Justin Winn started a youth sports business in Central Oregon to ensure that all kids can join a recreation sports league if they want to.

He opened an N Zone Sports franchise in Bend last summer and organized flag football, soccer and basketball leagues throughout the year.

Winn had heard too many disappointed stories from people who couldn’t get their kids into Bend Park & Recreation District sports and activities due to its 6 a.m. sign-up time and subsequent website crashes.

“We had this in our mind as it was definitely something that was needed in Bend, and it’s kind of ended up being the right time for us to pursue it,” said Winn, who began the business with his wife. “For us, we started this because we want kids who want to play to be able to play sports and we also don’t want it to be like you have to play in a club sport or be on the travel team. We know that you can learn a lot from sports.”

Basketball, soccer and flag football

N Zone Sports of Central Oregon operates out of Pilot Butte Middle School on weekends, but Winn dreams of expanding operations and the sports he offers.

“We’re really just trying to get the word out in Bend that we’re another option,” said Winn. “For so long Parks and Rec. has kinda been the only game in town for recreation youth leagues, and we’re doing something pretty similar but a little different.”

N Zone Sports ran basketball in the winter, soccer in the spring and flag football in the fall for kids ages 3 to 12. This summer, it is running a few basketball skills camps. This fall and next spring, the plan is to offer both soccer and flag football. Winn said he focused on sports with the most demand.

For kids ages 3 and 4, Winn and his team start them out playing with the equipment and introducing them to the basic concepts. For older kids, they set up practices and team games.

“Everything is just once a week (on weekends), so it’s super easy for the parents. There’s nothing to be done to run kids around during the week, which can be hectic. So it’s definitely more of a recreation league,” said Winn. “People have commented that they love how organized and planned out it is.”

Values and organization

Don Jacobs, who lives in Bend, said his 9-year-old son has enjoyed the basketball sessions at N Zone Sports and is already asking when the next session starts.

“He loves the training, loves being with the kids, you know, that are his age…He finds that it’s the right group of kids that are learning at the right tempo, and he’s able to learn and grow with them,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs tried to find sports activities for his kids through the park district, but was quickly stymied by rigorous schedules and the lack of availability. Something Jacobs appreciates is that Winn and his team are approachable and remember both the kids and parents’ names, he said.

“Justin and his team do a good job with the kids, really listening and providing good skills to them,” he said. “We need more things for the kids and getting them active and being out in the community is awesome.”

Over the course of each eight-week season, organizers keep score, keep team standings up to date and give out trophies and medals at the end. Coaches emphasize values of effort, leadership and sportsmanship throughout each season.

The business is currently renting from Bend-La Pine Schools and has held programs at Pilot Butte Middle School.

Each season costs between $150 and $175 depending on the sport, which includes use of equipment, jerseys and trophies.

Winn’s location is the only N Zone Sports in Oregon. The business began in Florida and has franchises across the U.S.

“For us to go from unknown to have, we had 225 kids in our first basketball league, they helped us do that,” said Winn. “We have ongoing support with them as we roll out different sports…We own our own business but we also have a team to work with to help us out to do it all.”

N Zone Sports of Central Oregon is now gearing up for soccer and flag football in the fall.

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