BRICK – For local families, youth sports can often come with a cost. Between registration fees, equipment, travel teams and private training, many opportunities for children to stay active and develop their skills are not always accessible to every family. Through Brick Recreation and the Brick Municipal Alliance Coalition, also known as BMAC, the Sports Saturdays program is helping remove that barrier.
Sports Saturdays is a free youth sports and wellness program for boys and girls ages 9 through 12. The program gives children a place to move, learn, compete, connect with others and, most importantly, gain confidence in themselves.
Overseen by Brandi White of BMAC, the program is designed to do more than introduce children to sports. It gives young people a positive place to spend their Saturday mornings while helping them discover their strengths, build self-esteem and develop a sense of purpose.
“Every time you have to pay for something, it creates a barrier for people. In this day and age, you don’t know someone’s financial situation, so making this program free eliminates that barrier,” White said. “It gives people an opportunity to participate, especially when you look at youth sports and how much they can cost. More people are willing to come out and at least check it out because they aren’t investing that financial piece before they even see what it’s all about. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to come back. No commitment.”
“When these kids walk from Sports Saturdays, we want them to realize that each one of them matters and that they are capable of achieving anything and everything that they want if they go for it,” White added. “I leave these sessions feeling inspired and motivated about myself, so I can only imagine how these kids feel when they leave.”
The program ran on Saturdays from March 28 through June 27 at Brick Civic Plaza, with sessions offered at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Each session is 90 minutes long, and families can register their children for one or more sessions. Space is limited to 30 children per session, allowing participants to receive attention and support in a smaller group setting.
While the activities are built around sports, fitness and movement, the heart of the program is personal growth. Children are encouraged to try new things, push through challenges and support one another. For some participants, that may mean learning a new athletic skill. For others, it may mean finding the courage to join a group, speak up, lead a drill or simply believe they belong.
Sports Saturdays is led by trainers from Mentor Academy of New Jersey, including certified physical education teachers and youth trainers. Their role is not only to teach athletic skills, but also to help children recognize what they are capable of accomplishing.
“We don’t let the kids worry too much about competition in the sense of looking outward,” explained Jason Miller, Sports Saturdays coach. “More like looking inward and seeing what they can bring to the table. What leadership skills do they have? How can they help themselves and help others? Greatness breeds greatness, and that’s what we want to help develop at a young age.”
That confidence can be especially meaningful at that age. Children between 9 and 12 are beginning to form a stronger sense of who they are, what they enjoy and where they fit in. A free program like Sports Saturdays gives them the chance to explore those questions in a safe, structured and encouraging environment.
For parents, the program offers peace of mind. Their children are staying active, being mentored by positive adults and participating in something that doesn’t create a financial burden for the family. In a time when many youth activities can become expensive, Sports Saturdays provides a valuable opportunity at no cost.
“Through the program I’ve seen a real difference in my son’s confidence. We were out shopping the other night, and he saw one of the kids who also participates in Sports Saturdays. He went right up to him, and they said hi to each another without the parents even realizing it. That’s not something they would have done even a year ago,” said Adam Niciewski, whose 10- year-old son, Jackson, just finished up his second year with Sports Saturdays.
“It’s amazing to have a free local program like this because everything is so expensive now. Summer camp can be $300 a week, and swimming lessons aren’t cheap either. It becomes even more financially difficult when you have multiple kids.”
The program also supports BMAC’s larger mission of prevention and healthy decision-making. By giving children positive outlets, trusted mentors and meaningful activities, Sports Saturdays helps young people build the confidence and resilience they need to make good choices. It shows them that they matter, that they are capable and that they have a place where they can grow.
For older campers or mentors involved with the program, Sports Saturdays can also provide a sense of responsibility and purpose. Their presence gives younger children someone to look up to, while also allowing mentors to see the impact they can have on others.
“I love seeing kids make new friends and hanging out with everyone else. I’ve learned a lot of sports skills through the program. I used to not really like sports at all, and now I wrestle and play football. I used to struggle with catching and throwing, but I slowly got better. The coaches are always there to help you. They guide you through everything and try to make you better,” said Zachary Loveland, 15, a raising sophomore at Brick Memorial High School and a mentor at Sports Saturdays.
Sports Saturdays is funded through a BMAC grant provided by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Families interested in participating in Brick Recreation events can register through the office at 270 Chambers Bridge Road, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or online through the township’s recreation registration system. More information is available by calling 732-262-1053.
At its core, Sports Saturdays is about opportunity. It gives Brick children access to free sports programming, but its impact goes far beyond exercise. It gives them confidence. It gives them encouragement. It gives them a reason to show up, try hard and believe in themselves.
For many young participants, that may be the most important win of all.
