SYAA offers youth many things to do

In many small towns, there is not much to do for fun. Often, we look to sports for entertainment. Even more often, those small towns rally around the high school sports teams. But before those athletes were able to reach the high school level of competition, they most likely competed on a team in elementary school. The Superior Youth Athletic Association, which focuses on elementary age (PK to 6) sports, is proud to be able to provide that opportunity for the youth and instill many valuable skills and characteristics, necessary to be a successful adult.

A common theme in rural areas is lack of numbers. The same theme is proving true in youth athletics as well. Participation in the various sports has gone down the past few years and it is a goal of SYAA to improve those numbers so the youth can play. Unfortunately, with the low participation, a full team cannot always be put together for various sports. Finding coaches and officials, is also a difficult task at times.

SYAA is a board made up of 4 to 5 volunteer community members who are typically parents. Ross Utecht recently occupied the chair of president, Jen Bruns as vice president and Courtney Utecht as operations coordination. Melissa Woerner is the treasurer and Natalie Meyers is the secretary, both of whom are tenured board members.

Each sport has a chairman who typically coordinates the assignment of coaches, games, officials, tournaments, etc. All these positions are volunteer and vital to the continuation of youth sports in Superior. While the coaches are typically parents, anyone with experience can volunteer to coach or assist in any capacity that are willing. Anyone interested in volunteering, in any capacity, can contact a SYAA board member for more information.

Summer is always a whirlwind for families of summer ball players. Superior fitted four tee ball teams, three softball teams and three baseball teams. Tee ball teams play in town on Tuesdays the month of June, traditionally. Softball is typically on Monday and Wednesdays while baseball is on Monday and Thursdays. Softball and baseball teams participate in area leagues and travel out of town for approximately half of their games.

Come fall, SYAA supports volleyball and football. Volleyball is offered for grades 3 to 6 and Superior hosts a tournament each fall. Football is offered for grades 4 to 6 and this year SYAA will join a cooperative with Lawrence-Nelson's youth football program to provide a better opportunity for the youth to have adequate players for a team.

Starting Fall 2023, SYAA will be organizing a soccer program for grades Pre-k through first grades. Please watch for more information to come involving soccer on the SYAA Facebook page.

Winter brings the youth inside to the basketball gym. Grades 3 to 6 are eligible to play. SYAA hosts a league for four consecutive Sundays in November and December. This draws several teams to Superior and youngsters typically play at least two games each day.

Track and field is offered for youth K to 6 and has a large turnout covering that many grades. Practice is offered on Mondays in April, ending with a hosted track meet towards the end of the season. This track meet brings many to Superior with this year having 140 participants.

SYAA sponsors concessions stands to raise money for the equipment, uniforms, officials and insurance, needed for operation. It takes contributions from a lot of people to make these sports programs possible. Without the volunteering efforts of parents and others, the community wouldn't be able to provide the opportunity to youth. Recently, SYAA held a putt-putt golf tournament that was a huge success. Plans are in place to make it an annual event!

Please watch this newspaper and the SYAA Facebook page for more information related to future events and information concerning upcoming game times, parent information, etc.