BAYS Prepares Local Athletes For Success And Sportsmanship

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Broadneck Area Youth Sports (BAYS) President Stacie Oliver takes a great deal of pride in having a guiding hand in the success of Broadneck High School’s athletic teams over the years.

“We have a very close relationship with Broadneck High School, and their coaches will offer clinics and camps to help with our development of our athletes,” Oliver said. “Our young athletes will go to the high school games wearing their BAYS T-shirts and root for the players who were at their camps as instructors.”

That relationship between the BAYS and Broadneck High School is evident as some of the Bruins’ state championship field hockey teams have remarked that playing together for so many years in the BAYS program helped their chemistry in achieving a state championship and undefeated season.

“We have over 2,500 kids playing one or more sports with our organization,” Oliver said. “We’re a volunteer-run organization with outstanding community involvement.”

Oliver said getting fields and gyms are her toughest tasks. She has made great relationships with staff members from the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks during her 15 years with the BAYS, though.

“It’s a challenge for the entire county to find facilities to practice on, they are at a premium, but we continue to work with Parks and Rec and to be creative,” Oliver said.

BAYS utilizes fields at Broadneck High School, Severn River and Magothy River middle schools, as well as Broadneck, Mago Vista and Browns Woods parks.

Oliver is also proud to have started a relationship with the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis to offer the first indoor field hockey program in the county.

BAYS offers six sports to Arnold residents: soccer, field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball and triathlete. The organization will add ultimate Frisbee this summer.

Oliver played numerous sports growing up and knows the value of being part of a team and the life lessons learned.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being part of a team and gaining confidence in myself as well as communication skills, assertiveness and sportsmanship,” Oliver said. “It also enables you to gain new friendships and take pride in your community.”

Oliver recalls a military family with a child they said was shy from moving around so often.

“They came back after a few practices and said their child was included in the team’s off-the-field activities and she loved being part of her new community and new friends,” Oliver said.

Oliver is also commissioner of the field hockey program and enjoys seeing the success of Broadneck’s field hockey program and being ranked No. 1 in the state.

“To be part of the youth sports program that helps our athletes develop their skills and be part of a championship team is awesome,” Oliver said. “It’s truly a labor of love.”

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