Sports & Leagues — Youth Leagues
Youth Soccer League (Spring & Fall)
Team up with the Northbrook Park District to play soccer, considered the most popular sport in the world.
In the soccer program, the emphasis is on the development of the child as an individual and an athlete, rather than the competitive aspect of winning. The goals are to provide a fun and safe atmosphere where children can learn respect, sportsmanship and soccer skills. All players receive equal playing time and are introduced to all positions. To find out more information on the youth soccer league click here.
Team Formation
Teams are organized by grade: Kindergarten (co-ed), 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3/4th grade, 5/6th grade and 7/8th grade and leagues are conducted for boys and girls separately when possible. Team roster maximums are 12 players per team for Kindergarten through 2nd grade and 14 players per team for grades 3-8. If there are not enough kids from a school to field a full team, schools will be combined. Supervisors will first attempt to combine schools in the same school district. If there is an abundance of participants registered from the same school, multiple teams will be formed at random to accommodate all those who registered by the published team formation date in the program guide.
Rosters and Schedules
Coaches will contact players 1-2 weeks prior to the first scheduled game. Game schedules will be mailed to all registered participants.
Equipment
The Park District provides uniforms (jersey, shorts and socks) that should be worn to all games unless temperatures warrant sweat pants. Each player is responsible for the following: all-purpose athletic shoes with rubber cleats, shin guards and a ball (size # 3 for kindergarten-grade 2, #4 for grades 3-6 and #5 for grades 7-8).
Practices start one week before games; coaches will announce days, times and locations. Games played on Saturdays for Kindergarten through 2nd grade and Sunday afternoons for 3rd-8th grade begin (seven games, weather permitting).
- Kindergarten plays 6v6 on Saturday morning. Field size is 20 x 35 yards.
- Grades 1 and 2 play 6v6 on Saturday afternoons. Field size is 30 x 50 yards.
- Grades 3 and 4 play 7 v 7 on Sunday afternoons. Field size is 40 x 60 yards
- Grades 5-8 play 7 v 7 on Sunday afternoons. Field size is 40 x 60 yards.
- For youth soccer league schedules, click here.
Indoor Soccer League – Grades 1 & 2 (Fall and Winter)
Team up with the Northbrook Park District to play soccer – indoors! Teams are formed by grade and school; children should register according to the school they attend. Age levels or schools may be combined to form teams if necessary.
The emphasis is on the development of the child as an individual and an athlete, rather than the competitive aspect of winning. The program strives to provide a fun and safe atmosphere in which children can learn respect, sportsmanship and soccer skills. All players receive equal playing time and an introduction to the fast-paced game of indoor soccer.
Team Formation
To provide children with a positive athletic experience, leagues are conducted separately for boys and girls, when possible. Friendship requests are available at nbparks.org and at registration locations.
Rosters and Schedules
Coaches will contact players 1-2 weeks prior to the first scheduled game. Team assignment and game schedules will be mailed to all participants registered.
Equipment
The Park District provides and T-shirts are provided and should be worn to all games. Each player is responsible for clean gym shoes, shorts, socks and shin guards.
Practices/Games
League format is games only, beginning in November for the autumn league and January for the winter. Game times are between noon and 4pm. Teams play six games, all at Greenbriar School.
Youth Flag Football (Fall)
This popular Saturday program introduces children to recreational football with an emphasis on safety, setting the stage for practices and games.
Team Formation
Teams are organized by grade – 3rd, 4th, 5th/6th and 7th/8th. Coaching requests are not allowed. Age levels or schools may be combined to form teams, if necessary.
Equipment
All players receive a team jersey. The Park District provides all other necessary equipment. Each player is responsible for all-purpose athletic shoes with rubber cleats.
Practices/Games
Each team has one practice per week (scheduled by the coach) and one or two games on Saturday’s at Wescott Park. Games use age-specific rules. Teams play seven games, weather permitting.
To find out more information on the youth flag football league click here. For flag football league schedules, click here.
Little Jammers Youth Basketball League
Dribble, aim and shoot! Check out our new mini-basketball league for children in kindergarten and first grade. They will learn basketball basics with smaller balls and lower hoop heights, playing seven games between January and March.
The youth basketball program serves girls and boys with a focus on athletes first, winning second. Our objective is to provide enjoyable experiences for children while developing their basketball skills in an atmosphere that promotes teamwork and sportsmanship.
Team Formation
Kindergarten teams will be co-ed, and first grade teams will be conducted separately for boys and girls. Teams consist of 7-10 players. Friendship requests are available here and at customer service locations. Requests must be reciprocal and submitted by December 9. Age levels or schools may be combined to form teams if necessary. Schedules and information will be mailed the week of December 31.
Rosters and Schedules
Coaches will contact players 1-2 weeks prior to the first scheduled game. Team assignment and game schedules will be mailed to all participants registered.
Equipment
Players receive a team jersey, and the Park District provides all necessary equipment.
Practices/Games
Children practice on Saturdays during the first 30 minutes of their scheduled game time.
Youth Basketball League (Fall, Winter)
The youth basketball program serves girls and boys in grades 2-8. The philosophy is athletes first, winning second. Our objective is to provide enjoyable experiences for children, while developing their basketball skills in an atmosphere that promotes teamwork and sportsmanship.
Team Formation
For grades 2-5, teams are formed by school. For grades 6-8, teams are formed after player evaluations. Teams consist of a minimum of seven players and a maximum of 10 players. Age levels or schools may be combined to form teams, if necessary. Leagues are conducted for boys and girls separately, when possible. In the interest of fairness, players can’t switch teams after they are announced and coaching requests are not accepted.
Equipment and Uniforms
All players receive a team jersey. The Park District provides all other necessary equipment.
- Second graders practice on Saturdays, for the first thirty minutes of their scheduled game time.
- Grades 3 through 8 practice one day during the week (scheduled by the coach) and play a weekend game.
- Practices and games are at local schools with an official provided for all games.
- The fall league runs November through December.
- The winter league runs January through March.
- Starting and ending dates for both leagues depend on gym availability.
Youth Basketball League Schedule
Announcing New Coaching Program
The Northbrook Park District has joined with the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) to elevate the level of volunteer coaching in our youth athletic leagues. NAYS will provide improved training and will hold coaches accountable to a strict Code of Conduct. The Park District will give each coach the opportunity to complete free online training and certification in the National Youth Sports Coaching Alliance (NYSCA) program.
What is NAYS?
NAYS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes fun, positive and safe sports for children and is the governing body for the National Youth Sports Coaching Alliance. The Alliance has trained more than 2.5 million volunteer coaches worldwide and is associated with more than 3,000 community-based agencies.
What does NAYS provide?
- Positive instruction and building of basic motor skills
- Sport-specific training for administrators, coaches and officials
- Coach certification with accountability
- National Standards For Youth Sports
- Nine Supporting Principles
- Quality Sports Environment
- Sports participation should be fun and a portion of a child’s life
- Training and Accountability
- Screening Process
- Parents’ Commitment
- Sportsmanship
- Safe Playing Environment
- Equal Play Opportunity
- Drug, Tobacco, Alcohol and Performance Enhancer Free-Environment
Mission
The NYSCA volunteer coach training program is designed to sensitize volunteer coaches to their responsibilities and hold them accountable to a strict Code of Conduct defined by the NYSCA Coaches’ Code of Ethics Pledge.
Credit for Coaches
At the end of each season, volunteer coaches of athletes in the sport will receive a $75 credit on their Northbrook Park District account if they have done the following:
- Completed NAYS coaching certification by third week of season
- Attended over 75% of games and practices
- Returned equipment bag
No more than two coaches per team can receive the credit, and adults who are removed from coaching duties are not eligible. If you prefer to give the credit to another coach, notify the Park District before the last game of the season.
Coaches Needed
Volunteer coaches play an active role in developing young athletes and are needed for all Park District leagues. No experience is necessary. If you want to volunteer, call 847·291·2980 or fill out a coaching application.
Friendship Requests
To provide children with a positive athletic experience we have implemented a Friendship Request process. Both participants must fill out and turn in a Friendship Request form, attend the same grade at the same school. Friendship requests must be reciprocal and returned to the Village Green by the date on the form for each sport. To access the Friendship Request form, please click here.
Friendship Requests will not be honored for the following youth athletic leagues; Girls Lacrosse, Boys Lacrosse and Volleyball.
Girl’s Lacrosse Leagues (Spring, Fall)
Join a lacrosse league just for girls from the north suburbs, operated by the Illinois Girls Lacrosse Association.
In addition to providing instruction, the league promotes active teamwork, sportsmanship and personal development in a respectful environment. All girls receive equal playing time and play all positions. Games are on Sunday afternoons at Techny Prairie Park and Fields or neighboring communities. Pink level teams practice once a week for 1.5 hours. Purple level teams practice twice a week for 1.5 hours. Practice is held at Techny Prairie Park and Fields or West Fork Park in Glenview.
After registering, log on to www.iglax.org for T-shirt sizing, team information, game schedules and field locations. Each player must have goggles, a stick and a mouth guard. Players should bring their equipment to all practices and games.
Player Groups are divided into five groups:
Pink Grade 3-4
Pink Grade 5-6
Pink Grade 7-8
Purple Grade 5-6
Purple Grade 7-8
Boys Lacrosse League (Spring, Fall)
Learn lacrosse from the area’s most experienced coaches. The Northbrook Park District has joined with TeamOne to offer a lacrosse program for boys. Teams will be determined after player evaluations and will participate in the North Shore Lacrosse League, with games in Northbrook and other communities. All players must have the following equipment at practices and games: Stick, helmet, shoulder pads, arm guards, gloves, athletic cup, mouth guard and water bottle. Jerseys are included with the registration fee and handed out at practice.
Game schedules and information will be posted on the TeamOne Lacrosse website, t1lax.com.
The league will be divided into four levels that will have A and B teams if needed.
Grade 2 & 3: Bantams
Grade 4 & 5: Lightning
Grade 6 & 7: Juniors
Grade 8: Seniors
