The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks announced Monday it will launch its inaugural L.A. City Hoops Challenge next month, with basketball competitions planned at 36 recreation centers across the city.
The department said the competition is intended to promote basketball and physical activity while encouraging residents to connect with their neighborhood recreation centers and communities.
“The LA City Hoops Challenge reflects our commitment to creating opportunities that inspire healthy lifestyles, strengthen community connections, and make recreation accessible to everyone,” Elaine Piha, principal recreation supervisor, said in a statement. “We are excited to launch what we hope will become a lasting tradition that brings people together through the game of basketball while advancing RAP’s vision of `A city where parks bring people together, programs spark growth, and communities thrive.”’
Beginning Sept. 12, participating recreation centers will host local qualifying events with separate male and female divisions in five age groups: 8-10, 11-14, 15-17, 18-49 and 50 and older.
Regional and city championship competitions will be held at designated times beginning at 9 a.m. for the youngest age group and continuing hourly through the 50-and-older division at 1 p.m.
Winners at the city championship will compete for prizes that include two Clippers home-game tickets, personalized jerseys and recognition as Hoops Challenge city champions.
Registration, schedules and tournament rules are available at LAParks.org.