Sports are a great way to bring the community together through some friendly competition, and thankfully, the Greater Tampa Bay Area offers a multitude of recreational sports teams for residents of all ages.
Pasco County
Pasco County is located along Florida’s Sports Coast, and that name is certainly well earned. Also known as the naturalist capital of the United States, Pasco offers its residents a whole lot more than just naturally beautiful landscapes, with sports centers that are a sight to behold in themselves.
A notable attraction is the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Wesley Chapel, a nearly 100,000-square-foot indoor facility which houses more than a dozen volleyball and pickleball courts, a competition cheer studio, wrestling and martial arts mats, 56 fencing strips, indoor soccer and lacrosse surfaces and more. A popular tournament venue, there is even a Marriott Hotel on premises to round out the hospitality for athletes and their families.
Across the region, there are 15 sports complexes, numerous youth athletic leagues and an adult softball league. Several Pasco parks and complexes host karate, dance class, Zumba, tai chi, pickleball, youth hockey and more to suit any athletic interest. The residents of Pasco County have many opportunities to get involved and have a ball.
Pinellas County
With a whopping 20 sports complexes, several golf courses and a plethora of team sports to choose from, boredom is not an option for the residents of Pinellas County. Adults can relive their days at recess by joining the adult dodgeball league, or hop on the hottest new trend in sports with the county’s new pickleball league. Softball, basketball and flag football are just a few of the other team sports adults can join.
Local teens can jump in on some recreational fun outside of school by joining any one of the recreational sports teams for middle and high school students, including flag football, volleyball, dodgeball and basketball. Kids can also get involved in the community fun and add their names to the roster on baseball, softball, lacrosse, football, cheerleading, basketball and soccer youth teams.
Hillsborough County
From skate parks to state-of-the-art sports complexes, Hillsborough County locals have plenty of options to keep them active all year long. With a wide range of youth athletic teams, including football, cheerleading, lacrosse, softball, baseball, cricket and even skate camps, youngsters have ample opportunity to discover new sports while making new friends.
Do not worry — kids will not hog up all the fun. Adults can let their hair down and blow off some steam in adult recreational leagues for basketball, cricket, flag football and softball. Hillsborough County also offers an adaptive sports program that allows children and adults with disabilities to join competitive sports teams year-round.
By Shelley Akins
