Photography by Cindy Taylor
Anyone who’s been out to Jonesville Park on a fall evening has no doubt witnessed the flood of minivans pouring out of its parking lot. In one confined area, you’ve got Gatorball, Gainesville Soccer Alliance and the Jonesville Tennis Center all conducting business. As much as Gainesville is a college sports town on the weekends, youth sports dominate the remainder of the week — at this park and many other venues around the town. Whether your child is into lacrosse, tennis or gymnastics, there are plenty of options. Here are some of our favorites.
Cooper, Age 5
Soccer is a great way to introduce young kids to group sports. Terrific passing, impressive ball movement, and strategic goal making: well, you probably won’t see any of that during a preschool soccer game. But what you will see during this “magnet ball” match are a lot of smiles as kids learn to be part of a team, play fair, and enjoy the benefits of exercising in a fun environment.
If your child is interested in soccer, here are some teams that he or she can join:
Soccer Club Teams
Gainesville Soccer Alliance
(352)332-1125
www.gainesvillesoccer.org
Gainesville Youth Soccer Inc.
(352) 505-5151
Gainesvilleyouthsoccer.net
Leg – A-Z
(352)377-6088
www.legazsoccer.com
Nico, Age 9
Lacrosse is up-and-coming in our area. Exposing elementary-age kids to what is referred to as “America’s first sport” gives them the opportunity to refine their skills so that they can play in middle and high school teams. This combination of basketball, soccer and hockey helps kids to improve their coordination, agility, and speed. The great thing is that anyone can play lacrosse: big or small, boys or girls.
If your child is interested in lacrosse, here are some teams that he or she can join:
Lacrosse Club Teams
Gainesville Red Hawks
(301) 802-7336
www.Gainesvilleyouthlax.com
Florida Generals
(301) 802-7336
www.floridagenerals.com
Gainesville Lacrosse Association
(352) 378-5476
www.glaxfl.com
Elizabeth, Age 11
Whether it’s track & field or cross country, running is popular in Gainesville among young and young-at-heart alike. Maybe it’s because of our community’s outstanding trails, the abundance of top-notch tracks at our disposal, or just a result of our health-conscious culture. Whatever the reason, running is a great form of exercise that’s free, available year-round, and a good form of exercise for kids of any age.
If your child is interested in track here are some teams that he or she can join:
Track Club Teams
Florida Track Club
(352)375-3064
http://www.floridatrackclub.org/
Gainesville Striders
www.gainesvillestriders.org
Baseball & Softball Club Teams
Babe Ruth League and Santa Fe Babe Ruth Girls Fastpitch Softball
(352)454-3532
www.santafesoftball.org
www.gainesville.baberuthonline.com
www.gainesvillefastpitch.com
Elite Pro Ball
(352)474-1818
www.eliteproballacademy.com
Gatorball Baseball Academy
(352) 379-2999
www.gatorballtraining.com
Gator Girls Fast Pitch
(352) 327-8145
www.gainesvillessofball.org
YMCA
(352) 374-9622
www.ncfymca.org
Cheerleading Club Teams
Florida Team Cheer
(352) 222-9977
www.ftcgators.com
Team Spirit Cheer and Dance
(352) 331-8773
www.suncountrysports.com
Tumblemania
(386) 454-1779
www.tumblemania.com
Football Club Teams
Boys and Girls Club
(352)373-6639
www.myboysandgirlsclub.com/sports_programs
Pop Warner Football
www.cityofgainesville.org
American Youth Football
(352)682-6071
www.leaguelineup.com/gvillegladiators
PopWarner
www.santafepopwarner.org
Gymnastics Club Teams
Balance 180
(352)340-1180
www.balance180.org
Sun Country Sports Center
(352)331- 8773 or (352) 378-8711
www.suncountrysports.com/ gymnastics
Tumblemania
(386) 454-1779
www.tumblemania.com
YMCA
(352) 374-9622
www.ncfymca.org
Swim Clubs
Gator Swim Club
www.gatorswimclub.com
Makos Aquatics Club of Gainesville
www.makosaquatics.com
Synchro Gainesville
(352) 682-0515
www.gaviatas.org
Tennis Club Teams
Mike Oransksy Gainesville Tennis Academy
(352) 376-8250
www.gainesvilletennisacademy.com
300 Club
(352) 377-6927
www.300clubswimmingandtennis.org
DB Raquet Club
(352) 377-9580
www.dbtennis.com
Jonesville Tennis Center
(352) 331-9558
www.jonesvilletennis.com
USTA Jr. Team Tennis – Gainesville League
(352)870-6134
www.jrteamtennis.usta.com
Volleyball Club Teams
Girl’s Place
(352)373-4475
www.girlsplace.net
Gainesville Athletic Club
(352)258-3137
www.gainesvilleathleticclub.com
Gainesville Juniors
(352)514-3423
www.gainesvillejuniors.net
Vision Volleyball of Gainesville
(352)262-4586
www.visionvolleyballgainesville.com