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The innovative program, which will include coaches and former National Football League players, is open to students throughout the region who want to learn how to play football safely and compete in non- contact games. A 5-on-5 league is open to students under the age of 10, and the 7-on-7 league is for students older than 10. The League will also offer punt, pass and kick events and summer camps. The season begins April 16 through May 21, 2016, with tournaments in June and July.
Retired NFL football players Fred Baxter and Rob Carpenter, along with Greenburgh Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tahira Dupree Chase, announced the partnership this week at a Superintendent’s Tea. Greenburgh is the first school district in New York and one of the first in the nation to be partnering with the NYFO, and will offer the use of its fields to the program.
“NYFO is all about getting kids and their parents confident in the game of football,” said Baxter, who played for the New York Jets and Chicago Bears before joining the Patriots. “Student athletes learn football skills in 7-on-7 play without the physical contact and parents like this safer alternative.”
NYFO was founded in 2014 by Bob Winstead, a former Raleigh, N.C., high school football coach, who wanted to give student athletes a year-round football experience that focuses on fundamentals of the game, good sportsmanship, leadership skills and team building.
Carpenter, whose daughter attends the Greenburgh schools, will be helping to run the Westchester program, and Baxter is a commissioner for the New York and New Jersey programs. David Theleman is governor of the New York program.
To register your child for the football clinics, visit the NYFO website at www.playNYFO.com and create an account. Students registered by March 1 will receive a compression-style uniform; students who register after March first will receive a regular uniform with team colors.
Registration is $125 per student. A one-time annual fee of $15 covers insurance and $29 covers uniforms (jersey and shorts). Players receive three weeks of practice and six regular season games. Each week consists of a minimum of either three practices/week or two practices/one game per week. At the end of the season, tournaments are held at the league, state and national levels. In addition, players participate in a Skills Evaluation Day, Kickoff Jamboree and End of Season Celebration.
Parents who wish to learn more about NYFO and other leagues around the country and find more information here or here.
