Bobby Bell race this weekend
The 23rd annual Bobby Bell 5-mile road race/walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11.
The walk will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the race will begin at 11 a.m. at the Lasting Room Grill, 122 Washington St. in downtown Haverhill.
The cost is $17 pre-entry and $22 post-entry.
T-shirts are given to the first 50 walker entries and 320 runner entries.
There are numerous awards in various age, weight and specialty categories.
The race features gender graded scoring, which helps women and men compete as equals.
After the race, there will be a buffet at The Lasting Room, with a DJ, raffles and prizes.
The race benefits two local scholarships as well as Haverhill Brightside, Haverhill Police Auxiliaries, the Andover Striders and others.
The Bobby Bell is Race 8 out of 20 on the Hockomock Swamp Rat 2009-2010 Grand Prix Series.
For more information, visit http://www.coolrunning.com/major/09/bbell/ or contact Dave LaBrode at ickylabrode@verizon.net.
More sports news at www.hgazatte.com
Youth basketball league at the Haverhill YMCA
The 2009-2010 Haverhill YMCA Youth Basketball League is accepting registrations for children in grades 1 through 8. The registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 17 and league play begins Saturday, Nov. 7. The season concludes Feb. 6. Games are held each Saturday at the Haverhill Y, 81 Winter St., or a local school.
The cost is $70 for YMCA members and $105 for non-members and a sibling discount applies. The league is open to players of all levels.
Weekly game times will vary. The final schedule will be handed out at the first game and will be available online at www.northshoreymca.org.
For more information or to sign up, contact Matt at chmielewskim@northshoreymca.org or 978-374-0506 x1618.
Haverhill Girls Basketball needs volunteer coordinator
Haverhill Girls Basketball is looking for a volunteer coordinator to organize travel teams this winter. For more information, contact Larry Snow at 978-372-5184 or Snowsolutions1@aol.com.
Bradford Ski Team seeks members
The Bradford Ski Team has opened registration for the 2009-2010 season. The youth alpine race team competes in the Eastern Mass Buddy Werner League.
Bradford Ski Team's race program is open to children of all ages through high school age who can ski. No racing experience is necessary. The team's coaching staff will teach team mambers the fundamental skills needed to be successful in the sport.
Practices are weeknights at Ski Bradford. The season starts at the sight of first snowfall in mid- to late December, and racing runs January through March on Sunday mornings. Registration is open online through Nov. 30. For more information and to register visitwww.bradfordskiteam.com, home of the 2009 EMBWL Champions!
Youth football seeks players, coaches
Haverhill Youth Rec Football League is registering players on the city Web site, www.ci.haverhill.ma.us. Click on "Departments," then "Parks and Recreation." In addition to players, there is a need for coaches and parents for a booster club. Call the recreation department at 978-374-2389 ext. 33 for more information.
Elite basketball club seeks players
The Mass. Elite Basketball Club is accepting player registrations for the fall travel team sessions. This program is geared toward youth entering seventh- through ninth grades.
Beginning in August, players will participate in a 10-game league schedule, compete in three regional tournaments, participate in weekly practice sessions and participate in a league playoff tournament.
Fees for the fall session have been placed at $325. Academic scholarships are available for student-athletes who compiled a 3.5 GPA or higher during their last full school year.
For more information, contact Eric Polli, director of Basketball Operations, at pollie@merrimack.edu or visit www.eteamz.com/maelite.
Adult football players wanted
The New England Hawks are recruiting players for their fall season, now in its third week.
Although the season has already begun, the Hawks welcome recruits at any time.
The Hawks are a semipro football team for ages 18 and older and play in the New England Football League. All skill levels are welcome; all positions are open. If you are interested, contact Mike Bernier at 603-766-1350 or mike@nehawks.com or visit at http://www.nehawks.com for more information.
Swim, diving lessons offered at HHS pool
Haverhill High School's pool will be open for diving lessons for ages 8 and up on Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m.
Cost is $5 per hour.
Family Swim Time (must be age 3 or older) is offered Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.
Cost is $3 per swimmer. For more information, call 978-374-5732.
Soccer opportunities in Topsfield
North Shore United Soccer Club will operate the Topsfield Fairground Indoor Soccer Center Starting in October. The arena will offer area soccer players local indoor soccer options. First, the arena will offer three side by side Calcetto fields. Calcetto is an Italian term for small sided soccer played without walls and with a regulation soccer ball. Also, NSU has added a youth training facility for players from U5 to U9. Called the NSU Grasshoppers Program, local youth players will be offered the chance to play and receive professional training from the NSU coaching staff.
The NSU Grasshopper Program will offer North Shore Town leagues and local youth players the opportunity to participate in developmental leagues for youth players U5 to U9. The club will provide professional coaches to make the experience invaluable for young town players. This train and play program will not only offer small sided competition but also professional training during each one hour session. The NSU Grasshoppers will focus on skill development and will offer a safe, fun and competitive atmosphere for young players.
NSU will be running three eight week sessions staring in mid October. Check out www.northshoreunitedsoccer.com for more information and registration.
To submit items for this feature, contact Staff Writer Cara Spilsbury at cspilsbury@hgazette.com.
