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MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) -It is officially a new era for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

The school launched a new athletic program for the students to participate in UIL athletic events.

Midland ISD and the YWLA came to an agreement last fall to add the new athletic program.

This new program will give students the resources they need to succeed on and off the field.

YWLA student athletes started their team practice and summer strength and conditioning camp.

The new athletic program will allow the students to play the sports they want.

“We want them to grow as students and athletes and those two combined will help them be well-rounded individuals whenever their time is done here at YWLA.” said YWLA Assistant Volleyball Coach Jake Wallace.

In the past, students at YWLA who wanted to participate in sports had to participate at other schools in their attendance zone like Midland Legacy or Midland High.

Varsity sports include cross country, tennis, and swimming, and cheerleading.

Volleyball will also be offered at the JV level and junior high, and junior high students can participate in volleyball, basketball, cross country, tennis, swimming, and cheerleading.

“The school board had a lot of conversations and a lot of things downtown to make this happen, so it took a lot of people to allow this to happen not only for us coaches but for the student-athletes as well.” said YWLA Athletic Coordinator Debbie Jones.

YWLA not only wants to promote the program with physical fitness and teamwork they want to show what the school stands for.

“One, we want the girls to learn to compete. That’s going to help them in the classroom, in the work field, in college, things like that and we want to show that it is an all-girls school where they can compete, and they need to have the same opportunities as other schools.” said Jake Wallace.

The YWLA class of twenty-twenty-five will be the first year the school will have seniors and a graduating class.

“It’s going to be amazing to see these girls graduate where they started school in the sixth-grade year and be able to transfer, maybe college or career ready for them.” said Debbie Jones

The school has its weight room for their summer athletic program.

The Young Women’s Leadership Academy will be competing in the 3A level, and they will be competing next school year.