Marengo Recreation Commission prepares for fall leagues

MARENGO — The Marengo Recreation Commission is coming off a busy summer of activities.

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The Commission held its summer baseball and softball leagues for youth and also has grown and added opportunities for preschool aged kids in soccer and tee-ball.

As a whole, the Commission provides opportunities to preschoolers up to sixth graders.

“Our goal is to get boys and girls involved in physical activity, to build relationships with other kids, learn to work together and ultimately have fun while participating in our sports activities,” Commission Director Ray Cooling said.

Cooling also serves as the Activities Director for Iowa Valley.

Now the Commission turns to its fall leagues, which include flag football, volleyball and soccer.

Flag football

The flag football leagues will involve first to fourth graders.

First and second graders will be combined in one division; third and fourth graders will be in another. Both divisions will participate in the Williamsburg league.

The first practice for the league is set for next week.

Volleyball

The volleyball program is for grades three to six.

Grades three and four will be paired together and focus more on practicing together and working on skill development in things such as serving and passing.

Grades five and six will be in a league with teams from Belle Plaine, Montezuma, HLV and BGM.

Teams will rotate hosting games on Sunday afternoons.

Practices won’t begin until late August. Games start in September.

Soccer

The soccer league will be for preschoolers up to second graders and will be in two separate divisions as with flag football and volleyball.

The soccer program is not a travel league. Instead, teams will be formed within the group and will play each other.

Practices and games won’t begin until September.

The deadline has passed for the flag football league registration, but anyone looking for information on the volleyball and soccer leagues can find it on the Marengo Recreation Commission website.

Future growth

The Commission hopes to see continued growth in its programs.

“We offer flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and summer baseball and softball. I would just like to see the continued support from our board, parents and community,” said Cooling.

“We are very lucky to have such great parents when it comes to helping out and coaching,” Cooling said.

“So just keeping this tradition going with all the community and parent support will help us to continue growing and moving in the right direction.”

Youth sports have become a billion dollar industry, for better or worse.

As expensive travel leagues become more the norm, town leagues hope to continue providing opportunities in their communities.