Youth sports coaches dealing with heat, looking to provide more opportunities during summer

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – As Tucson reaches the hottest temperatures of the year so far, there has been an increasing effect on youth sports.

A road race in Tucson set for Thursday was canceled due to an excessive heat warning.

This came as other sports programs like tennis continued to adjust around the heat even as they got into the thick of their competitive season.

“We have a tournament starting Saturday. We have a tournament from July 21 through the 23rd [in] August, the beginning of August, September, October. So not much changes,” said El Conquistador Tennis Director Jennifer Fuchs.

However, Fuchs said her program, like many other youth sports programs, makes changes to adjust to the heat

“Basically, we start earlier. Play begins at seven. A lot of people are off the courts by 11,” Fuchs said, “Then we start private lessons at 5 p.m., and run through 8, 9 p.m..”

Out-of-season sports like football, soccer, and lacrosse host clinics in the summer to keep kids active and hold some of the same standards when it comes to keeping kids safe.

“In the summer for our clinics, we keep it light. All light clothing, tell the parents to bring four water bottles instead of two,” President of the Oro Valley Lacrosse Club Douglas Charters said.

But when temperatures peak near 110 degrees like they did Thursday, there’s only so much programs can do and for city-sponsored events they may be shut down by officials.

“What I look for, when I speak to my fellow my coworkers, is more about what the heat warning is,” said Dean Hoskin, Tucson’s Recreation Superintendent.

Those possible cancellations along with other heat-related impacts on youth sports is part of the reason why there has been a push for more indoor facilities like the Tucson Soccer Center and the new iceplex being built at Kino Sports South Complex.

“We’re really looking forward to indoor training in the future and looking for opportunities to do that,” Charters said, “Resources are tough here in southern Arizona for some of these things.”

However, this summer the escape from the heat depends on what resources are currently available, which for many outdoor prominent sports are few and far between.

“We take into consideration many factors, but at the end of the day, it’s a matter of space. Where do we have space to operate that particular sport?” Hoskin said.

It’s something that some coaches worry may affect participation overall, as Arizona ranks second worst in the country in youth sports participation, according to a 2023 study from the Aspen Institute’s Project Play.

“It’s going to affect kids, you know, they’re not going to want to get out, especially in the middle of the day. So that’s why we’re trying to push for evening clinics,” Charters says.

However, coaches like Fuchs say they will continue to look out for the kids and provide an inviting environment in the heat to get kids active in the summer.

“If you have a really good team that cares for the child, first, that’s the most important thing. As a team here, we’re focused on the child,” Fuchs said.

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