A local school district launches its 6th-grade intramural sports program this weekend.
Ysleta Independent School District is hosting it first ever intramural soccer championship on Saturday.
The school district introduces the program at their campuses throughout the school year.
School officials explained the program helps children socially, emotionally and physically.
Sixth-grade students, who were relocated from elementary schools to middle schools this year, but are unable to participate in UIL athletics until the seventh grade are eligible to play.
Saturday's soccer championship starts at 8 a.m. to noon at the Riverside High School stadium.
A total of 18 sixth-grade teams from Bel Air Middle, Del Valle Middle, Eastwood Middle, Hanks Middle, Parkland Middle, Riverside Middle, Ysleta Middle, Alicia R. Chacon International, and Eastwood Knolls International will compete for the district’s overall championship and All-Tournament Team honors.
“Intramurals help sixth-graders develop athletic skills and give them a better understanding of organized sports before the seventh- and eighth-grade years,” Ysleta ISD Athletic Director Martin Segovia added. “At the same time, intramurals help keep them physically active and engaged while having fun with new friends at their new campuses.”
With the start of every nine-week grading period, a new intramural sport will be introduced, officials said.
Soccer took place during the first nine weeks of this school year; it will be followed in October with co-ed volleyball, then basketball and flag football in the Spring semester.
Overall championships will take place at the end of each grading period.
Saturday’s soccer championships are open to the public.
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