Cookeville Youth Volleyball registration now open, with an expanded program being offered.
City Athletic Director Seth Bruton said the original program had a younger age cap. Bruton said local families requested wanted to older teenagers, as many older girls requested a similar introductory opportunity into volleyball. Bruton said the expansion will allow the program to give more young people an opportunity to learn the sport.
The league before pretty much just went up to their freshman year at 15 years old,” Bruton said. “Us allowing, or us expanding out to 18 now gives the sophomore, juniors and seniors, you know, an opportunity if they want to try to get in and learn volleyball, you know, have fun, and continue to grow in the sport.”
Bruton said this program can help these mid-stage players gain the skills they need to cross over into a mature level sport.
Bruton said the program heads into its fifth season as local volleyball has grown in popularity over the last couple of years. Bruton said demand for the expansion extends past the city.
“We’ve had some that come as far as Watertown, the southern border of Kentucky, we have them come from Crossville,” Bruton said. “So we are not just completely local to Cookeville.”
Bruton said there is nothing to meet the demand in the area. Bruton said the changes were implemented through coaches, the advisory board and community feedback. Bruton said several parents reached out to him regarding similar entry-level volleyball opportunities for teens.
“We’re hoping that it continues to grow the sport of volleyball in the area, Bruton said, “We feel like we’ve seen some significant, you know, interest in the game of volleyball.”
Bruton said the impact the program has on the community is evident when looking at school players that began in the program.
