FORESTVILLE — The Hanover Youth Recreation basketball program is in full swing, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until April 2 for boys and girls in grades two through six. Students from Forestville and Silver Creek are invited to participate, and Forestville School Board member Andrea Spengler said turnout was strong.

“We had an incredible turnout this year” said Spengler. “We have about 125 students enrolled, which is the most we’ve ever had.”

Of those 125, about 50 are from Forestville, while the rest are from Silver Creek, but all are excited to be in on something. Spengler praised new coach and manager Kaitlin Gage, who has been a welcome addition to the program.

“She has done a great job leading the program,” said Spengler. “She’s very good and very knowledgeable and she’s also very engaging with the kids.”

There are also two assistant coaches, Wayne Hartloff and Amanda Weaver, who both graduated from Forestville as part of the Class of 2014, and have each helped with the program in the past.

“They are doing a great job” she says. “I want to thank them for their time and dedication to the program. It’s a lot to organize. »

Spengler also said they have the help of several volunteers, including parents from both districts, as well as Tom Dempsey, a Forestville math teacher who also served as the boys’ varsity basketball coach this season. “He volunteered to help with the program,” said Spengler.

“He brings tons of experience and knowledge and he’s also been very helpful in recruiting several student-athletes to the Forestville men’s and women’s teams and they’ve all done an amazing job. … This would certainly not be possible without the help of volunteers.

Spengler said those kids volunteering to help meant a lot to the participating children, and vice versa, as each gained valuable experience from the program.

“Kids respond really well to older kids,” said Spengler. “And it’s been really good for the older kids to help out the younger ones.”

Spengler also gave special thanks to Forestville athletic director Scott Hazelton and facilities manager Jim Knoop, who have also been strong supporters of the program. And with all thanks to the volunteers, Spengler said the whole experience gives the children a welcome positive experience.

“It has been a really positive experience for our students and a much needed positive experience,” he said. “Now that masks are optional, it was so nice to see the faces of the children. They are smiling and happy and the joy on their faces watching them learn and play basketball has been wonderful. … The children are so excited when they arrive and when they leave they had a great time. They are super excited and happy to do something.

Spengler said there are many ideas for adding other programs to this, whether it’s six-week programs like basketball or one-day programs, like an incentive program. that they recently hosted. These programs could also be held at different locations to better integrate the Silver Creek and Forestville communities, including Hanover City Park, Forestville Outdoor Basketball Court, and a few other options. Regardless of direction, the Hanover Youth Recreation Program gives children in communities across the city a chance to be active.