Kyrene Athletic Program introduces new opportunities for boys, girls sports

Students in Kyrene School District will have an expanded slate of sports to choose from in the 2024-25 school year, including boys' and girls' flag football and boys volleyball.

Co-ed spirit line and step teams are expected to launch during the second quarter of the school year as well.

“When deciding which sports opportunities to add next school year, boys and girls flag football seemed like a no-brainer,” Kyrene Community Education Director Josh Glider said. “We have students who have continuously reached out to us to bring it on. Boys volleyball is another sport that the athletic coordinating committee has been considering for a while, and there is enough interest now to make it an option for this school year.”

In adding more opportunities, the Kyrene Athletic Program hopes to increase student participation and students’ sense of belonging within their school and among their peers. A cornerstone of the Kyrene Strategic Plan 2023-2028, reflected in The Kyrene Promise, is improving students’ sense of belonging in their school communities.

To ensure students who want to participate will have the chance to do so, KAP will offer overflow teams based on student interest, with additional teams for both girls and boys volleyball and basketball.

In partnership with the city of Tempe, girls and boys flag football overflow teams may also be offered.

“We created overflow teams for basketball volleyball to increase opportunities for students to participate,” KAP Program Manager Chris Hanson said. “This decision was made to help meet the needs of our community, support the development of student skills and ultimately help prepare them for varsity and high school athletics.”

For nearly 20 years, Kyrene has proudly offered both cut and non-cut sports for middle school students. KAP is a positive, high-quality sports program that emphasizes participation, teamwork, skill development and sportsmanship.

Families and students will still be able to look forward to participating in the sports they have always enjoyed, including cross country, girls volleyball, softball, soccer, wrestling, basketball, soccer, baseball, and track and field.

KAP partners with the city of Tempe and is always looking to expand opportunities for students. For information about Kyrene’s Athletic Program, visit www.kyrene.org/athletics.

Community members interested in officiating or coaching are invited to reach out to Chris Hanson, at chanson@kyrene.org or 480-541-1512.