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FAIRFIELD, Conn. Football players smacked sleds, ran patterns and caught passes during a recent practice for the Fairfield Giants, who have been working every weeknight since Aug. 1.
"We get excited about practice in April,'' athletic director Mark Innaimo said. "When the warm weather starts coming, we're ready to go. Everybody in the league, from the parents to the players to the coaches, can't wait to get started."
In the past few years, the Giants, established in 1966, have been one of the region's most successful programs. Playing in the Southern Connecticut Pop Warner League, they have won four state championships and three regional championships in four years. Fairfield's Junior Pee Wee team finished second in the country in 2007. Pop Warner is one of the most popular youth football programs in the country.
It's not only the commitment of players that has made the Giants successful. Starting with league president Jack Tetreau and on down to the coaches and parents, every person associated with the league is on the same page in shaping the program's future. "This is an all-volunteer effort,'' Innaimo said. "It starts in April and can go up through December if the teams make it that far. It's quite a commitment."
Innaimo said the league had slightly fewer players this year, which he believes is partly attributable to the economy. "For the most part, every one that played last year returned,'' Innaimo said. "We also have a flag football program, and that has been a great feeder system for us." The Giants also run a cheerleading program.
Players range in age from 7 to 15. Teams include the Mitey Mites (ages 7-9, 45-90 pounds), Junior Pee Wee (ages 8-10,60-105 pounds) , Pee Wee (ages 9-11, 75-120 pounds), Junior Midget (ages 10-12, 85-135 pounds) and Midget (ages 11-5, 105-160 pounds).
Former First Selectman John Sullivan helped start the league, which practices and plays many of its games at Sullivan Field. The Giants kick off the season with the Sullivan Bowl on Friday, Aug. 26. For more information about the league, visit the Fairfield Giants' website.
Send us photos from your Fairfield Giants team during the season! Send them to trenner@mainstreetconnect.us.
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