I often get questions about sports league sign up deadlines and other sports related info.  So, I would like to create a sports calendar where you can easily see what organizations offer leagues with links to websites and contact info.  I anticipate it will be organized by season – summer, fall, winter, spring.

I will go to city websites and pull that information, as well as the Boys&Girls Club and the All Star Sports Arena.  But what other sports leagues are out there? Soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, swimming, tennis, etc.

Take a minute and email your recommendations to terri@lifepluskids.com or leave your thoughts in the comments.

I really appreciate your help on this!

Here’s a great indoor way for you and your preschooler to use up that excess energy . . .

The You and Me Soccer Program is a fun exercise program at the All Star Sports Arena in Springdale for parents and preschool children (2 – 5 years old). 

The program includes activities that both parents and children can do — many of which will be done with a soccer ball.  You and your child will experience physical activity that develops fitness and coordination. 

The class is offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 – 10:00 AM. Classes are $5/day and registration is not required. Please bring your own soccer ball.

For more information, contact Nancy O’Brien at 445-7100 or allstarsoccer@cox.net. 

Here’s a link to the webpage.

I received this information on Bentonville Baseball registration:

Leagues are being offered for youth from the Bentonville School District who are ages 4-18 as of 4/30/2009.  

Registrations are being taken online with a credit card at www.bentonvillecalripken.org or www.bentonvillebaberuth.org   Addresses are on the registration form.
 
In person registrations are scheduled as follows -
 
            Date                            Time                                        Location
January 10th    9:00 am to Noon                     Bentonville Fire Station #1
January 15th    5:00 pm to 8:00 pm     Bentonville Pizza Hut (fundraiser night)
January 17th    9:00 am to Noon                     Bentonville Fire Station #1
 
This year the Bentonville Pizza Hut is hosting a registration and fundraiser night for Bentonville Youth Baseball.  Bentonville Youth Baseball will receive a percentage of any dine in or carry out purchase made between 5:00 and 8:00 on January 15th.  All a customer must do is present the league provided special flyer when they pay for their pizza.  Flyers will be available at the registration on the 10th and will be emailed out on the 11th.  Even if you have registered before pick up a flyer and a pizza and support our league.
 
The league can be reached via email at bentonvillebaseball@yahoo.com

This afternoon I met Margaux Isaksen, a 16 year old modern pentathelete from Fayetteville, Arkansas who just qualified for the Beijing Olympics.  You can see a recent USA Today article about Margaux by clicking here and here is a link to her website.

One of the events in the modern pentathlon is fencing, and Margaux learned the sport at the Arkansas Fencing Academy in Springdale.  But, don’t worry if you and your child are not Olympic material.  The Arkansas Fencing Academy provides opportunities for all skill levels, from novice to expert.  For example, I also met a father who is taking fencing lessons with his 11 year old son.  They both highly recommend trying the sport.

So, I thought I would repost the following post from last year to make sure those new to Life+Kids are aware of the Arkansas Fencing Academy that offers world class fencing coaches right here in Northwest Arkansas.  Who knew??

A favorite pastime at my house involves Light Saber battles between my two sons.  So, imagine my boys’ excitement when they visited the Arkansas Fencing Academy’s exhibit at the AAO Family Fun Festival last weekend.  They waited patiently in line to dress in full fencing gear and participate in a fencing bout.  Needless to say they loved it. 

I was very impressed by the young fencing students from the Academy, so I asked for more information from one of the instructors.  From the materials:

Are you looking for an exciting active sport that gives your mind and body a real sweat? The Arkansas Fencing Academy offers one of the best fencing facilities in the country.  Its world class coaches will teach you to workout, compete and give you the opportunity to socialize, travel, and obtain scholarships while having a good time.

The beginner classes last 6 weeks and cost $80.  The Academy has gear to borrow for the classes.  For more information check out the Arkansas Fencing Academy website.

• What:  Arkansas Fencing Academy
• Where:  5131 Central Drive, Springdale, Arkansas
• Phone:  479.872.6605

Registration for the YMCA of NWA Swim Club for ages 7 and up will be held on May 31, 2008 at 9am in the Arvest Community Room, downtown Bentonville.  Children joining the club must be able to swim the length of the pool. 

You can Click here to register, or Click here to download a registration form, or Click here to download a flyer about the club.

Cost:  $60 for YMCA Members, $75 for Non-Members

For more info email lrichards@ymcanwa.org

The Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the World Golf Foundation’s First Tee program is registering golfers ages 7-17 for its Spring program.  The registration form and program schedule are available by clicking here. 

You can also register on Friday, March 7, 2008at the Wal-mart on Pleasant Crossings in Rogers from 3-6pm or on Saturday, March 15, 2008at the Wal-mart on Mall Avenue in Fayetteville from 10am-2pm.

More details on the program can be found by clicking here to go to the NWA First Tee webpage.

• Fayetteville, AR Youth Baseball — Ages 5 and up.  Regular registration through February 23, 2008.  Late registration through March 14, 2008.  For more information, click here to go to the Fayetteville, Arkansas Youth Baseball website.
• Springdale, AR Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball — Ages 7 and up.  Regular registration though February 8, 2008.  Waiting list thereafter.  For more information, click here to go to the Springdale, Arkansas Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball website. 
• Rogers, AR Youth Baseball — Ages 5 and up.  Sign ups every Saturday in February at the Rogers Youth Center from 9am until 3pm.  For more information, click here to go to the Rogers, Arkansas Youth Baseball website.
• Bentonville, AR Youth Baseball — Ages 4 and up.  You can register online by clicking here to go to the Bentonville, Arkansas Youth Baseball site.

The YMCA of NWA is starting a Lacrosse Club for 5th-12th grade boys.  The Season Sign up and Players Clinic is set for 2pm, Saturday, October 13th, 2007 at the Lincoln Jr. High Practice Field in Bentonville.