The Douglas School Board’s decision to eliminate junior high athletics this year from Ray Borane and Paul Huber Middle School has resulted in a significant jump in not only the local youth soccer league but also the football/cheer squads as well.

Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch Coaches for the Douglas Youth Soccer League exchange paperwork during their annual draft last week at the Douglas Recreation Center. The elimination of the junior high sports program has sparked a significant jump in the local soccer and football/cheer leagues. Both leagues are maxed out and have kids on waiting lists.

Douglas’ former Athletic Director Randy Walker and current A.D. Dan Bates said last week the discussion to eliminate junior high athletics was discussed prior to school getting out last year.

“This was all due to state budget cuts,” Walker said. “Every district had to cut a certain percentage.”

Not only was junior high athletics cut but a number of teachers aides also lost their jobs which Walker feels is far more significant than losing junior high athletics.

“Cutting out sports seems almost trivial compared to people losing their jobs,” he said.

As a result of cuts 10 sports with an estimated 500-600 student ahletes were affected by the cuts.

How long the elimination of the junior high athletics remains is up to the new superintendent Sheila Rogers who was hired after the board made its initial decision to eliminate the athletic programs Walker said.

Both Walker and Bates add there still could be intramural sports but that’s up to each individual principal at each school.

Bates said Douglas High School lowered its athletic participation fees from $50 down to $10 but DHS athletes must now pay for their own meals after games.

By not paying for meals Walker estimates the district will save $20-30,000 and approximately $60-70,000 will be saved by the elimination of junior high athletics.

Numerous parents locally expressed their displeasure over the elimination of the junior high sports. None of them would speak on the record with the Douglas Dispatch.

As a result of the elimination of junior high sports both fall leagues are seeing record numbers this year.

Ken Nelson, President of the Douglas Charger Football/Cheer League said his numbers are up 16 percent.

“We currently have 124 football players and 70 cheerleaders,” he said. “I expect next year to even be larger.”

Nelson said because of equipment issues there have been a number of kids turned away this season and several that are on a waiting list.

The Douglas Youth Soccer League had a final registration Aug. 7 that brought in 75 additional players; many of whom would be playing junior high school had it not been eliminated.

Soccer League President Frank Montoya said his numbers are way up from last year when he had 32 teams to 52 now and an estimated 425 kids participating.

The lack of coaches for those 52 teams brought the total number of teams down to 48 with the same number of kids however meaning larger teams.

“I’m turning away at least 10-15 kids daily” Montoya said. “I just don’t have the coaches �- or volunteers. If I picked up 20 volunteers tomorrow we’d probably still be short. �- I don’t think anybody expected it to be like this.”

Walker and Bates say what is currently happening in Douglas has been happening around the state and the rest of the U.S. for quite a while.

“We’ve been pretty fortunate,” Walker said. “Sierra Vista closed Apache Middle School as a result of the state budget cuts. �- They combined both schools. Yes they’re still having sports but its also one less school which means fewer kids may be playing.”

Both Nelson and Montoya are trying to get as many games possible crammed into a certain time frame.

Both the football and soccer leagues are expected to have their first games Sept. 11.

Montoya announced he will be having a day long event Sept. 11 which will not only include the opening ceremonies but the Elks Soccer Shootout, actual AYSO games as well as their annual carne asada fundraiser.

Nelson said he is waiting on the county to release its schedule.

“I know we’ll be playing somewhere,” he said. “I’m just not sure if we’ll be at home or on the road.”

Both seasons are expected to run through mid-November.