Adult Sports Get Boost In Madison
MADISON- The City of Madison Recreation Department’s athletic endeavors are about to take a big swing towards the adult population in Madison as new programs will be added to the already splendid array of both adult and youth recreational programs offered throughout the year.
Dylan Reutter, program assistant at Dublin Memorial Park and new adult program coordinator, is eagerly arranging what is expected to be a banner of new adult programs featuring team and individual programs, as well as, co-ed team play. At his new position with the Madison Recreation Department since December, while being a department employee for over five years, Reutter said the expansion of adult programs is long overdue and should be a huge hit for residents of Madison and surrounding areas.
“We took information from the residents on what type of adult programs they would like to have here in Madison and we used that information to try and come up with a list of what we hope will be great programs,” said Reutter, 22.
Programs featuring volleyball, Pickleball, dodgeball, 3-on-3 basketball, 5-on-5 flag football, women’s softball and kickball look to be the events that will jump start the surge in adult activities in 2018. As Reutter pointed out, “Not all of this is totally set as we can switch things up should we need to.”
Volleyball begins this month and runs through the end of May. Eight to 10 teams are expected to be formed and will be co-ed. The sport will take a break during the summer months and return in the fall.
Pickleball is one of the hottest and newest sports around and is somewhere between tennis, badminton, and table tennis, whereas, paddle, ball and netting are part of the competition. This program is currently just getting started at Dublin and features open play for all skill levels and club sport.
Dodgeball has been around for many years and will be held randomly on weekends May through July. Teams of eight players, depending on the number of those who will be registered, will make up teams.
One of the most popular events will be the 3-on-3 basketball tournaments where particular rules governing co-ed or having men and women teams will be determined on how registration goes for this fun event.
Men’s 5-on-5 flag football is new for Madison and will take place at Palmer Park during the months of September and October. Play will be held on Saturdays and Sundays afternoons lasting until the park closing.
Women’s softball will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings and according to Reutter, “This one sport kept popping up in the research of what to offer.” This sport will also be played at Palmer Park.
A new Kickball League will hopefully kickoff in July and last through August and may be held Monday and Wednesday nights. The league will be co-ed and Reutter said, “We will certainly attempt to set rules to make games fair, but competitive for both men and woman.”
All of the details of the adult programs will be available on the department’s Facebook page as soon as all is in focus. Reutter indicated fees will be very reasonable with current volleyball fee of $75 and pickleball club fee of $20. Open play for pickleball is the daily fee at Dublin Memorial Park. Additional program details and fees will be available soon. He also suggested those with questions can e-mail him or program director Kelly Johnson or by calling Dublin Memorial Park at 256-772-9300.
