About Us
Who is Family Sports League?
Family Sports League was founded with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide high-quality youth athletics without overwhelming family schedules.
Shane Lowther, a native of Elkview, WV, experienced firsthand the challenges of balancing youth sports with family life. With two sons active in athletics, he saw how demanding schedules could disrupt valuable family time. As a business owner connected with many families facing the same struggle, Shane was driven by two key convictions: “There has to be a better way.” and “Families want to enjoy more free time without sacrificing their children’s passion for sports.”
His search for a solution led him to the "Upward" program, an elementary-age sports model with limited practices and games.
Seeing its success, Shane envisioned adapting this approach for middle and high school students.
To bring this vision to life, he partnered with longtime friend and fellow Elkview native, David Hays.
As a former coach and years of experience of working with youth and families, David shared Shane’s enthusiasm for creating a balanced approach to youth athletics.
Together, they launched Family Sports League—an organization committed to providing an exceptional sports experience without overwhelming family schedules. Shane and Dave continue to refine and expand their programs, ensuring that families can enjoy the benefits of youth sports while
maintaining a balanced and fulfilling home life.
What Makes Us Different?
This is one of our favorite questions to answer when talking with the community. Out of the gate, Family Sports League seeks a family-friendly service starting with ONE PRACTICE and ONE GAME per week during the season for every sport. Of course, this frees up family schedules to do more, or less as they choose.
Playing Time
One of our most important convictions is guaranteed playing time for all of our players. There is a process for this in our league policies and in our training for coaches without sacrificing competition. We want every player to have a great experience, and it starts with them playing the game... that's why families sign up, and we strive to make it happen.
Central HUB
We also make Game Day less stressful for the whole family. Starting with our Central HUB location, all teams within a division will be operating in the same facility. What that means is... EVERY GAME IS A HOME GAME! This will save your family time and money by eliminating hours of travel throughout the season. But don't worry, there are still home and away uniforms with schedules identifying the colors a team wears each week. We don't look to cut corners here because our families deserve the best.
Also, families (and particularly parents), are under no obligation to work concessions or sell tickets at the door. They can simply show up, watch the game and support their child guilt free.
However, all positions during game day serve as employment opportunities. Every person working tickets or concessions, selling merchandise, or coaching a team will be compensated. And, of course, family members of working age who pass a background check are certainly welcome to apply and be part of the Family Sports League team!
Multiple Seasons & Opportunities
We offer multiple seasons within the year. Currently, we will offer a Spring and Fall season for Middle School boys' and girls' basketball. Families can participate in as many seasons as they choose. This increases development without compromising our mission to keep family schedules more relaxed. As we grow, our league will expand to high school. We will also add sports like soccer, baseball & softball as demand increases.
As we continue to grow and develop, we will see more unique differences that benefit our families. The best way to understand Family Sports League is to join in the experience! If that interests you, subscribe to our newsletter today or email us directly to start a dialogue. We want to hear from you and keep you updated on everything happening with Family Sports League!
Upcoming Schedule
Take note of what we have scheduled for 2026
Middle School Basketball Spring
Boys & Girls
December 1st, 2025
Early Registration Begins
December 22nd, 2025
Registration Begins
February 20th, 2026
Registration Ends
March 23rd, 2026
Practice Begins
April 11th, 2026
Season Begins
June 6th, 2026
Season End (with awards presented)
Middle School Basketball Fall
Boys & Girls
May 12th, 2026
Early Registration Begins
June 2nd, 2026
Registration Begins
July 21st, 2026
Registration Ends
September 12th, 2026
Practice Begins
September 26th, 2026
Season Begins
November 21st, 2026
Season Ends (with awards presented)
At Family Sports League, transparency is a chief principle. So, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions so you can best understand our mission. Whenever we can, we’ll give you a quick, direct answer first — followed by a bit more detail if you'd like to read further. Whether you’re a parent, potential player, or member of the community, this guide has what you need to get started. Let’s go!
· When does the season start? April 11th, 2026, is week 1 of the spring season. Prior to that, there are key dates for registration and the start of team practices, so be sure to stay tuned for those announcements. Looking ahead, we’re also excited to host a Fall 2026 season, which is scheduled to begin on September 26th, 2026. Once an athlete is registered, all important details — including practice schedules, team assignments, and season updates — will be shared directly with families.
· What age groups can participate? Our league is currently open to athletes in 6th–8th grade, typically ages 11–14. This is the foundation of our inaugural season, with plans to expand into high school divisions in the future. We’re building a platform that grows with our players — and this is just the beginning!
· What sports does FSL offer? For our inaugural season, Family Sports League is proud to offer basketball for middle school boys and girls. As interest grows, so will we. We're actively exploring new programs, with soccer, baseball/softball, and cross country on the shortlist for the Charleston, WV area. FSL is designed to grow with the communities we serve — in each new region, we’ll prioritize launching the sports that are most in demand.
· How much does it cost to participate? Participation in each FSL season requires a $300 registration fee. BUT… this fee covers a full season of local competition — and compared to traditional travel leagues, it offers significant value by eliminating travel costs and creating local job opportunities for families if they choose through coaching and game-day work stations. In addition, there is a $78 uniform fee. These custom uniforms are player-specific and theirs to keep, meaning they can be reused in future seasons without repurchasing — saving families money over time.
· How do I register my child? When registration opens for each season, a registration form will be available on this website and sent out via email for those who have subscribed. It includes a secure online payment platform to complete the process easily. To stay in the loop, be sure to subscribe on our website — subscribers will receive quicker access and important updates each season directly in their inbox.
· Where are practices and games held? For the Spring 2026 season, all Family Sports League games will be held on the campus of West Virginia State University in Institute, WV — providing athletes with a top-tier, collegiate-level environment to compete in. We’re finalizing details for our practice location, which will be conveniently located in the Charleston, WV area. Stay tuned — an official announcement is coming soon!
· How are teams formed? When registering, families will select a preferred practice night that best fits their weekly schedule. That selection will determine which team the athlete is assigned to. No surprises — each team name is linked to a specific practice night, and those details will be clearly listed on the registration form to help you make the best choice for your family.
· Can my child switch teams? Yes… and no. Once registration is complete, players are assigned to a team based on the practice night selected on the registration form, and that assignment is considered final. However, in special circumstances, if a schedule change or team adjustment is necessary and can be accommodated within the league’s team structure, we’ll do our best to help. Team changes are handled on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability and league logistics. Between seasons, families can absolutely select a new team during the registration process. However, please keep in mind that a new team will likely require a new uniform charge.
· Are scores and standings kept? Absolutely! We keep track of scores and standings throughout the season. As part of our operations, we have staff on hand that work at the score table. These recorded stats play a key role in determining season awards and recognizing player achievements at the end of the season.
· Can parents volunteer? Yes! While all unfilled positions at FSL are filled with compensated roles, we highly encourage and greatly appreciate parents who wish to volunteer. Volunteering offers crucial support to FSL, allowing us to continue delivering exceptional services and programs. Your involvement not only helps us tremendously but also strengthens our community, and we truly value the contribution volunteers make.
· What equipment does my child need? For student-athletes, the only required items are the FSL team uniform and non-skid tennis shoes suitable for indoor play. All other practice and game-day equipment, including balls, cones, and other necessary gear, will be provided by coaches and Family Sports League.
· What safety measures are in place? At Family Sports League, the safety of our athletes is our top priority. To ensure a secure environment, all coaches and employees undergo a background check. Additionally, there will always be a Family Sports League representative present at both practices and games, fully trained in CPR and First Aid to respond to any emergencies promptly.
· What happens in case of bad weather? While severe weather is rare during our spring and fall seasons, we take safety seriously. In the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions, any cancellations or schedule changes will be communicated promptly via text alerts and email. We’ll ensure families are informed in plenty of time to adjust plans. We do suggest parents check their emails 1-2 hours before their scheduled games for these possible updates.
· What is the coaching philosophy of the league? At Family Sports League, we encourage coaches to implement their individual strategies while maintaining a unified approach to player development. All coaches must complete FSL-certified training, which covers essential league policies including:
· Guaranteed playing time for all players
· Emphasis on sportsmanship
· A commitment to respect for athletes, families, referees and fellow coaches
Our goal is to create a positive, supportive environment where every player has the opportunity to grow and succeed, both on and off the court.
We’re here to help!
Our FAQ list will continue to grow and evolve based on your needs. If you have any additional questions or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@familysportsleague.com. For the latest updates, news, and announcements, be sure to subscribe to our email list — you won’t want to miss what’s coming next!
Thank you for being a part of Family Sports League — Where Family and Sports Meet.