The 2015-2016 OKC PAL Youth League is now in the record books. By the end of the year, the league had doubled in size, with 500 young soccer players competing each Saturday at the Wendel Whisenhunt Sports Complex in south Oklahoma City. In its inaugural year, the league experienced rapid growth and extensive community engagement. Launched last fall with flag football and volleyball, games were played at Jefferson Middle School on fields that were beautifully renovated by Fields and Futures. In winter, the league transitioned into basketball season, with volleyball and basketball games played at Jefferson and Webster Middle School gyms. By springtime, students had become very familiar with the league and soccer registration numbers grew quickly. As the school year ended, 23 different Oklahoma City Public Schools participated in the league. The soccer league had 27 teams from 19 different schools. It was encouraging to see how family, friends and school staff supported these student-athletes.
As capacity and infrastructure continues to grow, more and more schools will be added to the league roster. Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation managed the site on game days, providing referees and other staff, concessions and restroom facilities. The OKC PAL Youth League wouldn’t be possible without the support from so many partners. Thank you to the following organizations: Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation, Fields and Futures, the Police Athletic League, Cleats for Kids, Play It Again Sports and Oklahoma City Public Schools. The OKC PAL Youth League will be back in the fall of 2016. See you then!