Embarking on a fitness journey requires a great deal of discipline, commitment and hard work. Some people choose to pursue their health and wellness goals on their own, investing countless hours each year in counting calories and working out.
Others choose to pursue their fitness dreams with groups of likeminded people. They find joy and comfort in sharing their exercise time with others, and they derive motivation from being surrounded by constant sources of encouragement.
It is this second group for which the Hendersonville Parks Adult Recreation Leagues were created.
“We first began offering adult sports leagues in the early 1980s,” says Hendersonville Parks & Recreation Director Andy Gilley. “Initially, our leagues were created as adjuncts to local church softball and basketball groups which were prevalent back then.”
Since that time, the adult league popularity has soared, offering something for everyone interested in competitive group fitness activities.
Today, the Parks Department offers a wide gamut of organized team sports, including softball, kickball, basketball, tennis, pickleball, rugby, soccer and inline hockey. All of the leagues are operated by the City of Hendersonville, with the exception of soccer, hockey and rugby, which are coordinated by private organizations. Each league charges a modest participation fee to help cover facilities and operational costs.
Most of the sports leagues operate on a seasonal basis, with the exception of tennis, which is played year-round. All of the league games are spread across various locations, including Drakes Creek Park, Veterans Park, Memorial Park, Volunteer Park at Arrowhead, the Adult Rugby Complex and several local school gymnasiums.
“We are proud of the participation in our leagues, which runs between 50 and 100 athletes in each sport,” says Andy. “We have seen particular interest in pickleball, with good growth in adult basketball and kickball, as well.”