Competitive Sports

7th and 8th grade students (and in some cases 6th grade students) have the opportunity to participate at a COMPETITIVE level against other public middle schools in the 210 League in San Gabriel Valley.

Try-Outs Expectations and Eligibility
Athletics Handbook (Program Goals and Objectives)
Rules & Expectations

Sports and teams offered are listed below with the grades that can participate at SPMS.  In addition to the teams that participate in the 210 League, SPMS strives to provide additional opportunities for students to compete outside of the 210 League.  However, we cannot always offer all of these opportunities every year due to budget and coach availability.  These additional teams are considered “practice” teams, as games are not guaranteed but are arranged by individual schools and coaches if possible.

Subscribe to our newsletter and check the Boosters calendar for tryouts schedules as seasons approach.  See more information about each sport at the bottom of this page.

Required Forms

These forms are to be completed ONLY if your student is offered a spot on a team.

NEW IN 2023-2024:

      • Medical Forms are no longer required.   Parents will provide waiver, risk acknowledgement, and pertinent medical information on the form below.
      • We are not requesting driver information or clearing approved parent drivers.  Boosters will attempt to raise enough funds to provide bus transportation to as many away games as possible. Parents may be asked to independently arrange and be responsible for transportation to away games.

1) Sports Agreement & Permission Form  – DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM UNTIL YOU HAVE TRIED OUT AND BEEN OFFERED A SPOT ON A TEAM.

      • You will complete this form EACH SEASON if your child competes in multiple sports.
      • Your student will need to sign this form, so make sure he/she is present when you are completing it.  

2) Become a Booster and/or Donate   All families involved in competitive sports are  strongly encouraged to become a Booster. If you already joined, but have the means to donate more, please do!

More Information About Sports

Competitive Teams Schedule

The 210 League Team schedule is subject to change.  We try to keep the Boosters calendar updated, and updates are communicated through the daily bulletin announcements (encourage your child to listen) and flyers posted around school.  The daily student bulletin is also posted online. Students with questions can also see the Athletic Director. Parents can stay up-to- date by reading school communications and subscribing to the Athletic Booster Club newsletter. 

Uniforms

The Booster club pays for uniforms for our competitive teams.  Athletes must return their washed uniforms to their coach or PE teacher at the end of the season.  Lost or damaged uniforms will incur a replacement fee of $35.

How Grades for JV & Varsity Are Determined

The 210 League does not regulate which grades are allowed to compete on Varsity and JV teams.  Each school decides their policy.  Some schools, like La Canada and Oak Ave, follow the same model as SPMS. Others allow all students, including 6th graders, to try out for Varsity or JV.  We recognize that there are pros and cons to both models, but feel that ours provides the best possible experience for as many students as possible each year as they approach high school.  Cross Country and Track & Field, which accommodate larger teams, are open to 6th graders.

How Middle School Sports Are Funded & Run

Middle school sports in our area are not funded or staffed at the same level as high school sports.  Most programs are primarily funded by volunteer boosters organizations such as ours. Part-time athletic directors staff and run the programs and the 210 League.  Some schools in the 210 League do not even have the ability to field teams for all sports every year, and often league schedules (and therefore tryouts schedules) come together last-minute due to many factors beyond our control–such as coach recruiting, coach availability and scheduling, 210 league scheduling, and very little time between seasons, especially during the first half of the year.  We ask that parents and athletes approach participating with flexibility and understanding.

About the 210 League

The “210 League” is a collection of San Gabriel Valley schools that have organized themselves to form a league in which middle schools can participate. This league is loosely based on the Rio Hondo League in which SPHS participates.  Middle schools are not regulated by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).  

EAST 210 LEAGUE SCHOOLS:
Clifton Middle School
Foothills Middle School
Dana Middle School
Santa Fe Middle School
First Ave. Middle School

WEST 210 LEAGUE SCHOOLS:
Huntington Middle School
Jefferson Middle School
La Canada Middle School
Oak Ave. Middle School
South Pasadena Middle School

More About Each Sport:

Girls Lacrosse:
This sport is currently part of our intramurals program.  Practices begin in late August/early September.  Participation may be first-come-first-serve or by tryout as determined by interest.  Since this is not a 210-league sport, games are arranged by individual schools and coaches.

Coed Flag Football:
Tryouts will be in late August/early September.  Boys and girls in 7th and 8th grade can participate.  Season starts early/mid September and runs through the last week of October.  About 18 athletes will be chosen for each team.

Girls Volleyball:
Tryouts will be in late August/early September. Girls in 7th and 8th grades can participate.  Season starts early/mid September and runs through the last week of October.

Coed Cross Country:
Practices start after labor day.  Boys and girls in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades can participate. There are no tryouts. Cuts will only be made based on effort and level of committement if necessary. Meets include the Mt. Sac Invitational in mid-October and the League Finals in early/mid November.

Boys & Girls Basketball:
Tryouts for girls and boys will be in late October/early November.  Boys and girls in 7th and 8th grades can participate. Season begins in mid-November and ends before winter break. The 210 league prefers to complete the season before winter break, which means it needs to begin almost immediately after the early fall sports, leaving very little time for tryouts and practices before games start.

Coed Tennis:
Tryouts will be in late October/early November. Boys and girls in 7th and 8th grades can participate. Since this is not a 210-league sport, games are arranged by individual schools and coaches. We strive to field 2 teams if coaching is available, with one team playing competitively and the other a “practice/JV team.”

Boys & Girls Soccer:
Tryouts will be either immediately before or immediately after winter break depending on coach availability. Boys and girls in 7th and 8th grades can participate. Season will begin in late January and run through early March. The 210 League only supports one (varsity) soccer team. 7th and 8th graders are invited to try out. We strive to field an additional practice (JV) team if coaching is available. Since the Practice (JV) team is not a 210-league sport, games are not guaranteed but are arranged by individual schools and coaches if possible.

Boys Volleyball:
Tryouts will be in early March. Season will begin in mid-march and run through late April. The 210 League only supports one (varsity) boys volleyball team. 7th and 8th graders are invited to try out. We strive to field an additional practice (JV) team if coaching is available. Since the Practice (JV) team is not a 210-league sport, games are not guaranteed but are arranged by individual schools and coaches if possible.

Coed Track & Field:
Practices start in mid-March. Boys and girls in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades can participate. There are no tryouts. Cuts will only be made based on effort and level of commitment if necessary. The season begins in late March and completes in early May.