sport
Fall Sports Season Preview: North Augusta Registration Set to Open July 21
Local youth programs prepare for flag football, soccer and cheerleading as Augusta Recreation & Parks readies its annual fall slate.
How we reported this
Registration for North Augusta youth fall sports opens July 21, 2026, covering football, soccer, volleyball and cheerleading for participants ages 4 to 18.
The July date arrives as Augusta Recreation & Parks completes its winter basketball season and shifts focus to the fall calendar that also includes flag football, soccer and cheerleading for children ages 5 to 17. Augusta Recreation & Parks runs three distinct seasons each year, with the fall window emphasizing fundamentals and teamwork across multiple neighborhoods served by the department.
Drive, Chip and Putt Finals Spotlight Local Talent
The April 5, 2026, Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club drew young competitors ages 7 to 15 from six states. Six-year-old Sophia Eagan became the event's youngest qualifier ever, while local native Kipp Madison placed in the top three. The finals underscored Augusta's role in youth golf development at a time when First Tee-Augusta and partner programs continue to expand access.
Earlier in April 2026, Nike partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta to run an interactive clinic that reached more than 4,700 youth across nine counties. The event combined golf instruction with life-skills sessions and removed financial barriers for participants who might otherwise lack equipment or program fees.
University Programs Enter New Conference Cycle
Augusta University's men's basketball team closed its season with 26 wins, the program's best total since 2016. The women's basketball team reached the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game after an upset victory over No. 8 Columbus State. Both teams compete within the Peach Belt Conference, while the university's golf programs began affiliate membership in the West Coast Conference for the 2025-26 season after leaving the Southland Conference.
Augusta University fields 13 NCAA Division II varsity sports, with golf competing at the Division I level. WRDW-TV and Peachtree Sports Network carried selected men's and women's basketball games against USC Aiken during the season, marking the third televised broadcast for the program.
Parents and coaches can visit the Augusta Recreation & Parks website or North Augusta recreation offices beginning July 21 to complete fall registration and select age-appropriate divisions for football, soccer, volleyball and cheerleading.