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YOUTH SPORTS TESTIMONIALS

“We moved to Lathrop in 2020, and enrolling our kids in Youth Sports here was our very first experience with organized sports. Since then, we’ve tried a few programs—Karate, soccer, camps—but the Junior NBA has definitely been our favorite. What we love most is how well organized everything is and that the focus is truly recreational. Not every child wants or needs to go the competitive route, and having strong recreational leagues gives kids the chance to keep playing, stay active, and simply enjoy the sport they love. Beyond the sports themselves, these programs have helped us feel truly integrated into a community that was new to us. We’ve gotten to know other families, see familiar faces season after season, and build connections that we didn’t find as easily through school. For us, Youth Sports has made Lathrop feel like home.”

by Veronica Jaraba

“The Lathrop youth sports program has been great for my son. He's on his 2nd year of flag football, and he will be starting his 3rd year of Jr. NBA this winter. He has always loved basketball, and Jr. NBA was a great place to start for him. It helped him learn to play in an organized setting, and gave him the confidence to try out for his school team. He made the school team and is all about his sports. Zavanah has been great and helped me navigate the Lathrop rec page to get him registered his first year. My son will remember these teams he's played for through the Lathrop youth sports program for the rest of his life. It's been a great experience and has helped shape my son's sense of self.”

by Andrew Kusske

“What I enjoy from the Lathrop Parks and Recreation Youth Sports League/Programs. Is that I get to enjoy seeing my son and daughter take part in sports and allow me to coach them. Just a father enjoying his time with his kids and making memories.”

by Coach Juan Barragan

"I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for Coach Allan from the Jr NBA program. From the very beginning, Coach Allan has been a truly positive influence—not just on the court, but in the way he interacted with all the kids, especially my son, Jose. Jose is on the autism spectrum, and I know that he can sometimes present unique challenges in group settings. But Coach Allan never saw that as a limitation. From day one, he showed an incredible amount of patience, understanding, and care. Most importantly, he treated Jose with the same respect and expectations as every other child, while still giving him the extra support he needed. That balance meant the world to me. Coach Allan created a supportive environment where Jose felt safe to grow, make mistakes, and keep trying. His encouraging attitude and belief in every child’s potential made a huge difference in Jose’s confidence—not just in basketball, but in himself. What truly stood out was Coach Allan’s passion for teaching and mentoring. He not only helped Jose learn the fundamentals of the game, but also taught him life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and respect. It's rare to find a coach who combines structure with so much heart, and I feel incredibly grateful that Jose had the chance to learn from someone like him. Thank you, Coach Allan, for your time, effort, and for seeing every child—especially Jose—for who they are and what they’re capable of. You've made a lasting impact on our lives, and we will always be thankful for this experience.”

by Jenae Alvarado