Roseville Adult Sports Leagues Combine Fitness, Friendship

When Leo Stewart joined Roseville’s adult volleyball league, he was just hoping to burn a few calories. He never expected to meet his future wife.

“It was not only a fun way to get exercise, I met some great people. In fact, one of my teammates fixed me up on a blind date with the woman I later married,” Stewart said. “I am not saying you will meet your future spouse, but it is definitely a good way to make new friends.”

Many residents, like Stewart, join the city’s adult sports leagues as a workout, but take away much more. In 2010, more than 14,000 people participated in one of the 980 teams, which make up the sports program, according to Kate Miller, director of the adult sports programs for the .

The adult sports leagues are part of the and Miller said the adult sports program continues to grow.

“It is nice to see a lot of involvement from the community,” Miller said. “Even as the economy declined, we still saw an increase in participation.”

Leagues include flag football, soccer, softball, basketball and volleyball. Flag football and basketball include men’s leagues only. Softball, volleyball and soccer all have separate men’s and women’s leagues, as well as a coed league. Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to play.

Frank O’Malley of Roseville participates in the basketball leagues as a way to stay fit.

“I hate to workout, but I enjoy playing a team sport like basketball,” O’Malley said. “It is a good way to get some exercise and stay in shape. I am 47 years old and there are players out there older than me still playing hoops.”

Depending on the division, league play can be intense and provide a tough workout. League divisions include recreational or beginner and advanced or competitive. Miller said soccer and basketball probably provide the toughest workouts.

Staying fit is not the only benefit of participating in the Roseville adult sports program.

“We have coworkers who sign up as a team, families and church groups,” Miller said. “For a lot of our participants, it is really more of a social thing.”

Being part of one of the sports teams is a way for coworkers to get out of the office and have fun together. Not only does it help build teamwork and boost moral, it can be a way to socialize with fellow employees outside of work.

The sports leagues run year-round, with new seasons starting almost every two months, according to Miller. A season consists of seven games plus the playoff games. The cost varies depending on the sport and division. Fees range from $250 to about $600 a season per team. Interested players who are not part of a team can sign up on the free agent list, which is kept for each sport. Team managers looking for more players can contact the adult sports league program and contact players from the list to join their team. Participates do not have to be a resident of Roseville to play.

For more information, call the Roseville Parks and Recreation Department at 916-774-5505, or visit the city’s website at www.roseville.ca.us/.

Get signed up for summer adult sports:

• Co-ed outdoor soccer drop-in: 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays at
• Basketball registration deadline is July 12
• Volleyball registration deadline is July 12
• Soccer registration deadline is July 1 for season starting in July