Confidence Starts Here. Learn ★ Play ★ Build
In the late 2000s, the Friendsville Optimist Program was the heart of youth recreation in our community, providing a strong foundation for local sports and family involvement. During this time, Friendsville offered multiple active seasons throughout the year, and participation was at an all-time high. Football alone regularly welcomed more than 100 children each season, while softball and basketball continued to keep young athletes involved year-round.
All of that success was made possible through the dedication of longtime community leaders Bill and Beth Pyle. For more than 25 years, they invested their time, energy, and heart into creating meaningful opportunities for hundreds of local children to learn, play, and grow through recreation. Their leadership helped shape not only strong programs but also lasting memories for generations of Friendsville families.
As youth sports continued to evolve, participation patterns began to shift. Travel teams grew in popularity, competition increased, and fewer families participated in traditional recreational leagues. While some programs saw a decline over time, one important tradition remained steady: Friendsville youth basketball. Thanks to Bill and Beth’s continued involvement, Friendsville has been able to maintain a consistent basketball league and preserve an experience that many families have valued for years. Even today, you can still find Bill and Beth at the gym on Saturday mornings, running the concession stand, supporting players and coaches, and encouraging kids with smiles, high-fives, and a positive spirit. Their dedication has made a lasting impact, and the City of Friendsville is grateful for the role they continue to play in keeping youth recreation strong.
Friendsville has continued to grow, and more young families have chosen to call our community home. With that growth, the City recognized the importance of rebuilding an affordable youth recreation program, one that gives every child the chance to participate, regardless of skill level or experience. In planning the program, the City knew there were several important factors to consider, including what kind of recreation to provide. From the beginning, the focus was clear: allow kids to be kids, build confidence, learn teamwork, encourage one another, and develop the fundamentals of sports in a positive and supportive environment. The City also understood the importance of having experienced leaders who could help guide the program in the right direction, and the decision was clear: Bill and Beth Pyle were the individuals the City reached out to for guidance in rebuilding Friendsville Youth Recreation. With leadership and the narrative in place, the next and more challenging step was identifying where the program would be able to play and grow.
With limited available land within the City, a meeting was held with Stan Painter, Principal of Friendsville Elementary School, to discuss the possibility of using the school’s field if Youth Recreation was brought back. Throughout the years, the City has maintained a strong working relationship with Friendsville Elementary, and this partnership was an important step in rebuilding local recreation opportunities for families. The City committed to improving and maintaining the field to support the program. With that, the School Board agreed, and with that final piece in place, the foundation for bringing youth recreation back to Friendsville was complete. Through fundraisers held in the past, such as shirt sales and community donations. The City’s crew began working on the field. Once completed, the crew focused on repairs to the pavilion. While initial improvements were made, the project was paused once fundraising funds were depleted. Fundraising efforts are ongoing to complete the pavilion, add picnic tables, and work toward the addition of restroom facilities.
In 2023, Bill and Beth led the way by supporting the launch of Friendsville’s first spring tee-ball season. With their experience and passion for youth sports, their involvement helped bring a new opportunity to life for our youngest athletes. That spring, the program began with outstanding community support, with more than 85 children registered to participate in Wittle Weague (ages 3–4) and Tee-Ball (K–2nd grade). The excitement and enthusiasm from families showed that Friendsville Youth Recreation is growing and creating meaningful memories for the next generation.
New Generation Park
103 N. Farnum St. Friendsville, TN 37737
Friendsville Sports Field
210 East 4th Street, Friendsville, TN 37737
Friendsville Pavilion
(In design stages, with the help of the LPRF grant, construction will start in Spring 2026)
Contribute: Fundraising Brick