Worcester committee asks athletics to study feasibility of more middle‑school teams after survey shows strong interest

The school committee's standing subcommittee discussed expanding middle‑school athletics on March 30 after the athletic department reported results of a 2025 survey and current program capacity.

An athletics representative told members that roughly 1,370 students in grades 5–7 responded to the recent survey asking which additional sports they would play. The department said available gymnasiums, field space, busing, equipment costs, coaching stipends and officials are key constraints to immediate expansion; sports such as cross‑country were identified as low‑barrier additions, while golf and wrestling were excluded at this time.

Phil Gia Russo, the district's middle‑school coordinator (introduced by the athletics representative), described the district intramural program, saying it has reached about 7,500 children and that current organized middle‑school sports involve roughly 570 participants. He said intramurals and clinics (for example, baseball and lacrosse clinics) are being used to gauge interest before formal team adoption.

Several committee members urged adding B or C teams or separate seventh‑ and eighth‑grade teams where participation is high so more students can play. One member said, "That would definitely be an opportunity for more kids to get involved." The athletics representative said the district can explore adding additional teams at schools that show sufficient demand and noted a grant that will expand outdoor soccer teams.

Chair Jefferson Johnson moved to commission a feasibility study on expanding middle‑school teams and schedules and to return with a report in the fall; the committee voted to hold the item pending that feasibility work.

The athletics staff will return with feasibility findings and participation estimates; any expansion will depend on funding for busing, staffing stipends and equipment.