Write a commentThe Lake Effect Homeschool Association (LEHA), a Christian homeschool sports association, provides competitive athletic opportunities to area homeschooling families via the Port City Royals sports teams.
They seek to promote competition in a healthy environment that stresses teamwork, skill development, and honorable sportsmanship.
The program began in 2004, after Southwest Christian School (SCS), in Southwest Oswego, discontinued its Homeschool Extension Program. Before that, homeschooling families were able to compete on the SCS teams. The benefit is that now all homeschooling families may participate in the Royals, regardless of affiliation to any particular homeschooling organization or co-op.
Presently, the Royals compete in the Empire State Christian Athletic League (ESCAL), made up of small Christian schools and homeschool sports teams, in central New York.
The Royals soccer team just finished up their 2023 regular season. Their girls’ team has finished the regular season in 2nd place in the league, with a record of 6 wins, 3 losses,and 1 tie; the boys’ team currently holds 1st place, with a record of 7 wins and 3 ties, but are awaiting the results of a match later this week between two other teams to see if they’ll finish as the regular season champions. Both teams will host their respective playoff games next week, hoping to make it to the Finals on Saturday, October 28th!
The Royals' sports teams function because of the cooperation of all of the families. They take to heart the saying, "Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something." They assist one another by coaching, car-pooling, working the concession stand, and a variety of other tasks to help the teams function as a wholly volunteer organization. The teams have truly become a family of families.
While the Royals are wrapping up their soccer season, the basketball and volleyball seasons are still to come. All teams are single gender and open to players in 6th-12th grade. The Royals use certified officials at contests, and carry liability insurance for all practice and home fields.
Interested in learning more? Contact the Athletic Director, Cindy Plyter, at portcityroyals@gmail.com, or visit https://www.homeschool-life.com/3864/.
