Come and play!
HUNTERSVILLE — About 100 young adult Catholics equipped with pickleball paddles and volleyballs took over SportsLink, a sports and social club in Huntersville, to participate in the launch of Catholic Sports in the Diocese of Charlotte.
“This is awesome. I didn’t really have a strong Catholic community growing up that I can relate to, so this is going to be great,” said Jeff Kromer, a parishioner from St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte.
Catholic Sports, a volunteer-led nonprofit already active in eight cities, has started its newest chapter in Charlotte. Liz Kenney, a local Catholic, Belmont Abbey graduate, and, of course, a sports enthusiast, launched the chapter. With the help of her sister Sarah and about a dozen friends, Kenney managed to raise money and awareness to start the recreational sport league under a local non-profit.
“Denver started from nothing back in 2012 and now has over 1,200 players. I believe this can be us in about 15 years,” said Kenney. “Even if we are not the ones playing, it will be our kids, our nieces, our nephews.”
Young adults of different skill levels and ages, 18 to 50, came out for the opportunity to share faith, fun and community. For some, it was their first time touching a volleyball, while others reminisced about their glory days playing on college or high school teams.
People interested in the faith or an evening of competitive fun also attended the event with Catholic friends, family or neighbors.
Kenney believes the program helps evangelize and ultimately wins more souls for Christ.
“Charlotte has lots of great opportunities for young adults in regard to prayer meetings and Bible studies. But this is a way to break the ice, have fun face-to-face, and start to get to know each easier,” Kenney said. “I just wanted a different route where people can get together and meet people through sports.”
Kenney approached Bishop Michael Martin with the idea about nine months ago, and he offered his full support.
Franciscan Father Casey Cole and Father Tito Serrano, known for taking to the streets of Uptown Charlotte through their new outreach ministry SEARCH, dropped in, even though Father Casey is recovering from foot surgery and couldn’t play.
Father Tito finds his new Charlotte home much like the young adults volleying balls and swinging paddles all around him.
“Charlotte is much like a teenager, still finding its own individuality, vibe and personality,” Father Tito said. “I really love it, and I love meeting young adults and immersing them in the faith.”
Kenney anticipates having enough people for the first co-ed six-week season of Sunday Sand Volleyball, which starts Sunday, March 8, at Renaissance Park in Charlotte. There will be a casual 6 v. 6 league and a competitive 4 v. 4 league that will face-off from 4 to 6 p.m. every Sunday. Players can sign up individually or with an entire team.
The hope is for another sand volleyball league to start during the summer and add soccer and ultimate frisbee leagues next fall. Down the line, she said, she plans on adding Bible studies.
“Overall, the mission of Catholic Sports is for a lot of young adults within the faith to meet people and not feel isolated,” Kenney said. “Hopefully, they will bring their friends or coworkers that may not be Catholic, and people will learn that Catholics can be a lot of fun. They can ask more questions about the Church and truly learn what we are all about.”
Interested in playing? Sign up at https://bit.ly/4jNnlmd.
— Lisa M. Geraci
