Newcastle Knights Athletics

Hello from Newcastle Knights Athletics!
We’re excited to welcome all of our Knight athletes to another great year! Please read this entire update for important information about sports schedules, eligible grade levels, registration, tryouts, and coaching opportunities.
 GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS: Calling all 7th- and 8th-grade girls basketball players! Tryouts will be held Monday and Tuesday, August 24 and 25, in the Newcastle Upper Gym.
Monday, August 24 & Tuesday, August 25-

• 3:00–4:30 p.m. — 7th Grade Tryouts
• 4:45–6:15 p.m. — 8th Grade Tryouts

**6th grade girls may be invited to attend Tuesday tryouts if additional players are needed. We are grateful to Coach Cole Miller and Coach Mike Young for stepping up to lead our two teams this season. Coach Cole Miller will lead the 8th-grade team with assistance from Mike Young, and Coach Mike Young will lead the 7th-grade team. 

Boys basketball begins in October. However, we urgently need coaches for our 7th & 8th grade boys teams! You may coach one team or both. Please email us for information about scheduling, time commitments, and coaching stipends. WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please help us ensure our boys have the opportunity to play this season!

CROSS COUNTRY REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 21ST!
Cross country is open to all eligible athletes in grades 4–8. Please use the registration link below to sign up. Our head coach this year is Mike Young, with assistance from Justine Young and our A.D., Heather Caplinger, at meets. Thank you to everyone helping make this season possible!
Our coaches will offer four flexible practice opportunities each week:

• Monday at 1:45 p.m.; Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:15 a.m.; Thursday at 2:45 p.m.

Athletes are not required to attend every practice. We know many of our runners participate in multiple activities and sports, so our coaches are graciously offering two morning and two afternoon practices to make cross country accessible to more Knights. Come whenever you can! Cross-country meets are only one off-track mile; doesn’t that sound easy? We’re excited to have athletes of all experience levels come out, try their best, and have fun!

 2026–2027 ATHLETICS AT A GLANCE: Registration for all sports will be completed online through LBAL. There will be no paper athletics packets this year.
We’re looking forward to an incredible year of Newcastle Knights Athletics. Please email me with any questions. Go Knights!Heather Caplinger
Athletic Director
hcaplinger@newcastle.k12.ca.us