ZUNI, N.M. (Oct. 22, 2026) — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project wrapped up its fall sports season this month, bringing together 152 young athletes and 26 community coaches for seven weeks of soccer and flag football. The leagues gave participating children opportunities to develop their athletic skills, build friendships and discover the rewards of being part of a team.
This season included 67 children in flag football, 47 in the local soccer league and 38 in the Gallup traveling soccer league. Practices and local games took place at Ho’n A:wan Park, and the traveling teams competed against other youth soccer teams in Gallup, New Mexico.
“We had our challenges early on, but we overcame them,” said Tyler Sice, ZYEP’s physical activity coordinator, noting that registration numbers were lower than expected for both participants and coaches. “We focused on the quality of our participants’ experience. Teams showed up, played hard and made friends along the way.”
The local soccer program began with four teams for children under age 6 and four for those under age 8, while the traveling program included under-10, under-12 and middle school divisions. Flag football featured three age divisions, with four teams for children ages 6-7, four teams for ages 8-10 and two teams for ages 11-12.
When attendance proved inconsistent among the youngest soccer players, staff decided to combine the four teams for children under age 6 into two, allowing the youngest players to continue practicing and playing together.
Sice said the these divisions are important because they introduce children to organized sports, sometimes for the first time. At that age, becoming more comfortable on the field, learning basic skills and enjoying the game are significant accomplishments.
Meanwhile, community coaches developed their own skills as they encouraged their young players. One coach, who worked in both the soccer and flag football leagues, recalled the “enthusiastic attitudes of the new, up-and-coming athletes” and the silly nicknames older players invented for themselves.
For middle school soccer coach Ryann C., the fall season began with some uncertainty. She initially worried that she might not have the skills she needed to teach older players, but those concerns faded as she got to know the team.
“As time went on, it became so easy to show up for these kids,” she said. “They showed me time and time again that they care about their development in the sport and that they’re willing to work hard, compete and have fun.”
Ryann said she watched beginners become more confident in their abilities while experienced players challenged their newer teammates to improve. Over time, they learned to work together.
“I am so happy to have had the opportunity to coach with my head coach, Garriett Edaakie,” she added. “We both want what’s best for the kiddos.”
In ZYEP’s postseason surveys, 97% of flag football parents and guardians reported that their children had fun, improved their self-confidence, became more physically active and saw improvements in their overall health. Another 91% said the league helped their children make new friends.
The soccer surveys showed similarly positive results. All responding parents and guardians agreed that their children had fun, gained confidence, became more active and experienced health improvements. More than 95% said the league helped their children make new friends.
“My son says he loves soccer and wishes it was not ending,” one parent said. “We will be looking forward to more activities!”
Another parent reported that their child’s soccer skills had improved tremendously over the course of the season, and a third said they appreciated the opportunity for young players to learn the sport and build friendships.
Flag football families shared similar observations. One parent described the league as a “positive way to stay active and socialize,” while another said it helped their son learn to play with teammates.
The young athletes offered a few of their own highlights. Soccer players said they liked running, kicking the ball and spending time with friends; flag football participants said they enjoyed running, catching passes and competing against other teams.
Sice said many children wished the season were longer, and he hopes their experiences will encourage them to keep playing.
“We will continue to make our sports leagues fun and exciting,” he said. “We want to give the youth opportunities to try a sport, enjoy it and hopefully continue playing into adulthood.”
ZYEP’s Youth Sport initiative serves more than 500 youth annually through its basketball, soccer, flag football and T-ball leagues. It is made possible with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the New Mexico Department of Health’s Healthy Kids Healthy Communities program.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09).
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
