History
In the early 1980s, a few key community leaders met to discuss the future of Pottstown sports. Their hope was to connect the police and local businesses within Pottstown with the youth by providing athletic and mentoring programs. The objective: to get local children engaged in activities that were healthy and motivating.
On September 9, 1985 Pottstown Area PAL was registered as a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization and became a member of National PAL. The home office moved several times before finding its current home at 146 King Street in Pottstown.
The sports offered by Pottstown Area PAL in its opening years were swimming, dance/cheerleading, and basketball. Tackle football was added shortly thereafter, which was followed by the addition of dek hockey, baseball, and soccer in the mid-1990s. Flag football was added in the mid-2000s, and track in 2020. Although we do not currently offer swimming, soccer or basketball programs, they are a valued piece of our organizational history. Over 650 individual children participated in 2019.
Our tackle football effort has seen great success over the decades, with our Patriots (now Trojans) winning National Championships at the PeeWee level of Pop Warner in 1998. Our dek hockey program has grown to become the largest intramural dek (or ball) hockey league in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Our wrestling program has graduated children that have gone to state and national tournaments, and our baseball teams have won countless tournaments over the years. Cheerleading has continued to prosper and develop for over 30 years, most recently excelling at ICFL Cheer-Offs.
Pottstown Area PAL operates under the direction of an Executive Director, who is governed by an Executive Board. Our Executive Board members come from various backgrounds and experience, all using their unique talents to guide the organization to greater heights. Our organization impacts youth and families all over the Tri-County area - Pottstown, Pottsgrove, Boyertown, Royersford, Limerick, Spring City, Exeter, Collegeville, Spring-Ford, and more.
As an all-volunteer organization, we take heart in the fact that so many families continue to come back to our programs, not just to participate, but to volunteer as well. There are currently over 90 volunteers that help us operate our programs and serve as mentors. The compassion and selflessness of these volunteers, alongside the steadfast support of local businesses and donors, allow us to continue our mission.
