Parkview Christian Church Expanding Youth Sports Program

NEW LENOX, IL — Parkview One Athletics is now offering flag football for children in pre-K through eighth grade. The program is part of Parkview Christian Church, which has locations in New Lenox, Orland Park and Homer Glen.

Parkview One Athletics was created as a way for the church to "get out of the four walls" of the churches, while making a difference in the community through "grace-filled athletics," said Parkview Christian Church Executive Director of Finance and Facilities, Ken Andresen.

"For us, it was more: How can we take, let's say, the message of sharing God's love, and put that into where at least the athletes in the area are being exposed to what truly winning looks like and the key fundamentals that we talk about," Andresen said.

Participants in Parkview One Athletics do not have to be members of the church, Andresen said. Families from outside of the church are encouraged to participate to be able to meet new people.

The youth sports programs began about a year ago with its soccer program, according to Andresen. Already about 1,000 children have participated in the youth sports programs, Andresen said.

And it's not just the children who get involved. More than 100 parents have served as volunteer coaches, Andresen said.

Parkview One Athletics also plans to offer indoor basketball and volleyball later in the fall and winter, according to Andresen. Those programs will be available for registration through the Parkview One Athletics website once dates for those programs can be confirmed, Andresen said.

Flag football participants will meet for practices from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from Aug. 2 to Sept. 27. Games will be played from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays from Aug. 6 to Oct. 1. Practices and games are scheduled to take place at Buske Park, 11435 Hillside Lane in Mokena.

Registration cost is $95 for a single participant, or $90 per participant for more than one child.

As an incentive to get children registered for the youth sports program, Parkview One Athletics is offering a 50 percent discount on flag football registration for new participants in the program. Current participants can also receive the 50 percent discount by referring new participants.

To receive the discount code, email athletics@parkviewchurch.com.

To register for the flag football program, or for more information on the programs provided, visit the Parkview One Athletics website.