Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Sports Vertical Alignment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks staff and schools launch vertical‑alignment sports pilot; new East Basketball Club and expanded youth programs announced
Summary
Commission staff described a one‑year pilot contracting school district staff time to build coach handbooks, sport‑specific materials and new youth opportunities including a tryout‑based East Basketball Club (grades 3–6), cheer signups and expanded softball offerings.
East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation staff briefed the commission on Sept. 22 about a new vertical‑alignment pilot that pairs city recreation programming with school district athletics to standardize coaching expectations and create additional youth opportunities.
The city contracted with the school district to secure some of Josh Shattuck’s time for the pilot after an open hiring process for a sports supervisor did not result in a hire. The pilot focuses on deliverables such as a general coach’s handbook, sport‑specific guides and increased connection between varsity coaches and youth programs.
"He's made contact with every varsity coach," Derek said, describing the handbook work and the aim of producing sport‑specific manuals for parents, coaches and players. The pilot began in August and staff intend to evaluate it at the end of the first year.
As part of the initiative the city is launching an "East Basketball Club," a tryout‑based program for third through sixth graders intended to provide a more competitive, skills‑focused option in addition to the existing recreation program. Derek said the club will practice and play some games at larger gym facilities offsite and that families may participate in both rec and club programs.
"We have approximately 120 girls that ended up signing up for the cheer," Derek said, reporting strong early participation in newly offered sideline cheer. Staff also said softball is expanding from a single combined team to at least two teams in the spring, with the possibility of separate sixth, seventh and eighth‑grade teams depending on interest.
A varsity coach who is participating in the pilot praised the progress and said coaches have been given manageable, phased assignments and that Mr. Shattuck has been responsive to feedback.
The commission discussed possible constraints from Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSA) rules at the middle‑school level and asked whether program models could preserve eligibility; staff said interim options exist, such as post‑season courthouse teams, and that year‑two of the pilot could expand sport coverage if both the city and the district agree.
The pilot is a one‑year agreement with specific deliverables; staff said year‑two decisions will depend on progress and city/district discussions.
