Page 46 - FEB 2019 proof 4 - The Castle Pines Connection

46 CastlePinesConnection.com
Then
... AND NOW:
Castle Pines Athletics looks back at 10 years with gratitude
It really is true – time ies when you’re having fun! While The Castle Pines Connection celebrates 10 years, so does another local business, Castle Pines Athletics (CPA). We share a birthday with this recreational youth sports program that has served our community faithfully for the past decade.
Designed for children ages 3 to 12, and practicing and playing in Castle Pines community parks, CPA has had a lasting impact on many young lives. Now, 10 years later, more than 8,700 children have participated in soccer, soccer tots, baseball, T-ball, NFL ag football, basketball and summer camps. That is a lot of running, throwing, and catching. It also represents fun had and friendships formed.
Lane Roberts, owner and director of CPA, credits the start of the program to her
son, Jack. “We were making the drive home from a T-ball game and he asked why he couldn’t play ball at the empty neighborhood park with his friends.”
Neighborhood kids enthusiastically participated in Castle Pines Athletics at one of the Castle Pines community parks.
Roberts saw the need her son identi ed and the league slogan was born, “Play at Home.”
Roberts expounded on the program, “Recreational sports should not be complicated. Children bene t by playing locally because they get to play with their neighbors, classmates, and friends. We accommodate children with special needs, welcome rst-time players regardless of
skill level, honor friend and coach requests, and jump through hoops to make it work for each child’s schedule,” said Roberts. “Every child is welcome in this program.”
Re ecting back she says, “I am truly humbled and grateful for the ongoing support the community has given Castle Pines Athletics for the past
10 years. There are so many good families in the community who truly care about helping us bring sports to the community. We have teams that stay together year-after-year, and this league helps build
long-lasting friendships,” Roberts said.
It is clear that the real heroes are the parents and coaches. Roberts stated, “Hundreds
of local dads and moms have donated
their time throughout the past 10 years to coach children in this program.” She tells how there have been amazing coaches throughout the years, many of whom
have served, sacri ced, encouraged and ultimately, cared. Roberts also extended her gratitude to the local businesses who sponsor the program. To learn more about CPA, visit www.castlepinesathletics.com.
By Steve Whitlock; photo courtesy of Castle Pines Athletics