BPRD spring youth sports registration deadlines coming up

Local youth are invited to participate in the Bend Park and Recreation District’s Spring Youth Sports Leagues and deadlines are coming up in March.

The deadline to register for the Youth Lacrosse League is Monday, March 5, and the deadline to register for Girls Softball League is Sunday, March 11.

Registration is available at www.bendparksandrec.org or at district facilities. Financial assistance is available for registration and equipment needs.

The Youth Lacrosse League is open to boys and girls in first grade through eighth grade and runs from April 2 to June 1. The league promotes physical fitness and teaches participants sportsmanship lessons about teamwork and fair play as well as basic lacrosse fundamentals and game play. Teams practice twice a week and play an eight-game schedule.

For Youth Lacrosse, helmets, sticks, mouth guards and game jerseys are provided. Participants in the coed and boys’ league need to provide their own gloves, shoulder pads and elbow pads.

The Girls Softball League is for ages 6 to 14 and runs from April 9 to June 7. Teams practice twice a week and play most games during the week. Participants are provided with uniform top, shorts and socks. Players need to provide their own glove.

The lacrosse and girls softball leagues also offer opportunities for adults as volunteer coaches. Coaches provide support with program logistics, coaching and mentoring youth.

All volunteer coaches must complete an application, background check, take a concussion training course, enjoy working with youth and be able to create a positive, encouraging recreational environment for all players.