Weiser youth sports receives a large donation of equipment

Feb. 17 was a busy day at the Weiser Recreation Department as a large donation of new sports equipment from the Idaho Youth Sports Commission came pouring in, delivered by the organization’s executive director Tim Brady.
 Brady donated new athletic equipment and gear sourced from Idaho Sporting Goods in Boise to both Weiser Recreation Department and the Payette County Recreation District.
 With a two-part mission to provide education and training to coaches, parents and athletes to develop positive character building sports experience for youth as well as to help the underprivilege with league season equipment, the organization chose to donate items to rural community recreation departments to help support youth sports programs that may not have access to the same resources as areas such as Boise.
 “We were looking for a rural community that we had a feel for what they were doing,” said Brady. “We wanted to reach out to a rural community where there’s maybe greater need than in our area.”
 Beginning in 2015, the sports commission has worked to support youth in sports by recognizing the importance of the platform of sports in the life of a child. Described as the last classroom of the day by Brady, he said there is no better place for youth to gain life lessons like teamwork and responsibility and create better citizens and healthier communities.
 Weiser was chosen by the sports commission to donate to not only for being a rural community, but also because of Brady’s family connections in the area, with his sister and her family hailing from Weiser. Weiser was also noticed for the area’s value of youth and sports, making it a good fit with the organization.
 “I really do like the Weiser community,” said Brady. “I think it’s unique, I think it’s special. It’s just got a great feel and a great vibe to it.”
 Weiser Rec. Department Director Ken Anderson said he and the department are grateful for the donation, especially new baseball helmets and umpire score keepers. Throughout the year, the department receives sporadic donations of funds and gently used sporting gear and welcome the influx of items from the Idaho Youth Sports Commission. The haul included tennis nets, youth baseball pants, eight to ten football shoulder pads, eight to ten baseball helmets, and more.
 “We always go through a ton of [umpire indicators],” said Anderson. “It’s something that we use quite a bit, so I was pretty excited to get those for sure.”
 With the COVID-19 pandemic implementing restrictions on several activities over the past year, the Weiser Rec. Department is thankful to be utilized by youth, to keep teamwork and the opportunity to cultivate friendships alive. Particularly in the last year, youth have been limited on opportunities to visit friends and remain active, said Anderson, and the experience of team atmosphere is needed to support youth during this time.
“When you keep them busy, you keep them out of trouble. This COVID year has just been really hard on these kids, not being able to get out and be with their friends and run off some of the energy they have. The more support we get at the rec. department, the better the programs we can put on and keep these kids active and engaged and just being productive out there…”
 As of Feb. 17, the rec. department is scheduled to begin spring soccer. Precautions are being taken to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions as best as possible, including a staggered schedule of games and spreading fields to allow more space for social distancing. Registration is open until March 3. All children first grade through sixth grade are welcome to join and may register by printing a registration form from the rec. department website and bringing it to the department office, or by visiting the office to fill out a form.
 

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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