Page 95 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2025

Remember when playing sports as a kid was all about having fun, making friends, learning the fundamentals and having a snack after the game? i9 Sports has brought that easygoing approach back to the Coast, offering kids a chance to play, grow and enjoy the game in a positive, low-stress environment.
i9 Sports is a youth sports program that balances competition with fun, and it won’t break the bank. Since coming to the Coast in 2019, the group has grown from around 100 participants to about 500 kids per season, offering a structured, engaging and low- commitment option for parents.
“We want to help kids succeed in life through sports,” said Lamarques Ogans, program director of i9 Sports on the Coast. “We’re not just about teaching the fundamentals of the game – we’re about instilling sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership values.”
Unlike many youth sports leagues that often require near-daily practices and extensive travel commitments, i9 Sports operates on a one-day-a-week model, the kids practice on game days. This makes it an excellent option for busy families who want their children to be active without sacrificing everything else.
“We make sure our programs bring the fun back into youth sports,” Ogans explained. “We offer leagues, camps and clinics for kids ages 3-14 in basketball, flag football, volleyball, baseball and soccer.”
Each sport is offered year-round, with seasonal leagues in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. The organization runs programs at four locations along the Coast: the Gulfport Sportsplex, Pentecostals of the Gulf Coast in Biloxi, the Kroc Center in Biloxi and Ocean Springs High School.
New this year, i9 will launch an all-girls flag football division in Gulfport at the Herbert Wilson Rec Center. Girls have always been welcome in the other flag football teams, but now they’ll have their own division without having to worry about stinky boys.
One of i9 Sports’ key philosophies is equal playing time. Unlike competitive leagues where the best players dominate the field, i9 ensures all kids get time to develop and enjoy the sport.
“If you’re not the fastest or most experienced, in a lot of leagues, SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
you end up sitting on the bench,” Ogans said. “A kid doesn’t learn by sitting on the sideline. That’s why our kids get equal playing time.”
The program also offers specialized clinics for younger children, ages 3-6, designed to introduce them to sports fundamentals before they transition into full leagues. Summer camps, run in partnership with Nike, provide more skill-building opportunities for ages 5-12.
Beyond athletics, i9 Sports places a strong emphasis on character- building. Every week, coaches incorporate a sportsmanship lesson into practices, and players who exemplify that week’s lesson are recognized with an award and a yard sign.
“We’re about more than sports – we’re about building confidence and friendships,” Ogans said. “We take real pride in recognizing and rewarding the kids in our program.”
With flexible pricing options and multiple discount opportunities, the program remains accessible to families seeking a positive, engaging sports experience for their children.
For parents looking for a low-pressure yet rewarding athletic experience for their kids, i9 Sports offers a unique opportunity to play, grow and have fun – all while learning important life lessons along the way.
April 2025 | 95