Sports Programs & Instructional Clinics

Citywide Softball League (May – June)

The Citywide Softball program, sponsored by the City Parks Foundation, The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, New York Fast Pitch Softball League and The Police Athletic League (PAL), provides competitive games for boys and girls, ages 12 & under. Teams compete at the borough level before the top teams advance to compete for the citywide title.

For further information, please contact Cory Shaw at (212) 360–3302 or visit BeFitNYC for the latest list of softball programs.

Instructional Baseball Clinics (Turn 2 Foundation)

The Turn 2 Foundation, in collaboration with Parks & Recreation, provides basic instruction in hitting, fielding, and throwing for boys & girls ages 8 to 13 in early July.  Contact Wanda Mojica, Turn 2 Program Supervisor, at 212–360–3308 for more information.

For dates and locations, view our Turn 2 page or visit http://www.derekjeter.com.

Millennium Basketball League and Tournament (January-April)

Get a jump on that jump shot with the Millennium Winter Basketball League and Tournament. The league is open to boys aged 8-16 and girls aged 8-13 and takes place at recreation centers across the city. Teams meet every week (times and days vary by center). For more information, call (212) 360-3333.

Parks Summer Classic (July – August)

The Parks Summer Classic will be tipping off after July 4. This basketball league is open to youth 14-16 who are recreation center members. The winners of each borough face off in the playoff rounds, until two teams are left. The Citywide Championship will be on International Youth Day, August 12, at Robert Moses Playground (42nd Street & 1st Avenue).

Contact your borough recreation office for more information:
Manhattan: (212) 408-0103
Brooklyn: (718) 963-8938
Bronx: (718) 430-1825
Queens: (718) 520-5916
Staten Island: (718) 390-8020

Instructional Clinic: Learn to Play Basketball

Learn to Play Basketball teaches our up–and–coming young players the fundamentals of the game. Dates and times vary from borough to borough.

Contact your borough recreation office for more information:
Manhattan: (212) 408–0103
Brooklyn: (718) 963–8938
Bronx: (718) 430–1825
Staten Island: (718) 390–8020

Hoops & Leaders Basketball Camp (August)

"Basketball is an important part of many people's lives, both as a pursuit and as a past time. It can influence people in subtle ways, helping shape their ideas about how life works and what is acceptable behavior. Once you've seen broad–based leadership in basketball, you can better appreciate the value of giving a cross section of people in any organization or community the opportunity to assume responsibility. You learn that within each of us the ability to excel and lead."
—Senator Bill Bradley, from his book Values of the Game

The Hoops & Leaders Basketball Camp (HLBC) is a free, intensive, two–week youth leadership and mentoring program designed in response to the shortage of male mentors throughout New York City. HLBC leverages the game and joy of basketball as a means of teaching leadership skills to 40 teenage boys while recruiting 40 college–educated young men to mentor these teens during the upcoming school year.

Through nightly themes, basketball drills, tournament, games, off court activities, and guest speakers, HLBC participants learn leadership values and skills such as Discipline, Responsibility and Resilience, Team–Building, Strategic Planning, and Public Speaking. Past guest speakers include Seattle Supersonics Coach Head Coach Bob Hill, NJ Nets General Manager Rod Thorn, NBA Hall of Fame player Nate "Tiny" Archibald, NY Knicks Field Marketing Coordinator Troy Bowers, and NY Knicks Wheelchair Basketball Team Captain Dave Snowden.

A Typical Day at HLBC

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Campers arrive and register at Tony Dapolito Recreation Center.

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Theme introduction, icebreakers, and basketball drills

6:30 p.m.: Mentors arrive

6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Dinner for mentors and mentees

7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Guest speaker

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: Basketball games and off–court activities

9:30 p.m.: Wrap up, dessert, and go home

HLBC Mentors Must Be

• College educated males over 21 and working within the five boroughs of New York City who enjoy playing basketball and are able to work in a team/group environment.
• Committed to a one–year mentoring relationship with a camper.
• Available to attend every session.

HLBC Campers Will Be

• Males, aged 14–16, interested in having a mentor for the upcoming school year.
• Enjoy playing basketball and able to work in a team/group environment.
• Possess leadership ability and potential.
• Available to attend every session.

For further information, please contact Cory Shaw at (212) 360–3302 or visit BeFitNYC for the latest list of basketball programs.

Star Track

Star Track, the first year-round afterschool track cycling program in New York City, runs out of the beautiful, newly renovated Kissena Velodrome in Queens. It aspires to improve the lives of some of New York City’s underserved children, ages 9-13, by teaching them teamwork through the principles of bicycle racing.

Star Track hopes to enhance children’s physical and psychosocial development through their relationships with adult coaches. In addition, the program hopes to give the children a sense of pride and accomplishment through regular athletic activity.

Learn more about Star Track.

Flag Football (September – November)

Our Flag Football league is co–sponsored by the NFL & PAL. This citywide league for children ages 8–14 has been going on for more than ten years.

Check with your local Recreation Center for game schedules and locations or visit BeFitNYC for the latest list of football programs.

CityParks Junior Golf Center

Located next to the Dyker Beach public golf course in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, the CityParks Junior Golf Center is a state–of–the–art facility that offers free golf instruction to New York City children between the ages of 6–17. Highlights include a 6–hole golf course, practice putting and chipping greens, covered driving range and clubhouse with classroom space.

For further information, please visit the CityParks Junior Golf Center website.

Indoor Soccer League (April–May)

This eight–week league focuses on developing offensive and defensive skills like dribbling, shooting, heading, trapping, team attack, and defense. Weekend games provide the opportunity for twenty–six teams of over 250 children to showcase their skills while building individual self–confidence and team unity.

The top team in each borough is given a chance to prove themselves at the league championships. The top two teams are rewarded for their hard work and competitive play with trophies, and all teams receive prizes and certificates while enjoying refreshments. Plans to expand the age groups for the league are in the works.

For further information, please contact Cory Shaw at (212) 360–3302 or visit BeFitNYC for the latest list of soccer programs.

Instructional Clinic: Learn to Play Soccer (April–June)

Learn to Play Soccer is a ten–week instructional program for children ages 6–13. Our recreation staff and soccer coaches put together a curriculum suitable for the age group and gather all the necessary tools to run the program. Learn to Play Soccer is one of Parks' most successful programs; year after year, it draws an average of 160 participants per borough for a total of 800+ participants.

For further information, please contact Cory Shaw at (212) 360–3302.

Hershey’s Track & Field Games (May/June)

The Hershey Company has been sponsoring this exciting and memorable track & field program for more than 30 years. Children ages 9 to 14 have the opportunity to compete in the following events: 50 meter, 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter, 4x100 meter relay, standing long jump, and softball throw. Participants compete against other children from their local area and have the opportunity to advance to state and regional competitions and ultimately qualify for the North American Finals in Hershey, PA. Finalists enjoy a fun–filled weekend that includes a tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory and a day at Hershey Park.

Please note: registration is on the day of the event only—no pre-registration is necessary.

Download the 2009 Hershey's Track & Field Games Results (PDF)

For further information, please contact Wanda Mojica at (212) 360–3308 or visit BeFitNYC for the lastest list of track & field programs.