Volleyball is open to girls in grades 3 - 12 and is divided into two divisions. 

JV:  Grades 3 - 6  (COMPLETELY FULL)

Varsity: Grades 7 - 12  (COMPLETELY FULL)

Registration is open until February 15 but may close early if all spots are filled. Each division can accommodate 45 players.  We MAY be able to open more spots if we secure enough coaches to open additional teams. 

Evaluation dates will tentatively be the last week of February or the first week of March.

Practices are tentatively scheduled to begin the first weekend of March or second week of March. We are hoping to hold Saturday practices for the first two or three weekends of the season.

Games are tentatively scheduled to begin the last weekend of March, with games being held on Fridays and/or Saturdays.

The season will conclude with a tournament which will tentatively be held in mid-May.

There will be no end-of-season banquet, but we will celebrate teams after their last tournament game with goodie bags.

Jerseys are included in the cost of registration. It does NOT include shoes, socks, knee pads, or shorts

We are aiming to have 1-2 practices a week depending on number of games and gym availability. Practices will be held at both Sherrills Ford Elementary School and Catawba Elementary School

There is a $60 non-volunteer fee per player for families who do not volunteer to score keep or line judge throughout the season.

Game attendees are required to pay a gate fee to enter the games.

• $3 for adults
• $1 for school-age children
• Younger than that get in free

There is zero tolerance for drama and bullying. There is zero tolerance for yelling at coaches and referees. We have a 24-hour rule that applies to players, parents, and coaches. You must wait a full 24 hours prior to bringing up any issues to volleyball coaches, the volleyball committee, or the volleyball chair.

Teams will be divided evenly based on skill and we will not be accepting any coaching requests.

The volleyball committee is responsible for all roster and team placement decisions. Player placement is based on evaluations, team needs, and long-term development within the program. Although we recognize that parents may wish to request placement changes, JV-to-Varsity move requests are not typically granted. Any consideration of such requests will be made solely at the discretion of the Volleyball Committee and only under exceptional circumstances. We ask families to trust the placement process and support the program’s commitment to fairness and player development.

REGISTRATION IS COMPLETELY FULL AND NO MORE ENTRIES ON THE WAIT LIST WILL BE ACCEPTED

Softball is open to girls ages seven to twelve and is divided into three divisions. 

• 8U - born between 5/1/2017 and 4/30/2019 on in 2nd grade or lower
• 10U - born between 5/1/2015 and 4/30/2017 or in 4th grade or lower
• 12U - born between 5/1/2013 and 4/30/2015 or in 6th grade or lower

Registration fees:

early bird: 1/9/2026 - 2/2/2026: $125.00 
regular registration: 2/3/2026 - 2/27/2026: $150.00

No late registration except to complete a team.

The season starts the week of 3/2/2026 with evaluations. The schedule will be determined by the coaches and will be communicated via email or the league communication tool, Band. 

Uniforms include: pants, socks, jersey, and a belt. You must supply your own hat or visor. 

Required Equipment:

• softball cleats 
• softball bag 
• softball defensive mask 
• softball specific glove  (see notes below)
• softball bat  (see notes below)

Softball glove: 

• 8u at least 11” glove up to 15” glove depending on the size of the girl, not the hand 
• 10u at least 14” glove up to 16” glove depending on the size of the girl, not the hand 

Softball Bat 

Softball bat size should be determined by the strength, height, and weight of each girl. 

• 8u should start at around 24” depending on strength of girl up to 30”
• 10u should start around 26” depending on strength of girl up to 33” 

Disclaimer: if you are unsure of size of bat and glove, we will size you at the first practice. It is ok to not have these items during the first practice. 

So that players and coaches can have the best experience possible, we have a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 13 players per team. Once we reach 13 players, we will keep registration open with the hope that we have enough players for the next team to form. For example, we need a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 26 players to form two teams. If we have 18 players register, that is not enough to form a second team, and we will refund those players who registered in slots 14 to 18. 

Baseball is open to boys ages seven to twelve and is divided into three divisions. 

• 8U - born between 5/1/2017 and 4/30/2019 
• 10U - born between 5/1/2015 and 4/30/2017
• 12U - born between 5/1/2013 and 4/30/2015

Registration fees:

early bird: 1/9/2026 - 2/2/2026: $125.00 
regular registration: 2/3/2026 - 2/27/2026: $150.00

No late registration except to complete a team.

The season starts the week of 3/2/2026 with evaluations. The schedule will be determined by the coaches and will be communicated via email or the league communication tool, Band. 

Uniforms include: pants, socks, jersey, hat, and a belt. 

Required Equipment:

• glove
• bat

Disclaimer: if you are unsure of size of bat and glove, we will size you at the first practice. It is ok to not have these items during the first practice. 

So that players and coaches can have the best experience possible, we have a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 13 players per team. Once we reach 13 players, we will keep registration open with the hope that we have enough players for the next team to form. For example, we need a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 26 players to form two teams. If we have 18 players register, that is not enough to form a second team, and we will refund those players who registered in slots 14 to 18. 

Tee-ball is open to boys and girls ages four and six and born between 5/1/2019 and 8/31/2022

Registration fees:

early bird: 1/9/2026 - 2/2/2026: $85.00
regular registration: 2/3/2026 - 2/23/2026: $100.00

No late registration except to complete a team. We will have a maximum of 8 teams with 10-13 players per team. DO NOT delay in registering. 

The season starts the week of 3/2/2026 and will end 5/16/2026 with an end-of-season party. There are no evaluations for tee-ball. 

Uniforms include: socks, jersey, hat, and a belt. 

Required Equipment:

• glove

Disclaimer: if you are unsure of size of bat and glove, we will size you at the first practice. It is ok to not have these items during the first practice. 

Due to some changes in our program, we are opening Fall 2026 soccer registration early. You do NOT have to pay for the registration until this fall. If you choose not to pay during registration, the system will automatically bill you on July 24th. 

---------------------------------

WE DO NOT HONOR REQUESTS FOR
COACHES OR CARPOOLING.

PLEASE DON'T ASK. 

---------------------------------
DO NOT DELAY IN REGISTERING!
TEAMS WILL FILL QUICKLY
A WAIT LIST WILL BE CREATED IF TEAMS ARE FILLED
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Volunteer Requirements
Due to the complexity and time to run a sport the size of soccer, we will be requiring each family to provide two hours of volunteer time per player. If this is not a possibility, you can pay a $60 fee to opt out. The $60 fee will be used to pay someone to do the work a volunteer would normally do. 

Age Brackets
Soccer is open to ages 3 through 12.  Except for Academy and U6, playing ages are determined by the player's age as of August 31. Players are allowed to play up an age bracket (and only upon approval by the soccer director), but never down. All ages are co-ed.

• Academy: 3 to 4.5 (born between 3/1/2022 and 8/31/2023)
• U6: ages 4.5 - 5  (born between 9/1/2020 and 2/28/2022)
• U8: ages 6 and 7  (born between 9/1/2018 and 8/31/2020)
• U10: ages 8 and 9  (born between 9/1/2016 to 8/31/2018)
• U13: ages 10, 11, 12   (born between 9/1/2013 to 8/31/2016)

Academy and U6 Registration:
Cost: $90
Registration Dates: 1/8/2026 - 
Includes a soccer t-shirt and socks. Players play games using the game day U6 jerseys.

U8, U10, U13 Registration:
Early Bird: $115 open 1/8/2026 - 2/13/2026
Regular Registration:  $135 open 2/14/2026 - 7/24/2026
 

NO LATE REGISTRATIONS EXCEPT TO COMPLETE A TEAM
Registration includes a team jersey and matching socks.
 

Practices
There will be no mandatory practices this summer. There will be open practice dates for anyone interested, dates TBD.  All regular season practices are at SFO unless otherwise noted. 

Mandatory Evaluations / Team Practices
Mandatory Skills Evaluations for U8, U10 will be the week of August 5th. There are no evaluations for Academy, U6, or U13. U13 teams are based (mostly) on age and designed to allow teammates to play together longer as they prepare to enter middle school. Team practices will begin the week of August 10th. There are typically two practices per week. Unless otherwise stated, all practices will be held at SFO.

Season Schedule
Games will run from September 5 to mid-November. The U10 and U13 age groups play in the Catawba Cup League. Travel to other locations for games (Maiden and Mt. View) is required. U10 and U13 have an end-of-year tournament, November 13 - 15. A fee to get into the tournament will be collected to cover the costs of running the tournament, such as medals and additional referees. 

Soccer Ball Sizes
Academy, U6, and U8:  Size 3
U10: size 4
U13: size 5
Coaches will have some extra balls, but it is highly encouraged for players to have their own.

Required Equipment
Shin guards are REQUIRED for all practices and games. Soccer cleats are recommended for all age groups and are required for U8 and above.
A jersey and socks are provided for U8, U10, and U13. Players provide black shorts to wear with the uniform. 

Fall Sports
Registrations open early to mid-May (before school lets out)
Football, Soccer, Fall Volleyball, Cheer, Fall Baseball, Fall Softball

Winter Sports
Registrations open early to mid-September
Basketball

Spring Sports
Registrations open early-January
Baseball, Softball, Tee-ball, Spring Volleyball, Soccer (proposed)

Summer Sports
Adult Softball

Please Read Prior To Registration

As a parent / guardian, you agree to the participation rules set forth in this document. Please make sure you read and understand them prior to registering for a Sherrills Ford Optimist activity. 

Sherrills Ford Optimist is actively recruiting companies, groups, churches, and/or individuals to be sponsors for our Park. Please visit the Sponsorship page to see the levels available and to see the benefits of each level.  There is also a link to a form on that page where you select a sponsorship package, provide your company information, and pay all in one simple step. 

Sherrills Ford Optimist is a 501 (c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible. We welcome all donations and a receipt can be provided to you upon request. 

Use the "Donate" button below to donate via Paypal or send a check made out to Sherrills Ford Optimist to: 

Sherrills Ford Optimist

P.O. Box  32

Sherrills Ford, NC 28673

Questions about donations?  Send an email to info@sfoptimist.org

Sherrills Ford Optimist is the place for youth sports in Eastern Catawba County. We have been serving the youth and families of our area since 1975. For full details on the sports we offer, check out the sections below divided by sports season.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to receive notifications when registrations open!

Our park is operated 100% through volunteers, and we rely on fundraisers and sponsorships to keep our park operating for the youth in our community. Please see below if you are interested in donating to the park. For volunteer opportunities, please click here. 

For more information about ways to get involved, or to send an idea to our Board of Directors, please email info@SFOptimist.org.

More than 1,200 youth participate in our athletic activities each year.