BENTONVILLE — A new intramural program at Bentonville High School started small, but plans are for it to grow in the coming years.
Ronnie Calva, program director, said several athletic programs have started and more are in the works. Nearly 80 students are participating in flag football, women’s self-defense and Zumba classes. Students will be able to register for lacrosse, wallyball and basketball soon. Intramurals planned for spring include ultimate Frisbee, dodge ball and golf.
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For more information on intramural programs offered at Bentonville High School, visit www.bhsintramurals.com
“My goal is to have 1,000-plus kids participating in this program,” Calva said. He said it could take three or four years to reach that goal.
J.P. Ray, a junior, is playing flag football.
“It has been a lot of fun,” Ray said. “You get to connect with your friends in a different way and you get to meet different people in the school you wouldn’t have talked to before.”
Melanie Ray, J.P.’s mother, said she thinks the program is a great idea.
“It gives the kids a chance to be active without having to be so competitive,” Ray said. “It also gives more kids an opportunity to play sports.”
Kim Garrett, principal, said the first-year program is gaining in interest.
“Just today, a parent shared with me that his son participated in the flag football program and enjoyed it so much that he told his dad that he’s going to sign up for lacrosse even though he is not familiar with lacrosse,” Garrett said. “I’m looking forward to when the flag football championship shirts are given to the winning team and seeing them generate even more excitement.”
Calva said the school is working on partnerships with local businesses and other governmental agencies to provide the programs.
A 3-on-3 soccer program will be held at Bentonville’s Memorial Park. He said school officials may rent space through the city, too.
“The city has been great to work with us,” Calva said.
Wilson Sporting Goods and Sports Equipment donated $10,000 in merchandise to the program in April. The donation included footballs, basketballs, nets, mouthpieces, whistles and other items.
The district is spending $159,000 a year on the program, which includes Calva’s $66,400 salary.
More than 50 clubs offered at the school also fall under the intramural umbrella.
“We are trying to centralize everything,” Calva said. “So students have one place they can go for information.”