GERMANTOWN YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

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1 GERMANTOWN YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB Welcome players and parents to the 19 th season of Germantown Hawks Football. The Germantown Youth Football Club, a non-profit organization, dedicated to the youth of the community and the sport of football, sponsors the program. The GYFC was formed to allow students in grades 5 th,6 th, 7 th, and 8 th to play in an organized tackle football league. The GYFC is affiliated with the Wisconsin All American Youth Football League (AAYFL). The program is not affiliated with the Germantown School District or the Germantown Recreation Department. Purpose The GYFC will provide an opportunity for youth to participate in the sport of football and bring together youth of the Germantown School District through a common interest in fair play and fellowship, while having fun. Goal The goal of our program is to educate youth on the proper techniques of football, stressing teamwork, discipline, commitment, and fair play while providing a learning and caring environment. Membership Membership in the program is open to anyone who wishes to participate. There will be no cuts. Students must be residents of the Germantown School District or attend a Germantown School. Chapter 220 students attending school in the Germantown School District are eligible to participate. Teams Since it's inception,the AAYFL and the Germantown Youth Football Club, has been designed as an A team,b team, C team, based on ability. Over the years it has been convenient to divide the teams as 8th grade,7th grade,6th grade. It recent years there has been a league wide trend where there is a 20% or greater drop off in participation from grade to grade. We now average 23 players on 8th grade, players on 7th grade and have enough 6th graders to make 3 teams.our concerns on the A team(8th) with 23 or less players is the quality of the daily practices and the ability to maximize football learning opportunities. If this trend continues in 2013,qualified 7th graders will placed on the A teams to achieve a reasonable balance throughout our club. In turn, qualified 6th graders will be placed on the B teams. This is no different than a freshman being moved up to JV or a sophomore being moved up to varsity. Only those players qualified to start or play at least 50% of the time will be moved up. A good balance across our program will benifit all participants.

2 Players will be divided into squads based on age, weight, and ability. A Teams will be formed primarily for 8 th graders, B Teams primarily for 7 th graders, and C Teams primarily for 6 th graders. D Teams primarily for 5 th graders. Roster limits for the teams are as follows 8 th Grade: 2 teams with a maximum of 80 players, teams will be split evenly. 7 th Grade: 2 teams with a maximum of 70 players, teams will be split evenly. 6 th Grade: 2 teams with a maximum of 70 players, teams will be split evenly. 5 th Grade: 2 teams with a maximum of 70 players, team will be split evenly. The maximum weight of A Team ball carriers or offensive backs is 160 lbs., without equipment. The maximum weight of B Team ball carriers or offensive backs is 140 lbs., without equipment. The maximum weight of a C Team ball carrier or offensive backs is 120 lbs., without equipment. The maximum weight of D Team ball carriers or offensive backs is 100 lbs, without equipment. These restrictions will be determined prior to league play based on roster weight verification. The official team weigh-in will take place between the first official league practice date and September 1 st. A nurse will be present to verify player weight. The date and time of the official weigh-in will be included in the practice schedule. While the GYFC has no policy on the minimum weight required to participate, we encourage parents to carefully evaluate the child s physical status before registering. Playing Time It is the policy of the Germantown Youth Football Club that all players have the opportunity to play in each league game. Our coaching staffs are dedicated to providing all players with the opportunity to play a meaningful roll with their team through practices, scrimmages, and game action. The Germantown Hawks Youth Football Club has adopted specific playing time requirements for the program. Three factors will be taken into consideration by our coaching staff when determining playing time at all three levels. - Playing time is based on the player s understanding of their position and the playbook. - Playing time is based on practice attendance. - Playing time is based on the player s physical status.

3 A Teams (8 th grade) - If requirements are met, every player will have the opportunity to play in each league game. - No reserve inter-squad scrimmages will take place based on the rules of the AAYFL. - Lack of weight and size may limit playing time in some game conditions. B Teams (7 th Grade) - Every player must belong to either an offensive or defensive squad. - Players will receive a minimum of one quarter (6 to 8 plays) of playing time on EITHER offense OR defense. C Teams (6 th Grade) - Every player must belong to BOTH an offensive squad AND a defensive squad. - Each player will receive a minimum of one quarter (6-8 plays) on BOTH offense AND defense. D Teams (5 th Grade) - Every player must belong to BOTH an offensive squad AND a defensive squad. - Each player will receive a minimum of one quarter (6-8 plays) on BOTH offense AND defense. Throughout our program at all levels we encourage players, with the help of their parents, to choose the playing position that they want. It is normal for players to select the most popular positions.(running back, receiver etc,)after the coaches evaluate the players at their chosen position. some players will be asked to move to help balance overall team depth. Example:if there are 33 players on a team we would like 3 players at each position. Quite often we end up with 5 halfbacks,10 ends,1 center and 2 guards. Coaches cannot achieve the mandatory playing time requirements when any position exceeds the logical team depth chart. We encourage the parents and players to help the coaching staff achieve a team balance.

4 Practices / Equipment Equipment will be distributed on Saturday August 3 rd, 2013 from 8 to 10:30 AM Location-Premier Flooring. A reminder will be sent out in early July All players will be properly measured and fitted for equipment. Our football season begins with our first practice on Monday August 5th, 2013 rain or shine, but not lightening. All practices will be held on the practice fields at Friedenfeld Park on Country Aire Dr. Once school begins, practices will be scheduled an average of three times per week for approximately two hours per practice. Practice schedules will be ed or distributed at the equipment handout. A league rule states that a player must have 10 hours of conditioning practice time, before participating in any physical contact. We realize there are vacations and other activities still going on in August, but please try to attend all practices. The coaches are more likely to provide additional playing time to those players who participate and are prepared. We encourage each player to start a daily conditioning routine two to four weeks before the first practice. For the first few practices, the players should wear comfortable workout clothes (shirt, shorts, shoes, and socks). The club will provide helmets, shoulder pads, knee and thigh pads, girdle, hip and tailbone pads, pants, and jerseys. Players are responsible for providing their own shoes. Upon receipt of your football equipment, you will be required to sign an agreement guaranteeing that all equipment will be returned in good, clean condition at the end of the season, including jerseys. Germantown Football Club supplies all equipment, except football spikes and girdles. Girdles and spikes need to be purchased on your own. More info to follow. Games A season consists of eight games played on Saturdays from September 7 th to October 26 th, Each squad plays it s own game. Times may vary, but normally A Teams play at 9:00 AM, B Teams play at 10:30 AM, C Teams play at 12:00 PM and D Teams at 1:30pm. Two pre-season scrimmages will be held at Germantown. Germantown is in the Northeast Division of the North Conference of the AAYFL with teams from Cedarburg, Grafton, Mequon-Thiensville, and Whitefish Bay.

5 Sign Up Fees - $230 per player, $120 each additional player in family. Credit Card or check are accepted. Please make check out to Germantown Youth Football Germantown Youth Football W164 N9662 Water Street Germantown, WI Scholarships To help defray the overall costs of operating the GYFC, (i.e., player and team equipment, insurance, officials, new field development), sign up fees are collected. However, the GYFC does not wish to exclude Germantown school district students who are unable to pay these fees due to financial hardships, which may occur. The GYFC board has scholarships available which may cover all or a portion of your child s sign up fees. Those families receiving scholarships will serve the program in one of the areas listed on the volunteer form. Parents should contact board members, Brandon Preiss at or Ray Baran at before registration. Volunteers As with any youth program, parent involvement is necessary and key to the success of the program. Our coaches and board members are volunteers, giving up many evenings and Saturdays to work with your child. We need parents to take some of the pressure off of the coaches so they can concentrate on coaching. Please sign up for at least one of the areas on the volunteer registration form where you as a parent can help our program. The club and your child will appreciate your support. Refund Policy There will be no refunds after registration, unless the player transfers school districts, or for certain cases that must be approved by the GYFC board of directors. No refunds will be given after the first practice.