Late summer sports fun in Westlake

Late July and early August signals the annual approach to football season. Be it traditional tackle or the less hectic flag, Westlake has an option for you. The Westlake Youth Football Association offers two divisions of tackle football, 3rd/4th Grade and 5th/6th Grade. The WYFA competes in the Little SWC with teams from Lakewood to Avon, Fairview to Olmsted Falls making up the competition. Westlake Youth Football follows the USA Football Heads Up Program. Tackle football will start with conditioning the week of July 25. Practices then start the week of Aug. 1. Registration is happening right now; visit westlakeyouthfootball.org for more information. 

The Westlake Recreation Department offers three divisions of flag football. Registration for these divisions can be made at the Westlake Recreation Center or online at www.cityofwestlake.org/287/recreation. The divisions include 1st/2nd Grade, 3rd/4th Grade and 5th/6th Grade. The 1st/2nd Grade teams will practice and play in Westlake.  The other two age groups will practice in Westlake and play half their home games in Westlake, but they will also play some games in other cities like North Olmsted, Bay Village or Fairview Park. Practices are held during the week with games on Saturdays in September and October. Volunteer coaches are needed for all teams. All flag players will be provided with jerseys and a mouth guard. Deadline to register for flag football is Aug. 24, with practices beginning the week of Aug. 29. 

The week of July 25, coach Shawn Hood will be holding his annual basketball camp at the Westlake Recreation Center. Below are the listings for his two programs; visit the Rec Department's website to register.

Shawn Hood’s Basketball Skills & Drills Camp

Boys and girls in grades three through eight can join Westlake High School varsity boys coach Shawn Hood as he works with players to improve shooting, passing and overall skills. Camp will be held at the Westlake Recreation Center July 25-28. Grades 3-5 run from 9 a.m.-noon while grades 6-8 learn from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Cost is $150.

Junior Demons Skills Camp

Shawn Hood will teach children in kindergarten through second grade the basic mechanics of being a complete basketball player. Your child will learn the fundamentals of dribbling, passing and shooting. Coach Hood’s years of experience working with kids both on the court and in the classroom will make this an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone. Camp will be held at the Westlake Recreation Center July 25-28 from 3:45-4:45 p.m. Cost is $50.