Young people in Lower Moreland Township have been given the chance to play sports and engage in other activities for the last 70 years, thanks to the Huntingdon Valley Athletic Association.
HVAA began in 1953, and today offers travel and in-house soccer, basketball, baseball and softball.
There are about 2,200 registrations, with some of those youths playing multiple sports.
“We’ve been growing dramatically in the last few years,” said HVAA president Allie O’Brien.
All of those athletes need direction, and HVAA has 130 volunteer coaches, some who coach more than one sport. The organization also relies on volunteers for field preparation, officiating, scorekeeping and clock operation.
HVAA could use more volunteers.
“That is an understatement,” O’Brien said. “It takes a lot.”
19006 recently sat down with O’Brien and the following HVAA volunteer board members: Dave Edwards, facilities; Ana Selamaj, treasurer; Allison DeFortuna, secretary; Mike Shimp, baseball; Laura Arneson, in-house soccer; Cari Chartock, sponsorships/fundraising; Kerrin Wasserstrom, administration; Brad Sorkin, travel soccer; and Eric Kaufman, in-house basketball.
The board oversees sports for kids age 3 through high school seniors.
“The volunteers who are in are all in,” Edwards said. “It’s community. It’s all for the kids.”
Though youth soccer, basketball, baseball and soccer make up the bulk of the organization, HVAA also offers co-ed adult softball, women’s soccer and taekwondo for all ages.
There used to be a Huntingdon Valley American Legion baseball team, and HVAA would welcome its return. HVAA is also looking for someone to oversee the return of its chess program.
Planning is underway for HVAA’s annual fall family festival, set for Oct. 14 at Lower Moreland Park. The day will include moonbounces, face painting and balloon art.
Lower Moreland Park is one of several venues that host practices, games, camps and clinics throughout the year. Others are Valley Center Park (Turf), Red Lion Gym, Lower Moreland High School, Murray Avenue and Pine Road elementary schools and Ridgway Park.
HVAA is able to operate due to registration fees and sponsorships, with some teams reserved for township residents and others open to anyone.
The funding also allows HVAA to distribute three scholarships to graduating high school seniors each year. This year’s winners, all members of the Lower Moreland class of 2023, are Demmi Fox (Thomas Davenport Community Award), Emma Kupper (Emmanuel Collazo Service Award) and Ian Alicea (Steve Silverman Leadership Award).
HVAA encourages young athletes to play more than one sport before deciding whether they want to specialize in one.
“What I love about HVAA are the multiple sports and the amount of opportunities here,” O’Brien said. “I think that’s important.”
The opportunity to play multiple sports was what attracted Selamaj to HVAA after she moved from Northeast Philadelphia when her kids were 12 and 10.
DeFortuna lives in Upper Southampton, but her three daughters have played soccer at HVAA. She describes HVAA as well organized, adding that its positive communication allows young athletes to grow as players and people.
Wasserstrom, who grew up in Abington, has been involved in HVAA for 11 years, even before she had children. She said the adult volunteers form friendships, and so do the athletes.
Shimp cites HVAA’s teamwork, noting the volunteers help each other and the athletes build character playing team sports.
Chartock, too, said teamwork is important in a rather small township of 13,000-plus residents. She said Lower Moreland Township and the School Board are important partners.
Arneson was coached in soccer, basketball and softball by her mom, Terry D’Ascenzo, who now works the concession stand.
“It’s important for me to give back,” Arneson said.
Similarly, Kaufman grew up at HVAA, and his dad coached three sports. He coaches, and hopes his kids follow in his footsteps.
Sorkin, with 15 years on the board, said service to the community runs in his family. His dad, Richard, coached soccer, basketball and baseball at HVAA. Sorkin likes the tradition of HVAA athletes paying it forward as they grow into adulthood.
“All of our kids are becoming the next wave of volunteers,” he said. ••
For more information, visit hvaa.net or go to the Huntingdon Valley Athletic Association pages on Facebook and Instagram.
