New youth sports leagues coming to Panama City Beach Sports Complex

Panama City Beach youth can hit the turf running this spring with a football league, a lacrosse league, and even a soccer league.

Michael Booini, the marketing manager for the Panama City Beach Sports Complex said, "It's something that if we can get kids involved with from a young age and teach them that passion and excitement, it's going to grow with them for the rest of their lives."

Booini says the new sports leagues are not only providing a new opportunity for area children but their parents too.

"The focus right now is the Start Smart program, which is designed for people to teach their kids how to play. There is a lot of emphasis on parent involvement, so essentially as the mom and dad you would be coaching your kids," said Booini.

The leagues are for kids ages 3-7 and officials say it could help them later in life.

Booini added, "There are countless studies that will explain how kids who take part in youth sports at a young age do actually go on to be good team players, they're more confident, and it just serves them well even academically as well."

Booini also says they're not only helping kids grow as athletes, but the leagues are also helping the local economy grow.

"So, if we can bring in those events that have 200 or 300 teams take part and each of those teams have four people in their families, that's heads in beds, that's people who need a restaurant to eat at, fill up their car with gas, go grocery shopping. It really does help the entire community," said Booini

The deadline to register is February 27.

To register for the youth leagues or check out the adult leagues for the Spring click