Top Fall Sports Leagues For Kids In Philly

Come September, along with ringing school bells, kid-friendly sports leagues in the Philadelphia area will be rolling out their fall season offerings for kids of all ages. Football, flag football, soccer and even cheerleading await, each with benefits aplenty. Along with a healthy dose of exercise comes a sense of community and the development of athletic skills, sportsmanship and self-confidence in Philly sports leagues any parent can appreciate.

Price: $20 3.5 to 5 years/$40 5 to 8 years/$95 9 to 18 years (includes league fees and uniforms)

Now in its 35th year, the Academy Sabres serves Northeast Philadelphia, offering a year-round sports program for kids of all ages in basketball, baseball, softball and soccer. "No tryouts are necessary," explains President Ed Magee called the program laid back, though still competitive. No need for tryouts here, this place trains teams that win championships while still accommodating everyone, he said. Plus, sign up for soccer now and get half-off for winter basketball at Decatur Elementary's gym.

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Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Bustleton Bengals boasts a full range of sports for boys and girls throughout the year, each one emphasizing good sportsmanship, skills, teamwork and fun, too. Coach and gym director Vince Tarducci said tryouts help put young athletes in the correct groups, even travel groups if they're really good. In the fall, along with soccer, there's football and cheerleading, all carried out at Hayes Memorial Playground, so named in honor of slain police officer Robert Hayes.

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Price: $80 for junior members/$90 for senior members/$25 annual family membership fee

This non-profit organization, made up entirely of volunteers, is celebrating its 50th year and boasts more than 1,000 participating families. President Dennis Primavera said it offers sports for kids ages 5 to 18, but soccer dominates in the fall. Roughly 600 kids fill the intramural program with about 250 competing in traveling teams, he said. The season runs from the weekend after Labor Day through mid-November, even Thanksgiving, depending on the weather.

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Novice or experienced, boys and girls ages 5 through 16 are all welcome to join the Fairmount Soccer Association. Small-sided soccer, the hallmark of the program, features small teams on small fields, allowing for more game playing, ball touches, learning, decision-making and involvement. In this way, good sportsmanship is developed, along with self-confidence and enjoyment. Kids here improve as they play, acquiring a love of the sport in a no-pressure environment.

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Enjoying its 45th season, Lower Merion Soccer Club welcomes kids ages 4 through 14, whether or not they reside in Lower Merion. Sept. 8 is the start-up date, with games continuing through Nov. 11, or thereabouts. It offers three divisions for the youngest players in which fun is the focus as they learn skill development. LMSC also offers six middle divisions, along with four for older participants and one for students with special needs. Now in its 10th year, this program enables children with physical, mental or emotional limitations to get involved.

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