Mountainside Recreation Youth Sports Programs Guide

Soccer, basketball, cheer, T-ball—the Mountainside Recreation Department runs youth sports across every season, and Recreation Assistant Alanna Moriak says the goal is straightforward: kids having fun. "Recreation sports is basically about getting kids together and letting them play sports for fun, not for competition," Moriak said. "We're all about kids having fun. That is our main goal."

Union County Life covers Mountainside community programs and civic engagement opportunities that connect residents across all 21 Union County municipalities.

Fall youth offerings include Micro Soccer, cheer, and T-ball. Winter brings basketball. Summer programming covers swim team, playground camp, flag football, soccer, tennis, and pickleball clinics and camps. Families register through the borough's CivicRec system, making enrollment accessible online.

Micro Soccer, designed for children in pre-kindergarten through second grade, pairs instruction with game play. "We have soccer trainers that come and they help with the parent volunteers teaching soccer skills, and then we actually do a game for the other half of the program," Moriak said. Soccer draws the most participants of any youth sport in the department, followed closely by basketball, both reflecting the sports' popularity with local families.

The Recreation Department works with three partner organizations—Mountainside FC, Mountainside PAL, and U.S. Sports—to expand programming reach. U.S. Sports provides instructors and operates programs, with Recreation handling registration. One recent addition through that partnership is U.S. Sports cheer, which Moriak described as a new option for younger kids exploring the sport.

What makes Mountainside's programs run is volunteer coaches. All basketball and Micro Soccer coaches are volunteers—a commitment that Moriak describes as essential. "We cannot run our programs without volunteer coaches," she said. "All the coaches that are for the basketball teams, for the Micro Soccer, they're all volunteers. So if we don't have a volunteer coach, we can't have a team." To support those volunteers, the Recreation Department offers a free Rutgers Coaching Certification course, delivered via Zoom and running approximately three hours.

Beyond youth sports, the department offers adult seasonal softball, tennis, and pickleball leagues. Residents 55 and older can participate in fitness classes, wellness programs, and recreational activities year-round, ensuring that recreation isn't just for young people but spans lifetimes.

Moriak sees sports as one of the main ways residents connect with Mountainside. "Youth sports is huge for Mountainside. This is how people get involved with the town," she said. "For a family who has just moved here and who is new, has young kids, how they can get involved is volunteering. They can join a sport, join an activity, and that's how they meet people." Sports become the entry point for new families to the community—a way to put down roots, volunteer, and build friendships.

Find more Mountainside community programs, recreational opportunities, and civic news on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What youth sports programs does Mountainside offer?
A: Mountainside Recreation offers fall programs (Micro Soccer, cheer, T-ball), winter basketball, and summer activities (swim team, playground camp, flag football, soccer, tennis, pickleball clinics and camps).

Q: What is Micro Soccer?
A: Micro Soccer is designed for pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade children and combines instruction from soccer trainers with game play, with parent volunteers assisting.

Q: How do I register for Mountainside Recreation programs?
A: Families register through the borough's CivicRec system online.

Q: Are youth sports programs competitive or recreational?
A: Mountainside Recreation sports programs emphasize fun and getting kids together to play, not competition. The department's goal is for kids to have fun and enjoy sports.

Q: Are all coaches paid staff?
A: No. All youth sports coaches are volunteers. The department cannot run programs without volunteer coaches.

Q: Does Mountainside offer coaching training?
A: Yes. The Recreation Department offers a free Rutgers Coaching Certification course delivered via Zoom, running approximately three hours.

Q: What sports do adults participate in?
A: Mountainside offers adult seasonal softball, tennis, and pickleball leagues.

Q: What programs are available for seniors?
A: Residents 55 and older can participate in fitness classes, wellness programs, and recreational activities year-round.

Q: How do residents get involved with the town through sports?
A: According to Recreation Assistant Alanna Moriak, youth sports is a main way residents connect. New families can volunteer as coaches, join a sport, or participate in activities to meet people and become involved.