Who is eligible to play tackle football? Children eligible to play tackle football must be between the ages of 8 and 12 (cannot turn 13 on or before 7/31 of that year). Children must be in good health and a Medical Consent Form is required to participate.

Who is eligible to play flag football? Children eligible for flag football must be between the ages of 5 and 7 (cannot turn 8 on or before 7/31). Children must be in good health and a Medical Consent Form is required to participate.

How old does my child have to be to cheer? Children ages 4-12 are eligible for our cheer program. Children will be placed on teams not only according to their age but their skill level and needs as well. Athletes can cheer within a four year age gap.

Can my cheer athlete cheer only for games? Yes. Starting the 2025 season, upon registration, cheer athletes can choose to only do sideline cheer or both, sideline and competitive/exhibition.

Where are practices and games held? Practices and home games are held at Wappingers Junior High school, on the backfield behind the school. Away games are played at any of the participating town's fields. Athletes are expected to be in attendance at all practices and games rain or shine, unless discussed prior.

Do I have to buy any equipment?

FLAG: Your Fall NFL Flag registration includes purchase of your NFL official sublimated reversible game jersey, matching socks and belts. Parents will be responsible for the purchase of mouth guard, cleats and shorts.

TACKLE: Your new tackle registration includes purchase of reversible sublimated game jersey. The league will supply game pants, helmet, pads and practice uniform. Parents will be responsible for the purchase of mouth guard, girdle, protective cup and cleats. Returning tackle athletes have the option to purchase new jersey, if needed, at a discounted rate.

CHEER: Your registration includes rental of sideline uniform, purchase of two sets of bows, and practice shirt. Rental and purchase options are available for new 2025 competition uniforms. Parents are responsible for the purchase of white sneakers and briefs. Warmup suits are available for purchase at a discounted rate for new cheer athletes.

Any and all equipment that we supply must be returned to us at end of season.

How do I submit paperwork?

Tackle athletes will submit all information digitally through our NSID portal. This is where AYF forms and waivers are filled out and all related documents are uploaded. Medical clearance form has to be printed out and uploaded upon completion.

Flag athletes will fill out all required information upon registration. Medical clearance form and waiver must be completed and handed in by the first practice.

Cheer athletes will print out all forms and hand them in on the first day of practice.

NO ATHLETE WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A SIGNED MEDICAL CLEARANCE FORM.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Flag - Ages 5, 6, 7
• 8U - Ages 7,8
• 9U - Ages 8,9
• 10U - Ages 9,10
• 11U - Ages 10,11
• 12U - Ages 11,12
• Cheer teams are allowed a four year age gap based on team availability.

Age of player used for placement is their age as of July 31st.

Cost to Play

• Flag Football: $150
• Tackle Football: New $400 Returner $350
• Cheer: Competition/Exhibition $400 Sideline Only $300

FOOTBALL DATES & EXPECTATIONS

FIRST PRACTICE STARTS TUES. AUGUST 5, 2025

• Practice: For tackle, practice is 4 days a week, Mon. - Thurs. for the month of August. Practice times are between the hours of 5:30-8pm (TBD). For flag and comp/expo cheer, practice is three days a week for the month of August (days and times TBD). Sideline only cheer will practice one day a week TBD.

• Practice schedule changes when school starts:  Once school begins, tackle practice will transition to three nights per week (days and time TBD by coach), flag and comp/expo cheer will remain three nights per week (with the exception of D6 cheer, which will be two nights per week), for the duration of the season. Coaches may opt for an extra practice before a game/competition if they choose.

• Mouth Pieces & Cups: All tackle and flag players are required to have mouth pieces in order to practice or play on game day. Protective cups are recommended for tackle athletes.

• Game Schedule: Once TYF and WYFC finalizes the game schedules, they will be distributed to all teams/families and uploaded into your team's Team Snap app. Game schedule and locations are always subject to change.

• Cheer Choreography & Competitions: All cheer athletes are expected to be present for every competition and choreography practice. Missing choreography will put the athlete at risk of being removed from the team. Competition schedule will be made available as soon as it is received from TYC.

• Practice Attire: For the 1st week of practice tackle players will need to be wearing  blue/black shorts,  red t-shirts and have their cleats and mouthpieces. Cheer will wear practice t-shirts and dark bottoms. Flag will wear their team's color t-shirt, black shorts with cleats and mouthpiece. Absolutely no crocs, sandals or flip flops.

• Vacations: Summer vacations are permitted. We ask that you communicate those dates with your coach immediately so they can plan accordingly. When school starts, all athletes are expected to be in attendance, unless discussed prior. Every team relies on full participation from all athletes. Unexcused and excessive absences will hurt the overall health of the team and may result in less playing time.

• Weather Conditions: When the weather is a problem due to excessive heat, cold, thunder/lightning or snow, we will notify you of any cancellations or location changes through our Team Snap app. If we do not cancel, all athletes are expected to be in attendance for all practices/games.

If you have any other questions, please contact us at wappingersyouthfootball@gmail.com