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Athletic director outlines participation trends, youth clinics and live streaming
Summary
Athletic Director Ryan Sylvia told the committee the district fields 57 teams across 20 sports, is using cooperative teams and middle‑level waivers to maintain participation, and is piloting free youth clinics and digital ticketing/streaming to boost engagement.
Athletic Director Ryan Sylvia briefed the committee on Jan. 23 about athletics operations and initiatives intended to increase participation and access for younger athletes.
Sylvia said Middleborough currently supports 57 teams across 20 sports and is using cooperative arrangements with neighboring towns for sports such as boys hockey, swimming and wrestling when individual schools lack sufficient numbers. He described middle‑level waivers that allow eighth graders to play up to help field junior varsity and varsity rosters in low‑participation sports.
Sylvia highlighted free youth clinics (wrestling and swim clinics capped at about 50 participants) run by high‑school coaches and varsity volunteers as recruitment tools and safety supports. He also described recent technology upgrades: digital ticketing through GoFan and live streaming via Huddle that allow families remote access to games and give student athletes access to game film for recruiting and improvement.
Committee members raised the challenges of declining enrollment in some sports and noted safety concerns in swimming where technical skills may be lacking. Sylvia said partner‑league conversations and targeted clinics are part of the district’s response.
The update did not include a committee vote; administrators said scheduling and registration deadlines for spring sports will be communicated in the coming weeks.
