Youth Athletics

York Youth Cheerleading

York Parks and Recreation is proud to partner with York Youth Football to bring back York Youth Cheerleading! This program is designed for children in grades 2nd to 8th in York and Kittery, Maine. YYC hopes to foster imperative lifelong skills through gymnastics, stunting, dance, and more while building confidence and team bonding!

York and Kittery Residents Only!

REGISTRATION: April 1st through July 31st, 2026
STARTS:            Week of August 3rd
ENDS:               Week of November 6th
COST:               $175.00 per athlete
LOCATION:        Bog Road Fields and York High School
SCHEDULE:
Grades 2-3: Monday & Wednesday, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Grades 4-5: Monday & Wednesday, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Grades 6-8: Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00pm-7:30pm

Swimming Lessons at the Anchorage Inn - Ages 5 and Up

ALL LESSONS ARE NOW FULL!

Thanks to the generosity of the Anchorage Inn on Long Sands Beach in York for providing an opportunity for swim lessons. Classes are taught by Nikki Hill, a lifelong resident of York, is the owner and lead instructor of her own swim school, which she has successfully operated for more than 13 years. With a passion for teaching and a love for the water, Nikki specializes in working with children as young as 18 months, helping them build confidence, learn water safety skills, and develop strong swimming fundamentals. Her patient and encouraging teaching style makes every lesson a positive experience—whether a child is just beginning or advancing to more challenging techniques. Nikki’s dedication to water safety and skill development has helped countless swimmers grow into confident, capable athletes, all while keeping lessons fun and engaging.

Classes are held once a week, on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday afternoon. These classes have limited space available and fill quickly, so don’t hesitate to register. Please have your child ready to swim when you arrive. There is a small changing room for use after the class. To ensure maximum safety at all times, parents are asked to stay during swimming lessons, this not only helps increase the child’s comfort level in water but can help parents understand the process and practice skills with their children between classes.

Please bring goggles!

Children who cannot stand flat footed in the shallow end of the pool are not eligible to register. The pool is 3 feet at the shallow end.

Level 1 - Beginner - Must be able to:
Safely enter and exit the water
Blow bubbles and open eyes underwater
Glide and float on front and back
Recover to a standing position from a front or back glide
Perform combined arm and leg actions

Level 2 - Advanced Beginner - Must be able to:
Submerge head and roll over from front to back and back to front
Float independently for a short duration
Tread water using arm and leg motions
Swim on the front and back using combined strokes

Levels 3 & 4 - Stroke Development/Improvement - Must be able to:
Jump into deep water
Bob with the head fully submerged
Perform rotary (side) breathing
Swim front crawl and backstroke for short distances
Perform butterfly and breaststroke kicks
Swim front crawl for longer distances (e.g. 25 yards)
Swim the entire front crawl stroke with more coordination
Tread water using different kicks
Perform compact and stride entries
Retrieve an object from underwater

Mondays
3:30pm-4:05pm – Level 1 - Beginner
4:10pm-4:45pm – Level 1 - Beginner
4:50pm-5:25pm – Level 2 - Advanced Beginner
5:30pm-6:05pm – Level 2 - Advanced Beginner

Tuesdays
3:30pm-4:05pm – Level 2 - Advanced Beginner
4:10pm-4:45pm – Level 2 - Advanced Beginner
4:50pm-5:25pm – Level 1 - Beginner
5:30pm-6:05pm – Level 2 - Advanced Beginner

Wednesdays
3:30pm-4:05pm – Level 2 - Advanced Beginner
4:10pm-4:45pm – Level 1 - Beginner
4:50pm-5:25pm – Level 2 - Advanced Beginner
5:30pm-6:05pm – Level 3/4 - Stroke Development/Improvement

REGISTRATION: York Residents begins Monday, December 15th
                                  Non-Residents Monday, December 22nd
STARTS:                 January 5th
ENDS:                     March 18th
COST:                     $80.00 Resident / $90.00 Non-Resident
LOCATION:           Anchorage Inn, Long Beach Avenue
DAYS:                     Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday
TIMES:                   See schedule above - Classes will be held on Jan. 19th (MLK Day) - No Classes the week of February 9th-11th, 16th-18th, 23rd-25th

Lil’ Ballers Basketball - Ages 3 & 4 – Parent Involvement

We use a variety of fun games to develop balance, movement, and basketball skills as well as listening to instructions in this 4-week program. Participants will use a size 3 basketball and shoot on 8-foot hoops to slowly introduce them to competitive play. Parents will be encouraged to participate with their child to make this fun for the whole family. Sneakers required; shorts recommended.

REGISTRATION:  September 22nd - January 23rd
STARTS:                  February 7th (no basketball on February 21st)
ENDS:                      March 7th (make-up date, if necessary, March 14th)
COST:                      $40.00 Resident / $50.00 Non-Resident (t-shirt included)
LOCATION:           Coastal Ridge Elementary School
DAY:                        Saturdays
TIME:                      8:00am-1:00pm (Each session is 45 minutes)

2026 LIL BALLERS SCHEDULE

2026 LIL BALLERS ROSTERS

Indoor Soccer - Ages 3-4

Our Indoor Soccer Program for players ages 3 and 4 is designed to introduce toddlers to the basics of soccer in a fun, safe, and energetic environment. We’ll use simple, age-appropriate drills to help kids develop their coordination, balance, and social skills, while fostering a love for the game. Through engaging activities and games, children will begin to develop essential soccer skills while learning how to play, share, and be part of a team. This is a 100% parent involvement program. Sneakers required; shin guards recommended.

REGISTRATION:  Ongoing until February 28th
STARTS:                 March 14th
ENDS:                     April 11th
COST:                     $50.00 Resident / $60.00 Non-Resident (team t-shirt included)
LOCATION:          York Middle School
DAY:                       Saturday
TIME:                    TBD – Based on # of teams

Tiny Strikers Rosters

Tiny Strikers Schedule

Indoor Soccer - Ages 5-7

Whether your child is a beginner or has some soccer experience, this program is designed to build their skills, confidence, and love for the game while having tons of fun. Our focus is on creating a positive, energetic environment where every child can enjoy the game of soccer. For the first couple of weeks we’ll focus on dribbling, passing, shooting, and controlling the ball and progress into weekly scrimmages so players can learn positioning, teamwork, and strategy. Sneakers required and shin guards required.

REGISTRATION: Ongoing until February 28th
STARTS:                 March 14th
ENDS:                    April 11th
COST:                    $50.00 Resident / $60.00 Non-Resident (team t-shirt included)
LOCATION:          York Middle School
DAY:                       Saturday
TIME:                    TBD – Based on # of teams

Mighty Mites Rosters

Mighty Mites Schedule

Lil’ Sluggers Baseball - Ages 3 & 4

Lil’ Sluggers is designed to prepare boys & girls ages 3 & 4 for their journey into organized team play. Our goal is to help our young athletes improve and continue to develop social and physical skills in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Lil’ Sluggers will help build confidence, reinforce team play, and foster a love for the game. Having FUN, building confidence, learning baseball, in that order. Parents are encouraged to participate with their children for some family fun. A baseball glove and sneakers or cleats are required. All other equipment is provided.

REGISTRATION:  Ongoing until April 17th
STARTS:                 May 2nd
ENDS:                     May 30th (No Lil Sluggers on May 23rd – Memorial Day Weekend)
COST:                     $50.00 Residents / $60.00 Non-Residents (t-shirt and hat included)
LOCATION:          Bog Rd. Baseball Field
DAY:                       Saturdays
TIME:                     Mornings

Kittery/York Lacrosse (KYL) Grades 5-6 - Boys and Girls

This 5th & 6th Grade Co-Op Lacrosse Program is designed to help young athletes build strong fundamentals while growing their love for the game. Teams will practice twice each week, with each session focusing on skill development, game understanding, and confidence-building.

During practices, players will work on essential lacrosse techniques, including throwing, catching, cradling, ground balls, positioning, and shooting, while also learning the official rules of the game. Coaches emphasize proper form, teamwork, and sportsmanship to ensure every athlete progresses at their own pace.

The Maine Youth Lacrosse League (MEYL) organizes the official game schedule, which will be released in late March/early April. Most games will take place on Saturdays and/or Sundays, though there may be occasional weekday matchups throughout the season.

This co-op program will not only develop strong lacrosse players but also promote teamwork, confidence, and a positive athletic experience for athletes from both communities. It’s a great opportunity for players to learn, grow, and compete in a supportive and fun environment.

REGISTRATION: Ongoing until March 1st
STARTS:                 Mid March – Weather and Field Conditions Permitting
ENDS:                     June 14th (No games Memorial Day Weekend)
COST:                     $125.00 Resident / $135.00 Non-Resident (reversible jersey included)
LOCATION:          Practices & Games Played in York & Kittery
DAYS/TIMES:      TBD by Maine Youth Lacrosse League (MEYL)

Lacrosse - Grades 3-4 - Boys and Girls

This 3rd & 4th Grade Co-Op Lacrosse Program is designed to help young athletes build strong fundamentals while growing their love for the game. Teams will practice twice each week, with each session focusing on skill development, game understanding, and confidence-building.

During practices, players will work on essential lacrosse techniques, including throwing, catching, cradling, ground balls, positioning, and shooting, while also learning the official rules of the game. Coaches emphasize proper form, teamwork, and sportsmanship to ensure every athlete progresses at their own pace.

The Seacoast Area Youth Lacrosse League (SAYLL) organizes the official game schedule, which will be released in mid March. Most games will take place on Saturdays and/or Sundays, though there may be occasional weekday matchups throughout the season.

This co-op program will not only develop strong lacrosse players but also promote teamwork, confidence, and a positive athletic experience for athletes from both communities. It’s a great opportunity for players to learn, grow, and compete in a supportive and fun environment.

REGISTRATION:  Ongoing until March 1st
STARTS:                 Mid March – Weather and Field Conditions Permitting
ENDS:                     June 14th (No games Memorial Day Weekend)
COST:                     $125.00 (reversible jersey included)
LOCATION:          Practices & Home Games Played in Kittery & York 
DAYS/TIMES:      TBD by Seacoast Area Youth Lacrosse League (SAYLL)

Lacrosse - Grades 1-2 -Boys and Girls

This 1st & 2nd Grade Co-Op Lacrosse Program is designed to help young athletes build strong fundamentals while growing their love for the game. Teams will practice twice each week, with each session focusing on skill development, game understanding, and confidence-building.

During practices, players will work on essential lacrosse techniques, including throwing, catching, cradling, ground balls, positioning, and shooting, while also learning the official rules of the game. Coaches emphasize proper form, teamwork, and sportsmanship to ensure every athlete progresses at their own pace.

The Seacoast Area Youth Lacrosse League (SAYLL) organizes the official game schedule, which will be released in mid March. Most games will take place on Saturdays and/or Sundays, though there may be occasional weekday matchups throughout the season.

This co-op program will not only develop strong lacrosse players but also promote teamwork, confidence, and a positive athletic experience for athletes from both communities. It’s a great opportunity for players to learn, grow, and compete in a supportive and fun environment.

REGISTRATION:  Ongoing until March 1st
STARTS:                 Mid March – Weather and Field Conditions Permitting
ENDS:                     June 14th (No games Memorial Day Weekend)
COST:                     $95.00 (reversible jersey included)
LOCATION:          Practices & Home Games Played in Kittery & York 
DAYS/TIMES:      TBD by Seacoast Area Youth Lacrosse League (SAYLL)

Gymnastics - Grades 5-6

Join our Gymnastics & Yoga class! This dynamic program combines the mindfulness and flexibility of yoga with the strength and agility of gymnastics. Participants will learn fundamental gymnastics skills like balance and coordination, along with yoga poses that promote self-awareness and relaxation. The class includes fun games and challenges in a safe environment, making it perfect for all abilities. Encourage your child to embrace their physical potential, make new friends, and cultivate a healthy lifestyle! Each session will conclude with a short showcase, allowing participants to share their progress with family and friends. We will follow the York School Department Calendar.

INSTRUCTOR:    Karen Wharton
REGISTRATION: Open
SESSIONS:        Winter Session: January 9th-February 13th
                           Spring Session: March 6th-April 10th
COST:                 $125.00
LOCATION:        The Strong Girls United Hub - 13 Church St., York, Maine
DAY:                    Fridays
TIME:                  3:00pm-4:00pm

Sign up HERE

Gymnastics - Grades 1-4

Join our Gymnastics & Yoga class! This dynamic program combines the mindfulness and flexibility of yoga with the strength and agility of gymnastics. Participants will learn fundamental gymnastics skills like balance and coordination, along with yoga poses that promote self-awareness and relaxation. The class includes fun games and challenges in a safe environment, making it perfect for all abilities. Encourage your child to embrace their physical potential, make new friends, and cultivate a healthy lifestyle! Each session will conclude with a short showcase, allowing participants to share their progress with family and friends. We will follow the York School Department Calendar.

INSTRUCTOR:    Karen Wharton
REGISTRATION: Open
SESSIONS:        Winter Session: January 9th-February 13th
                        Spring Session: March 6th-April 10th
COST:               $125.00
LOCATION:        The Strong Girls United Hub, 13 Church St., York, Maine
DAY:                  Fridays
TIME:                4:00pm-5:00pm

ALL FULL! Call our office to be added to the waitlist