The Oglethorpe County Recreation Department concluded a busy fall sports season and is transitioning to winter programming as registration begins for spring sports.
White said approximately 600 children participated in fall sports, a total consistent with recent years. Fall offerings included football, cheerleading, girls' volleyball, soccer and tennis.
“It was busy,” White said. “It’s a real busy time, but it was good.”
Soccer continued to lead fall participation, with roughly 250 players, while football drew about 150 participants. White said soccer has been the county’s largest fall program for several years.
Oglethorpe County fielded five football teams competing in the North Georgia Youth Football League, with four advancing to the playoffs. Cheerleading teams competed during the season, while girls volleyball and soccer all-star teams advanced through district and state tournament play.
One youth soccer team, the 10-and-under group, won a district championship, marking the first district title for an Oglethorpe County Parks and Recreation soccer team.
“That was the first time the park’s ever won district in soccer,” White said. “That age group is just very talented here. I wasn’t surprised, but it was good to see.”
Winter sports are underway, with basketball, wrestling and flag football making up the department’s seasonal options.
Basketball remains one of the largest programs, with more than 200 children registered this winter. White said participation is slightly higher than last year, though team numbers vary by age group.
Basketball games began in mid-December and resumed after the break. Due to the number of teams, games are played on multiple nights each week.
White said participation increased significantly after the park’s gym was built in 2021, and has remained strong since.
“Basketball has been a big sport here for years,” White said.
Wrestling is limited by space, with about 35 children enrolled this season. Flag football, introduced last winter, has grown in its second year and is played on Sundays due to field availability.
White said overall youth participation in recreation programs has increased substantially during his eight years as director, with some sports tripling in size.
He attributed the growth to both increasing county population and consistent programming. White said Oglethorpe County appears to draw a higher percentage of school-aged children into recreation programs than some surrounding counties.
“The county’s growing, whether people want it to or not,” White said. “There’s more people here, and the schools have more kids in them.”
As winter sports continue, the department is also preparing for spring programs, which include Little League baseball and softball, soccer, girls volleyball, tennis and track and field.
Spring tennis programs for players ages 5–12 will begin March 12, and additional junior and adult tennis sessions will begin May 7. Rackets will be available for participants who need them.
Registration for Little League baseball and softball closes Feb. 1, while registration for soccer, volleyball and track and field closes Feb. 12.
White noted the seasonal transition is constant for the department.
“Basketball is over, baseball starts,” he said. “It never stops here.”