Pasadena Youth Sports Programs Serve Nearly 5,000 Children Annually

Pasadena’s Youth Sports Programs served 4,808 participants across all seasons in 2024, with soccer programs drawing in the most children (3,038), according to a report to be presented at the Recreation and Parks Commission meeting this week.

Recreation Coordinators John Chacon and Jorge Carcamo from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department delivered the comprehensive overview, highlighting the department’s year-round offerings spanning multiple sports and age groups from toddlers to eighth-graders.

Soccer emerged as the department’s most popular sport with over 3,000 participants across various programs. The department offers four main soccer programs: Winter 5v5 Futsal/Indoor Soccer (328 participants), Spring Villa Parke Youth Soccer League, Spring Young Strikers Soccer Academy (new), and Fall 7v7 Fall League. Soccer leagues are coached by volunteer coaches, with over 100 coaches participating in 2024.

The spring soccer league alone drew 1,910 participants divided among seven divisions, from “Mascots” for the youngest players to the 1st Division for the most advanced. Fall soccer attracted 778 participants across multiple age groups.

The new Young Strikers Soccer Academy is a non-competitive 3-vs-3 soccer program for ages 2-6, featuring weekly practices, 30-minute games, no score keeping, and no official referees. Coaches will be allowed on the field during games. The program will launch with two sessions in 2025: March 1-April 19 and May 10-June 28, with divisions for Mini Stars (Ages 2-4) and Shooting Stars (Ages 4-6).

The Winter Futsal/Indoor Soccer program included 328 participants across five divisions, with age ranges from 6-8 years (6th Division) to 14-16 years (2nd Division).

Basketball programs, which run during winter (December-March), spring (March-May), and summer (May-August), attracted 1,109 participants total. The regular basketball league for 2nd through 8th graders operates on a 12-week schedule each season, with 30 teams participating in both winter and spring seasons, and 25 teams during summer. Resident participation in basketball has been strong, with 70% residents in winter, 76% in spring, and reaching 84% in summer.

The “Mighty Mites” basketball program, designed for younger children ages 5-8, maintained consistent participation with 91 children during winter and spring sessions, and 96 during summer. These programs are held at McKinley (Ages 5-6), Robinson (Ages 7-8), and Victory (Ages 7-8) community centers.

The department’s volleyball program saw 475 participants across fall and spring seasons, with 24 teams in fall (274 participants) and 19 in spring (201 participants). The presentation highlighted tournament success, with Pasadena teams winning both the 2024 San Gabriel Valley Tournament and 2024 Southern California Federation tournament. The teams went undefeated in both tournaments while competing against teams from Arcadia, Azusa, Burbank, Carson, Duarte, Lomita, Pomona, Rialto, San Gabriel, and Temple City.

Flag football, which runs in the fall, rounded out the offerings with 186 participants (80% residents) in the regular program for 2nd-8th graders and 24 children in the Mighty Mites division for ages 7-8.

Commission members noted the significant price difference between resident and non-resident participation, with residents paying just $10 while non-residents are charged $95 across all programs. This policy appears effective in prioritizing local participation.

The presentation included a success story highlighting Abraham Romero, who spent several years playing in the VPYSL league before going on to play professionally with clubs including Pachuca F.C. (2017-2019), LA Galaxy (2019-2020), LAFC (2023-2024), and currently Columbus Crew. Romero has also represented both the United States (U-15 in 2012) and Mexico (U17 in 2015) in international youth competitions.

Residents interested in youth sports programs can contact the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department for registration information and upcoming seasons. For more click here.