Alamance County rolls out 'sports sampling' model to revive youth athletics

Alamance County Parks & Recreation told commissioners on Tuesday that it will shift several traditional youth programs — including basketball, baseball and softball — to a new "sports sampling" model designed to increase participation and reduce travel for families.

Department leaders said the county will continue five established tackle‑football organizations but will treat each county recreation facility as a community hub where shorter, varied sessions are offered so families can sign up for programs that fit their schedules. "Sports sampling" offers multiple short sessions (intro classes, volleyball, disc golf, flag football and other options) rather than committing children to four‑month seasons, department staff said.

The change responds to long‑term participation declines, staff said, and to a gender gap in the county system. Jamie (Parks & Recreation) and Gil Johnson, the county athletic director, told the board that girls are the most underserved cohort in existing programs; staff reported 185 girls participated in county programs in 2023 and said early fall sign-ups for the new offerings have already produced more than 100 registrations, which the department described as a 15% overall increase and a 30% rise in girls' participation in the pilot. Department staff said 80% of the newly enrolled girls had not previously taken part in county athletics.

"We believe sports are competitive," Johnson said, noting that games will be officiated and will have winners and losers. "The competition is at the game and not so much focus outside of the court or outside of the field." The department also plans written program plans and week‑by‑week curricula so coaches and instructors deliver consistent instruction across locations.

Residents and commissioners raised concerns during a lengthy question‑and‑answer period. Roxanne May of Burlington told the board she feared the county was moving away from competitive structures that teach work ethic and leadership. Several commissioners asked how the model would accommodate existing club and travel teams and whether there would be a backup plan if sign‑ups for traditional teams fell. Staff answered that football will remain a team‑entry club sport and that the sampling model is intended to coexist with clubs where demand supports them; staff said baseball, softball and basketball are the programs most affected by falling registrations.

Officials also addressed coach recruitment and vetting. Johnson and other staff said they expect to supplement volunteers with part‑time and contract instructors, train coaches using standardized program materials, and perform background checks. "If we get in a situation where we don't have a coach, parents can volunteer," Johnson said; the department plans to recruit high‑school coaches and vetted instructors from local schools and clubs.

Sign‑up status and next steps: basketball registration is already open under the new model; staff projected sign‑ups for baseball and softball to begin in late January or early February. Commissioners encouraged the public to register children if they want the county to support traditional teams in future budget cycles. The department asked the board to monitor the rollout and said it will return with updates as the program expands.

The commission did not take an immediate formal vote on staffing or new appropriation for the program during the meeting; commissioners said they would consider resource requests if community sign‑ups grow.