Introducing: Lower School Sports

Building on the success of our Middle School athletics, this new after-school program offers sports instruction and skill-building for students in grades 3–5.  

In the form of mini-courses, Falcons Rising offers instruction in lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, rock-climbing, baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, and soccer — sports that become competitive options when the students reach Middle School. 

According to Athletics Director Carrie Boyce, “I truly believe when we approach youth sports the right way, it reinforces the values we want for our students: discovery,
authenticity, and community. Athletics complement our curriculum, and as it is with academics, our students build and perfect skills that they will take to the next level.”

It only seems natural, then, that Middle School athletes wanted to share their skills with their future teammates, and have jumped into co-coaching with enthusiasm and optimism.  

Yoobin Perry ’27 started at Foote as a kindergartner. Now in eighth grade, he has competed for Foote in cross-country, basketball, and lacrosse. 

“I remember what it was like being a little kid, and I could not wait until sixth-grade year so I could start basketball,” he recalled. “When I learned that these kids get the opportunity to experience that even earlier, I was really hyped, and I just really wanted to be a part of that experience for the younger kids.”

Yoobin works with the basketball coaches to teach fundamentals and plays, but also how to have fun with the sport, even showing them some trickier moves that he’s worked to perfect. 

He said, “I feel really great that, especially in basketball, you can bring your own play style. And I'm so glad that I get to be a part of how the kids create their own style of play.”

Now when he walks to the “other side” of campus, Yoobin said, he’s so excited to recognize the Lower School students he’s worked with. And they recognize him, too. When shooting around in the gym with his friends, Yoobin is not only recognized by his Lower School athletes, but sometimes they want to jump in the game, too. 

“It's a great way to spend a little bit of time in your day. It's fun to see these kids growing, learning, and improving,” he reflected. He predicts that Falcons Rising will be a boon to the Middle School athletics program, but he sees its potential beyond that. “It doesn’t just help them play at the varsity level, it helps them play at whatever level they want to play. It’s just helping them on their journey through athletics.”