EYAA: Bringing Epsom Together Through Youth Sports
Epsom’s playing fields are filling once again with young athletes.
By Shauna Fisher
Epsom’s playing fields are filling once again with young athletes, families, coaches, and neighbors gathering for another season of Epsom Youth Athletic Association sports.
For generations of Epsom children, youth sports have provided opportunities to learn a game, make friends, and be part of a team. Behind those experiences is a community organization powered entirely by volunteers.
The Epsom Youth Athletic Association (EYAA) currently offers soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, and tee ball, with opportunities ranging from Pre-K through high school. Programs begin with an introduction to the fundamentals and progress to opportunities for young athletes to strengthen skills, learn teamwork, and deepen their understanding of the game.
“Each sport operates seasonally, with soccer and softball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball, softball, and tee ball in the spring,” explained Angela Little, EYAA secretary.
EYAA also offers clinics and other opportunities throughout the year. Families can find information about programs, registration, schedules, and upcoming events on the EYAA website and can follow the organization on Facebook for announcements and reminders.
Powered by Volunteers
While young athletes may be the most visible part of EYAA, an enormous amount of work happens behind the scenes.
“EYAA is a nonprofit organization that is run entirely by volunteers, and volunteers really are the backbone of everything we do,” Little said.
Those volunteers coach teams and serve as assistants, but opportunities extend well beyond coaching. Community members help maintain and improve fields, organize fundraisers and special events, assist with administrative work, and take on other tasks throughout the year. During basketball season, volunteers may run the scoreboard and clock, help set up or break down the gym, or assist with clinics for younger players.
Importantly, people do not need to have a child participating in EYAA to get involved. Monthly meetings are open to anyone interested in learning more about the organization.
“One of the things we want people to know is that volunteering doesn't always mean making a huge time commitment,” Little said. “Sometimes it's coaching an entire season, but sometimes it's helping prepare a field, working an event, assisting with fundraising, or giving us a few hours when we need extra hands. All of those contributions matter.”
Lessons That Go Beyond the Game
Although learning to kick a soccer ball, swing a bat, or shoot a basket may bring children to EYAA, Little believes,”...EYAA's impact goes far beyond teaching kids how to play a sport. Our mission speaks about developing good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and responsibility, and I think that's really at the heart of what youth athletics can provide.”
Through practices, games, wins, losses, and challenges, children learn to work toward a goal, support teammates, persevere when things are difficult, and be part of something larger than themselves.
Those experiences can also strengthen connections among families. Parents and children see one another at practices, games, tournaments, field cleanups, and other events throughout the year.
“When you volunteer for EYAA, you're not simply filling a position or completing a task—you're helping create experiences and memories for local kids that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives,” Little said.
Supporting EYAA in Different Ways
Not everyone has time to coach a team or help on a field, but you can support the organization in other ways.
As a nonprofit, EYAA relies on registration fees, fundraising, donations, sponsorships, and community support to run its programs while keeping participation affordable for families.
Local businesses and organizations can become sponsors, but support doesn't necessarily have to be financial. Individuals and businesses may also have materials, equipment, services, or expertise that could help.
“Sometimes the most valuable community partnerships start simply with someone asking, ‘What do you need?’” Little said.
Even helping spread the word about programs, attending events, or encouraging others to become involved can contribute to EYAA’s work.
Growing Up With EYAA
For Little, EYAA's impact isn't something she sees only as a volunteer. She has watched it unfold within her own family.
“Youth sports have given my kids opportunities to grow not only as athletes but as people,” she said. “They've learned about teamwork, commitment, sportsmanship, perseverance, and what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
Some of the experiences she values most have little to do with the final score: friendships forming among children, a player becoming more confident over the course of a season, coaches encouraging children through their struggles, and families spending time together along the sidelines.
There are also the small moments that become part of growing up—the practices and tournaments, muddy fields and cold sidelines, team celebrations and exciting games.
“Some of the best memories my children will have from growing up in Epsom will involve teammates, coaches, fields, gyms, and friendships that came through youth sports,” Little said.
Those experiences have also shown her children something about the adults in their community.
“Being involved with EYAA has also given our family a stronger connection to the Epsom community,” Little said. “My children get to see adults volunteering, giving back, and taking pride in their community, and I think that's an important lesson in itself.”
To learn more about programs, registration, volunteering, sponsorship opportunities, or upcoming events, visit the Epsom Youth Athletic Association website at eyaasports.net or follow EYAA on Facebook.
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