It’s spring, and with that comes the annual tradition of Saturday morning rec club soccer games at athletic complexes across the county. Sign-ups for Hart, Pentwater, Shelby and Walkerville have already taken place, with practices underway now. Below, find out more if you're interested in attending a game, supporting your local recreation program (financial donations are always welcome), or volunteering.
The Hart Rec Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to offer the following sports to children living in the Hart Public School district: basketball, baseball/softball, cheer, football and soccer. Registration is complete for the spring soccer season. Please visit their website, www.hartrec.com to create an account and register children for upcoming summer and fall sports opportunities.
Games will be held every Saturday from April 18 to May 30 (with no games Memorial Day weekend) at the Norman E. Kuhne Recreation Park located at 3986 N. Oceana Dr. in Hart.
Hart Rec Club board meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, all year long, starting at 6 p.m. at Diman Wolf Early Childhood Center, 306 Johnson St. in Hart. The Hart Rec Board is led by Victoria Gutierrez, Chairperson; Tim Hertzler, Vice-Chairperson (Hart Public Schools); Jill Tanis, Secretary (Hart Township); Rob Splane, Treasurer (At Large 1); Adam Sinclair (At Large 2); Matthew Fitch (At Large 3); and Laurie Rose (At Large 4). Other board members include Roberta Cooke, Joanne Hambright, Jonathan Hughart, Kyle Oomen and Jessica Rudolph.
Individual sports directors include: Mike Rudolf - boys basketball; Eva Flores - girls basketball; Janessa Kelley - soccer; Mistee Saunders - summer ball; Scott Umstead - football; and Megan Foster - cheer.
The Pentwater Rec Club, now under the direction of the Pentwater Public Schools, offers children the opportunity to participate in spring soccer, summer baseball and softball, and winter boys and girls basketball. Registration packets for each sport are sent home with Pentwater students, however, anyone wanting to register who is not currently a student is welcome to stop by the school for one.
“When the conversation about having the school run the program first came about, I think it was a natural choice. It is a change for sure. Even when I was a kid, the rec program was run through the village, but with the schools' facilities being used and the opportunity to start fresh, it's an exciting time for youth sports in Pentwater. It is important for us to build up our children not only athletically and with a sense of sportsmanship, (but also to) keep the youth in our rec programs to build a stronger community,” Pentwater School Superintendent Craig Barter said.
To learn more about Pentwater’s spring soccer season, please visit the school’s website at pentwaterschools.net or Pentwater Public Schools on Facebook.
The Shelby Rec programs offer a variety of athletic opportunities for all area youth. This year the program is back under the direction of the club’s former director, Damien Omness. Please visit the club’s Facebook page at “Shelby Rec Club” for more information and program updates.
Spring soccer games will be held beginning Saturday, April 18, at the Shelby Township Community Park located at 4101 Buchanan Rd. in Shelby, just north and east of the village.
The Walkerville Rec Club Program received their 501(c)(3) status in September of 2025 and is led by a board with Deanna Bajtka as president. Any Pre-K through 8th grade student is welcome to join the Walkerville Rec Club.
Current sports being offered include cheer (grades 1st-5th) during basketball season, girls basketball (grades 3rd-5th), boys basketball (grades 3rd-5th), soccer (co-ed) (grades PK-5th) and summer ball (co-ed) (grades PK-8th).
“Soccer games are coordinated by the Hart Rec Club, but other than that, the Walkerville Rec Club is its own entity, with its own board, Facebook page and operating procedures,” said Bajtka.
For more information about Walkerville’s recreation program, please visit “Walkerville Youth Recreation Sports” on Facebook.
At present, Hesperia does not have an active recreation program. However, anyone with questions or interest in helping should reach out via the “Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce” Facebook page or by emailing hacc1866@gmail.com.
