A new option for youth sports is now available in Ferndale offering programs that put a special emphasis on life outside sports, including academics.

MD Youth Sports, which has programs in Southfield and Roseville, has expanded to Ferndale this year and is now registering for flag football and cheerleading.

LaDaryl Winters, president of MD Youth Sports, said the program was started in 2009 to "give an opportunity for all kids to get an opportunity to play."

"We wanted to get a program that was focused on academics. We use sports as an outlet to keep the kids encouraged about their grades, teach kids about good sportsmanship," said Winters, who also serves as a coach. He said bullying prevention is also taught.

Programs are open to kids between the ages of 4-10. Tackle football, and cheer and dance programs, will kick off in July, he said.

"Not everybody's going to be the star athlete," Winters said. "Our program is successful in the way that we work with kids outside of sports."

Sponsorships are currently being offered for low-income families and other families on a case-to-case basis. "We want to start off by giving back," he said.

For more information, visit mdyouthsports.org.