Category Archives: Sports

Snow? What snow?

Think Spring! Think Softball!

Registration is now open for Newton Girls Softball, the recreational league for Newton girls (residents or girls who attend Newton Schools) in grades K-7.  Register soon for guaranteed placement and pair-me-with requests. For more information and to register, please visit www.newtongirlssoftball.org.

The league welcomes players of all skill levels and will provide your daughter with an experience that fosters positive self-esteem, team spirit, and individual growth through personal achievement and as a team member.

2021 Registration Dates:
January 31st: Deadline to register without paying a late fee.
February 28th: Deadline to register with guaranteed placement and pair-me-with rights. A $15 late fee will be applied.

While NGS is fully preparing for a spring season, they will of course be monitoring the latest pandemic-related guidance from the state of Massachusetts. They can, however, definitively say that they were able to follow the rules and run very successful summer and fall softball programs in Newton and around the state and expect softball to resume, with slight modifications, come spring.

Newton Youth Hockey Intramural Programs

Registration is now open for two new programs. Additionally, there is still space in the Learn to Play program.

Girls Learn to Play Hockey is a new program for girls of ALL ages who are interested in playing hockey. No previous experience is required. The 4-week program kicks off on  January 9th at 5:00 pm. Cost is $150. Register HERE

U8 Skating Skills and Development is a new program to strengthen skating skills and build on previous instruction, regardless of skill level. Participants must have at minimum, one year of skating or Learn to Play Hockey experience. There will be two 6-week sessions that take place in December-January and January-March. Registration for Session 1 is open now. Registration for Session 2 will open late December. Cost for each session is $230. Register HERE

Please email any questions to intramuralvp@newtonyouthhockey.com.

*COVID Information: In the event of rink shut-downs, you will receive a prorated refund.

Members of Closed Gyms Invited to Join

The West Suburban YMCA offers incentive for new members seeking fitness and well-being. The closing of several local gyms in Newton and surrounding towns have left many gym-goers without a place to workout. The West Suburban YMCA​ welcomes members of fitness centers that are closed or going out of business.

“To the many members of local gyms that have unexpectedly closed, the Y is here and ready to welcome you,” says Jack Fucci, President and CEO of the West Suburban YMCA. “We’ve put into place excellent systems and protocols and feel confident that gym-life and pandemic-life are not mutually exclusive.”

The West Suburban YMCA, which has been open and operating since July, is offering an extra incentive for new members​​ who join before the end of the year. Anyone age 18 or older who joins the West Suburban YMCA by December 31, 2020 will receive a personalized training program that includes:

A 6-week written training plan based on individual fitness level
Three 30-minute sessions with a certified personal trainer
Weekly check-in email plus healthy recipes
A $450 value free with cost of a membership

In addition to the spacious fitness floor at the West Suburban YMCA, the facility also boasts two indoor swimming pools, an outdoor track and turf field, full-size gymnasium with upper level indoor track, squash/racquetball court, and four dedicated group exercise studios. Fitness classes and personal training are offered indoors, outdoors, and virtually.

During its shutdown, the West Suburban YMCA took steps to ensure a smooth and safe reopening. They invested more than $100,000 in state-of-the-art equipment to mitigate the risk of coronavirus transmission. In addition to the required PPE, the Y added plexiglass shields, installed additional hand washing and sanitizing stations, redesigned spaces to allow for social distancing, revamped its ventilation and air filtration system, purchased electrostatic sprayers for disinfecting, and requires reservations for pool lanes and group exercise classes to reduce congestion.

Those who wish to join the Y or learn more can visit www.wsymca.org/membership​.

The West Suburban YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization that has been a fixture in the Newton community for over 140 years. The Y is committed to strengthening the foundations of the community by supporting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all.

ALL are welcome at the Y, and its community brings together people of all abilities, ages, ethnicities, financial circumstances, genders, races, religions, and sexual orientations.

What’s Happening at the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton invites children to register for afternoon and evening Winter Programs taking place in December and January. Featuring small groups and following all covid-19 protocols, the Club is offering programs for elementary, middle school, and high school children, in the areas of Basketball, STEM, Arts, and Leadership.

To open new possibilities for your child to have fun, stay active, and make new friends, claim your free membership to the Boys & Girls Club and register for programs today at https://www.newtonbgc.com/seasonal-schedules

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Virtual Ugly Sweater 5K
Wear an ugly sweater and run or walk a 5k between November 29th and December 6th. Participants can do the race on their own time and on a route of their choosing. All proceeds go to the Annual Fund, which supports the Y’s commitment to keep the facility open to all, regardless of ability to pay. This event is an opportunity to support the Y in a social distant way, exercise, and receive prizes. Registration fees are $10 for youth, $15 for adults, or $40 for a family. Register online: https://donate.wsymca.org/UglySweater5k

Fall Program Mini Sessions
Late Fall Program Session Starts November 16th
The Y is helping families have an active, engaging, and safe fall! The Y’s Late Fall Session runs from November 16th to December 19th (no classes the week of Thanksgiving). Register now for swimming, sports, music, and fitness programs!

Create A Class
The Y is also offering the opportunity to “create a class,” by putting together a custom group such as a school cohort, a family bubble, or any group of your choosing. Most Y programs – such as basketball classes, swim lessons, fitness training groups, and more – can be created for your specific group. Staff will work with you to set up a day and time for your participant group and the program of your choosing.

Out of School Time Community Connections
Remote Learning Support and Enrichment for Grades K-8. This fall the Y’s Out of School Time (OST) program is offering a full day program from 7:45 am – 5:00 pm to support distance learning and complement the Newton Public Schools schedule. Families have the option to enroll their child for 5 days, 3 days, or 2 days per week. The EEC-certified Out of School Time program provides academic support, structured routine, and opportunities for physical activities and enrichment activities. Learn more at www.wsymca.org/OST.

YBA Returns to the Y
YMCA’s YBA league is returning this November. The youth basketball league will run from November 14th to February 7th. YBA offers children a safe and positive environment, an opportunity to work as a team, and enjoy physical activity. YBA programming will follow all youth sports health and safety guidelines as determined by the state of Massachusetts. For more information contact Chris Ellison at chrise@wsymca.org or 617-244-6050 ext. 3806.

Personal Training – Outdoors, Indoors, or Virtual Training
Personal training is available for members either outside, in a private studio, or virtually. For more information or to set up a training session, please email Jenni at jennip@wsymca.org or call 617-244-6050 ext. 3034. Continue reading →

Boston Athletic Training offers one day basketball clinic

Join the upcoming 1 day basketball clinic at one of two small group training sessions for athletes ages 8-18. There will be two dedicated basketball trainers for these 90 minute sessions who will lead drills on everything from footwork and layups to shooting and ball handling.

Participants will maintain strict covid-19 guidelines including all athletes in masks, social distancing and keeping 2 exterior doors open throughout the clinics for better airflow!

Click here to reserve your spot for the 1 day clinic! Email info@bostonathletictraining.com with any questions or for help signing up.

November 21st, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Ages 8-13, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm – HS Athletes
Hyde Center, Newton Highlands

Note for December:

BAT is also offering 8 week winter basketball clinics as well as speed and strength training programs for all age groups! Click here to learn more!

Newton Turkey Trot

Ever wondered where to get that T-shirt you see running around Newton?  Get yours for free when you register by November 2nd for the 7th annual, and hopefully only virtual, Newton Turkey Trot – We Will Trot On Together, Apart!

Newton Turkey Trot 5K November 21-29, 2020 – T-Shirt deadline is November 2nd

There will not be a traditional race day, runners will run their own virtual race in their own time the week of November 21st – 29th.  All of the race proceeds will go to the Newton Food Pantry and the Travis Roy Foundation’s Ethan Wang Fund.  Both of these amazing organizations need our support more than ever.

Register or donate at www.newtonturkeytrot.org. Get your turkeys in a row and trot on!

Youth Basketball Returning to the Y

The West Suburban YMCA’s YBA league is returning this November.  YBA offers children a safe and positive environment, an opportunity to work as a team, and enjoy physical activity.   The program utilizes the Y’s seven principles: everyone plays, safety first, fair play, positive competition, family involvement, sports for all, and sports for fun.

YBA will be running this fall and winter with various age groupings: Mini (ages 4-5), Biddy (ages 6-7), Rookie (ages 8-9), and Collegiate (ages 10-12.)  The session will last 10 weeks.  The first 5 weeks will consist of practice weeks and YBA will begin playing games when state guidelines are updated to allow games.

YBA will be taking all COVID precautions, including transition buffers in between sessions, teams of 10 players, only one parent/guardian allowed to spectate while remaining physically distanced in the indoor track, and a mask requirement.

Register by November 1st.  For more information contact Chris Ellison at chrise@wsymca.org or 617-244-6050 ext. 3806.

The program will run from  November 14th – February 7th.

Newton Youth Hockey – Co-ed Middle School Hockey

Newton Youth Hockey has opened registration for its Co-ed Middle School Hockey program. These are games-only teams open to any Newton resident in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Participants do not need to attend a Newton school, nor do they need to be current Newton Youth Hockey players.

Games are played on weekend evenings, and the season runs from December to February. For more information, please see www.newtonyouthhockey.com or email president@newtonyouthhockey.com.

Newton Youth Hockey – Learn to Play Program

The Learn to Play program is an introduction to hockey for boys and girls aged 5 through 10. Participants follow a progression of drills designed to teach them the core hockey skills of skating, stick handling, passing, and shooting. NYH places a strong emphasis on having fun, using a variety of games, challenges, and scrimmages as key components of the program. Participants skate twice per week on Saturday and Sunday. One day is structured around skills progression while the other day is dedicated to scrimmages. This is a 16-week program that begins in mid-November and ends in mid-March.

Saturdays, Ryan Arena, Watertown: Grades K-2, 9:20 – 10:10 am and Grades 3+, 10:20 – 11:10 am
Sundays, Daly Rink, Newton: 8:00 am

For more information and registration please click here https://www.leagueathletics.com/Page.asp?n=11670&org=newtonyouthhockey.com