Oakwood Activity Center likes to bill itself Enid’s “headquarters’’ for youth volleyball.

More than 120 play in the center’s grade school and junior high and high school girls’ leagues, which play Thursday nights.

Fundamentals and sportsmanship are emphasized over winning, said Carolyn Watts, who directs the leagues with husband Mike as an outreach ministry of Oakwood Christian Church, which has operated the center for 10 years. Leagues are open to girls of all faiths.

A prayer is said before each game.

Before participating, players and coaches must sign an agreement to obey a set of rules.

The same is true for parents.

“If there’s a conflict that arises, we’ll deal with it,’’ Watts said. “We want this to be in a Christian atmosphere where they can be comfortable, learn the basics and have a good time.’’

Nurture, never destroy, the agreement says.

Coaches are told to be good role models. Profanity or coarse language is not tolerated, Watts said.

“There must be absolute cooperation and respect for the referee,’’ she said.

Goals for players are to learn the game and develop attributes such as confidence, self-control, teamwork and communication.

The leagues are intended to build friendships and encourage parental participation.

“Winning is the last thing we put down,’’ Watts said. “Girls can fit in here where they might not somewhere else.’’



Cheering them on



Volleyball, Mike Watts said, is an ideal activity because it can be a sport of a lifetime.

The leagues in their five-year history have grown from 70 to 120-plus participants. Players on Enid High School and Oklahoma Bible Academy teams began at Oakwood.

OBA coach James Ward, a former Enid assistant, helped start the leagues.

Both Wattses said they enjoy watching the younger girls improve.

The grade school league uses the full court because “you never know where they’re going to hit it,’’ Carolyn Watts said.

The girls begin to be able to get the ball over the nets by the third or fourth match.

“The other team cheers when they do because they get to hit the ball back,’’ Carolyn Watts said.



Walking with faith



The volleyball league offers entertainment to another of the OAC’s programs.

OAC offers indoor walking paths for all ages. Mike Watts has organized a program that gives walkers a destination for which to shoot.

Every mile walked gets 25 miles toward that destination. Those achieving their goal are awarded T-shirts. The average walker goes 65 to 75 miles in 12 weeks, or six miles a week.

There’s usually a meal about halfway through for fellowship, Mike Watts said.

“It’s not suppose to be competitive,’’ he said, “... we have some friendly competition.’’

Like the volleyball program, it is based in spirituality.

“We don’t push anything on anybody,’’ Mike Watts said. “When we have somebody new ... we ask them where they go to church. If they’re not going anywhere, we invite them to come here, but everybody is welcomed.’’

Goals are exercise and fellowship.

“We’re all in the same boat there,’’ said Mike Watts.

The Wattses are charter members of the 30-year church. Carolyn began as a volunteer when it opened, and it turned into a full-time job. Mike started to work soon after. He has directed the walking program for eight years.



Other action



OAC is the site of a more competitive co-ed volleyball league played Sundays and Mondays almost year-round.

When the OAC is not being used for volleyball, it’s used as an open gym. Families can buy memberships.