Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin today announced the formation of the Birmingham Youth Sports League, a new initiative aimed at enriching the lives of young people through athletic training, mentoring and academic support.

“This is a chance for Birmingham to support and enhance the youth sports experience across our city,” said Mayor Woodfin. “We’re not just building athletes, we’re building character, community, and opportunity.”

The city plans to invest $500,000 in the program, he said. “This is not just seed money from the city,” Woodfin said. Corporate sponsors will make it a public-private partnership, he said. “We’re grateful for the private sector (support),” Woodfin said.

Broadening the availability of youth sports programs was one of the recommendations of the Birmingham Crime Commission earlier this year as a way of reducing crime.

“There’s probably nothing better than sports that teaches teamwork, that teaches trust, teaches communication and all these things we want for our child and children,” Woodfin said.

“The battle for the future of our city begins with our youngest members,” said Birmingham City Council member Clinton Woods.

“I know what it can mean for young people staying on track, young people staying out of trouble, young people building confidence, understanding how to overcome adversity,” Woods said.

The league launches this summer with football and cheerleading, and will expand to include basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer in future phases. Official launch dates for additional sports will be announced at a later date.

The league will focus on providing life skills, conflict resolution strategies, and academic mentorship to participating youth.

This pilot project represents a citywide commitment to investing in Birmingham’s next generation through positive engagement and structured activities. It also builds on recent efforts to revive city-run youth engagement programs like the Police Athletic Teams (P.A.T.) by the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board and Birmingham Police Department. The independent Birmingham Crime Commission highlighted the importance of such programs in its January 6, 2025, report recommending “reinvest in mentorship, education, and diversion programs to reduce juvenile crime and foster positive relationships. Re-implement the Police Athletic Teams (P.A.T.) and other proven youth engagement and mentorship partnerships.”

The league will be led by a governing team that includes an advisory team, commissioner, assistant commissioner, and operations directors for each sport, with coordination from the Mayor’s Office, Birmingham Park and Recreation, and the Department of Youth Services.

For more information or to get involved, visit the web site: www.birminghamal.gov/youthsports.

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin today announced the formation of the Birmingham Youth Sports League (BYSL) – a new initiative aimed at enriching the lives of young people through athletic training, mentorship, and academic support.

“This is a chance for Birmingham to support and enhance the youth sports experience across our city,” said Mayor Woodfin. “We’re not just building athletes, we’re building character, community, and opportunity.”

The league launches this summer with football and cheerleading, and will expand to include basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer in future phases. Official launch dates for additional sports will be announced at a later time.

The mission of BYSL is rooted in the CEETA standard: character, excellence, equity, teamwork, and accountability. In addition to athletic training, the league will focus on providing life skills, conflict resolution strategies, and academic mentorship to participating youth.

This pilot project represents a citywide commitment to investing in Birmingham’s next generation through positive engagement and structured activities. It also builds on recent efforts to revive city-run youth engagement programs like the Police Athletic Teams (P.A.T.) by the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board and Birmingham Police Department. The independent Birmingham Crime Commission highlighted the importance of such programs in its January 6, 2025, report recommending “reinvest in mentorship, education, and diversion programs to reduce juvenile crime and foster positive relationships. Re-implement the Police Athletic Teams (P.A.T.) and other proven youth engagement and mentorship partnerships.”

The league will be led by a governing team that includes an advisory team, commissioner, assistant commissioner, and operations directors for each sport, with coordination from the Mayor’s Office, Birmingham Park and Recreation, and the Department of Youth Services.

To: CHRIS THEOFIELD

From: Twins KATE and GRACE THEOFIELD, Smithtown West, lacrosse and soccer, Srs.

Dear Dad,

As our high school athletic careers come to an end, we wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything that you’ve done for us.

Your dedication has been unwavering. You have been our coach, mentor, motivator, cheerleader, advocate and greatest supporter. You taught us to work hard, learn from criticism, dig deep and persevere especially in times of adversity.

Your devotion and volunteerism during our days in youth sports instilled many life lessons for us to carry onto the next level. Whether it was soccer, basketball or lacrosse, you were everyone’s favorite coach. Intense but fair, loud but positive. You wanted everyone to be the best player that they could be! And let’s be honest, winning was a plus!

Our favorite moments on the field were when we looked up into the stands and saw you cheering us on as loud as you could. There is nothing more motivating than seeing how passionate you are and wanting us to do our best.

You sacrificed a lot to be there by our sides. Nerve-racking tryouts, endless traveling and your time away from home and work. You have taught all four of us that life is about hard work, consistent effort, supporting one another and being a good leader.

As we take the next step, although not together and far from our Smithtown home, we look forward to seeing you in the stands, loud as ever, cheering everyone on and sharing our love of lacrosse that you passed down to us!

All Our Love, from your favorite twins,

Kate and Grace

To: FRANK MEAK

From: GREYSON MEAK, Cold Spring Harbor, wrestling and football, Sr.

Dear Dad,

Happy Father’s Day! You are an incredible father and I would be nowhere near where I am today without you. You have always been my biggest supporter and my best friend and there is no way I can thank you enough for all you’ve done and all you’ve sacrificed for me.

You have been there for me, lifting me back up when I fall and supporting me in the worst of times. You have been there for me, being my biggest fan and the first to congratulate me during the best of times.

Through everything I do, I hope to make you proud, and I hope that one day I can be as great a father to my kids as you have been to me, and I hope I can help them achieve their goals and their dreams just as you have helped me achieve mine. Everything I’ve done and the man I am today is thanks to you.

I love you.

Greyson

To: JOE VARLACK

From: BRANDON VARLACK, Half Hollow Hills East, basketball, Sr.

Dear Dad,

Happy Father’s Day!

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate everything you do for me. You’re not just a great dad, you are also genuinely one of the nicest people I know. I think many people agree with me. Your kindness and support don’t go unnoticed, even if I don’t always say it out loud.

Thank you for being there for me. Whether it’s driving me to tournaments hours away or rebounding for me in the backyard, you never complain. You are always making sure I’m working hard. You are always there for me and making sure I have what I need to be great. That means a lot to me.

You’ve shown me what it means to be loving, not just by what you say, but by everything you do for our whole family. You put others first, and you never ask for anything in return. You are always there to help me out with school, give advice, or just sit and talk about basketball. This shows the kind of heart you have.

So today, I just want you to know how much I want to take after you, not just as a dad, but as a man. You’ve taught me more than I can put into words.

Thanks for being you. I’m very proud to call you my dad.

Love, Brandon

To: GARY HENRY

From: ALANA HENRY, Amityville volleyball, basketball, flag football, Sr.

Dear Dad,

Father’s Day gives me a chance to say thank you to someone who’s been there for me in ways that really mattered, my dad, Gary Henry. He hasn’t been my coach, he didn’t run the drills and he wasn’t always on the sidelines. But when it came to showing up in the ways that count, he’s never let me down. Whenever my mom couldn’t be there, whether it was a ride to practice, a tournament across the state, or just making sure I had what I needed, he stepped up without hesitation. He’s covered most of the expenses for my gear, my travel, my training, things I know aren’t easy, but he never once made me feel like a burden. That doesn’t shut down my mom either, she does equally the amount of work as he does. I appreciate them both for how much they’ve helped me.

He came to games when he could, sometimes calling out of work just to drive me to my weekend tournaments. And even when he couldn’t be there physically, I knew he was in my corner. He’s always supported me quietly, but fully. Never loud or overbearing, just steady. Solid. Reliable. As an athlete, it’s easy to get caught up in the spotlight or the stats. But the real foundation of everything I’ve achieved is the support behind the scenes. My dad may not have drawn up plays or shouted from the bench, but he gave me the opportunity to chase my dreams and that means everything.

So on this Father’s Day, I just want to say thank you, Dad. Thank you for all the sacrifices, the quiet support, and the unconditional belief in me. I hope every time I compete, you know I carry your love and effort with me.

Love, Alana