They’re helping kids make friends, learn new skills… and maybe even burn some of that overflowing energy!
Established by Laura Abbott and Jenn Clif in 2024, the Stavely Sports Association is making physical activity even more accessible for their community.
“Myself and my partner Jenn Clif were just two moms that enjoyed having our kids play soccer together,” says co-founder Laura Abbott. “But we just needed more. Soccer was great for Stavely, but it always felt like there was just a little bit lacking in town. So last summer, we created the Stavely Sports Association, where we offer affordable year-round sports for kids”
The year-long schedule includes dodgeball in the winter, running club in summer and fall, and soccer in spring and fall. They also hoping to add free time at the Stavely School gym this fall.
“Right now, our soccer kids are enjoying one night of soccer [per week] for $20 per kid, and that gets them eight weeks of soccer. So that’s about $2.50 a week. And if kids are just needing that little bit more time, we offer two nights of soccer [per week] for $30.00. So that’s 16 sessions [over eight weeks].”
Rates vary from season to season, but their ultimate goal is affordability. Remarkable volunteers and financial assistance from KidSport have done wonders for the success of this initiative.
“We are so lucky- we have a number of parents who volunteer their time. The school doesn’t charge us anything, which is fantastic as well- we have a really great relationship with our school. And we collect bottles- we do a couple bottle drives every now and then.”
The last bottle drive helped the Association collect nearly $500, which went towards new nets and soccer balls.
The Stavely Sports Associations is also very thankful for their partnerships with the Stavely Parent Council, and the FP Walshe High School in Fort MacLeod, who donated their time and skills to build the Association an equipment storage shed.
Community support has also been remarkable.
“We’re still in the early processes, but I think the community in general deserves a huge shoutout. We have had so many compliments- we’ve had people catch us on the street, saying ‘hey, what a great thing you’re doing’.
Want to set up your child for a more active year? Find and follow Stavely Sports Association on Facebook to stay up to date on opportunities and events, or email stavelysports@hotmail.com.