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With the school year in full swing, many are looking toward athletics at George Rogers Clark High School and Robert D. Campbell Junior High School. 

However, there’s another place to look as well. 

Clark County Youth Athletics continues its season, garnering support as summer turns to fall. 

“We were established in 2020. I coached the previous organization that was here, which was a Civitan organization,” said Jimmy Day, president and founder of Clark County Youth Athletics (CCYA). 

Speaking in further detail, Day—a contractor and member of George Rogers Clark High School’s 1991 state championship-winning squad—stated that, having played youth football growing up, he found it important to keep the game going for youth when the Civitan organization stopped offering football due to aging members and other factors. 

“I got on social media and started saying we’re going to meet down at the pavilion at Lykins Park,” he said. “There [were] some other [people] that showed up, and we all came together and started CCYA.” 

It wouldn’t take long before CCYA found they were not alone in their desire to see youth engage in the game of football. 

They quickly found teams from Montgomery and Estill County willing to play in competitions. 

Presently, the league plays in what’s referred to as the 127 Conference, based in Anderson County.

Players compete in leagues for ages four to six, seven to nine, and ten to twelve, with both recreation and travel ball available.

While four- to six-year-old groups play flag football, others allow tackle football. 

Clark County Youth Athletics participates against teams from various areas – including Jessamine County, Frankfort, and Somerset. 

The league also has its own cheerleading squad, which celebrates third—through fourth-grade and fifth—through sixth-grade teams. 

“I first became a member of CCYA the year it opened, not as a member but as a football mom,” said Jessica Hopper, a nurse and travel cheer coordinator for CCYA. “I have a history as a cheerleader…the coaches at that time [said], ‘Hey, you used to cheer. Do you want to come help us?’ I said, ‘Sure, why not?!’” 

In 2023’s Battle in Rocky Top cheerleading competition, the team finished fourth in their category. 

“I’m incredibly proud of them,” Hopper said. “[It was] the first time any team from Clark County [has] ever been down there.” 

Day acknowledged that he hopes for the organization to receive community support. 

“It’s not like we need a parade in our names, but…if I could get a message out there, it [would be]…[to] be a part of CCYA,” he said. 

The 501(c)(3) organization states it wants to continue imparting lessons to players, which it has done by creating a “Good Guy Club” and other programs. 

“You never quit. All you need is an opportunity,” Day said. “Those are the things that we want to teach kids.”