kwon Do - we'll help your child develop important life lessons, including positive competition, fair play, the value of participation over winning, team-building and positive self-image.  

Program List

Take your game to the next level! Our focus is to improve existing skills while also helping youth acquire and develop new skills to help them in their game. This class is designed to teach youth ages 6-10 years old teamwork and confidence in their sport-specific skills all in a fun practice-like environment. All necessary equipment is provided. Come dressed in clothes to move in with athletic shoes. This 45-minute class will be held Saturday mornings at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA and Tuesday evening at the Northeast Family YMCA.

Cost:
$48/Member
$96/Program Member Register

Dreams of becoming a future NBA basketball player start in the YMCA of Rock River Valley and Rockford Park District's Jr. NBA Basketball League! The program is designed to give youth self-confidence, increased activity levels, fundamental skills - all in a fun environment. This co-ed league guarantees playing time for all participants. 

Players must commit to one 60-minute practice (45-minute for preschool) at either the Northeast Y, SwedishAmerican Riverfront Y, or UW Sports Factory (coach's choice). Additionally, players Kindergaten - 5th Grade must commit to one 40-minute game on Saturday morning at UW Sports Factory. 

All of our participants will receive a replica NBA uniform, award and certificate. Kindergarten - 5th Grade will have two in-house tournaments. Preschoolers will work towards a game at the end of the session.

Basketball Size Information:
Little Hoopers (3 & 4 year olds) need a Junior size basketball (27.5 inches)*
Rookies (Grades K-1st) need a Junior size basketball (27.5 inches)
Pros (Grades 2nd-3rd) need an intermediate basketball (28.5 inches)
All-Stars (Grades 4th-5th) need an official size basketball (29.5 inches)

Ages: Preschool - 5th Grade
Season Runs: October 28 - December 2
Member Cost: $95
Program Member Cost: $115 Register

Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate lessons for ages 10 and up taught by a 5th degree black belt. This style of Karate is open-hand learning and self defense in the form of avoiding or escaping an attack. Students will learn the proper way to fall so they are not hurt, and how to recover and get back up. Katas will teach balance, as well as hand and body control, which helps build self-confidence. Beginner (white/yellow/green belt) and Intermediate/Advanced (blue belt and up) classes offered.

  Register

The Y and Kids Spot partner to bring dance and tumbling classes to our SwedishAmerican Riverfront and Northeast Family YMCA facilities. The follow class types are offered for ages 3-5 & 6-10:

Ballet/Tap Combo
Ballet/Tap/Tumble Combo
Beginning Tumbling
Hip Hop
Tiny Tumblers 

All participants must be potty trained. Register for Classes

Designed to give youth self-confidence and increased activity levels, this basketball program will teach the fundamentals of the game in a fun practice environment. 30-minute class sessions will be held at the Northeast Family and SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA facilities.  All necessary equipment is provided. Participants are asked to come in clothes to move in with athletic shoes.

Session Offerings:
Saturdays - 8:45am, 9:15am and 9:45am at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA
Tuesdays - 4:30pm and 5pm at the Northeast Family YMCA

New sessions starting monthly!

Member Cost: $48
Program Member Cost: $96 Register

Expose your pre-schooler to the basic fundamentals of soccer in a fun environment. The focus of these 30-minute sessions will be teaching participants how to move their bodies, follow directions, interact in a social setting, and most importantly - have fun! All necessary equipment is provided. Come dressed in clothes to move in and athletic shoes. This is an indoor program, so we ask that participants do not wear soccer cleats.

Session Offerings
Mondays - 4:30pm, 5pm and 5:30pm at the Northeast Family YMCA
Thursdays - 4:30pm, 5pm and 5:30pm at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA

New sessions starting monthly!

Member Cost: $48
Program Member Cost: $96 Register

Expose your pre-schooler to the basic fundamentals of baseball in a fun environment. The focus of these 30-minute sessions will be teaching participants how to move their bodies, follow directions, interact in a social setting, and most importantly - have fun! All necessary equipment is provided, but participants may bring their own bat and gloves. Come dressed in clothes to move in and athletic shoes. 

Session Offerings
Wednesdays, 4:30pm, 5pm or 5:30pm at Wantz Park (602 E. Riverside Blvd. Loves Park, IL 61111)

New sessions starting monthly through August!

Member Cost: $48
Program Member Cost: $96 Register

My Kicker & Me is an adult and child class focused on introducing the game of soccer to children in a fun and encouraging environment! In this class, you’ll work together with your child to help them understand how their body moves, develop coordination, score lots of goals, and participate in activities that target a toddler's unique way of learning. All necessary equipment is provided.

Session Offerings
Wednesdays, 10:30am at the Puri Family YMCA

New sessions starting monthly in September!

Member Cost: $48
Program Member Cost: $96 Register

Through a partnership with the Rockford Park District, we are scoring a touchdown with the NFL Flag Football program. Skill level doesn’t matter when it comes to NFL Flag Football. All participants will receive an official NFL Flag Football jersey, a set of flags, trophy and a NFL certificate. NFL Flag for ages 5-11 consists of a 6-8-game season and playoffs. Practices, at least two per week, are held in various schools and parks.

NEW - We are offering a Jr. NFL Flag Football program for ages 3 and 4 to learn the basic fundamentals in practice sessions. Click HERE to register your preschooler.

Please note - registration for ages 5-11 is through the Rockford Park District. Please use the button below to see offerings. Register

Classes and practices not enough? Looking to add an edge to your game? Why not try a session with an experienced coach and athlete! We are currently offering sessions for  basketball, soccer and baseball. Packages include 4 sessions for 30 or 60 minutes.

Personal Training for sports is available for ages 5 to 18 at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA and Northeast Family YMCA.  Register

BE GOAL ORIENTED! Youth Soccer is an exciting sport combining team play and individual skills. The YMCA teams with the Rockford Raptors organization. We are serving children as young as 18 months in the Raptor Tots program. All skill levels are welcome. Every child gets to play and the games are safe, exciting and fun. We encourage fair play, positive competition, and family involvement. Ages 4 – 14 years
 
All registration handled through the Raptors. YMCA members receive $10 off any registration fee. Learn More

Reach your peak on our climbing wall. Whether your child is trying climbing for the first time or has scaled every wall in your house, we have the spot for them on our climbing wall. Our team of trained climbers can get you ready to reach new heights. Parents can join the fun, too.

Open Climb Times: 
Monday, Thursday & Friday 4-7pm
Saturdays 10am-2pm

Beginner & Intermediate Climbing Classes are offered on Wednesday evenings. Register

Learn and practice the art of self-defense over the course of 4 weeks. New sessions start monthly. Participants will learn the following:

How to avoid an encounter that could lead to an attack
Where to strike to disable an attacker
How to escape a choke or hold and subdue an attacker 
Simple and effective kicks and strikes 
Martial arts experience is not required. Class is taught by Master Victor Fong, 6th Degree Black Belt with over 35 years experience teaching martial arts. 

Classes are held on Thursdays from 11-11:55am at our Northeast Family YMCA. Register for Classes

Discipline. Dedication. Desire. Top-notch martial arts training is available in Tae Kwon Do. Learn how to use your strength effectively, maintain cardiovascular fitness, improve flexibility and coordination. Embracing the mental and spiritual element of martial arts will improve the minds focus and enable you to develop self-control, build confidence and manage stress. Children also learn how to deal with bullies and strangers. Ages 6 and up. Parents can register with their children.

  Register