To get ready for the season, here are important things you should know!

Purpose of the league:

Instructional! Most participants want playing time. Effort should be rewarded with playing time. We are double-goal orientated. We want to win, AND teach positive life skills that compliment each other and extend beyond the sport of cheer and football. We define a winner as someone who has given maximum effort.

Remember, football is a contact sport and your child could get hurt. Coaches do all they can to teach kids to play safely.

To get ready for the season, here are important things you must know…

You will need to have  the following items before the first practice:  

 VERY IMPORTANT!!!!  Players may use non cleated tennis shoes or molded football or soccer style shoes with molded rubber cleats only.  Molded cleats or studs must be no more than ½” long and have a minimum diameter at the tip of 3/16” and be made of a pliable material that will not develop a sharp edge or burr. No screw in cleats or hard synthetic cleats permitted.

 Jock/cup required. Practice jersey / shirt to fit over shoulder pads. Optional protective gear (not required) can include forearm pads, gloves, neck rolls, rib pads. See www.mmrfl.org for more details.

 

We will provide at equipment handout: Practice pants, game pants, all pads, helmets, game socks, game jersey, and mouth guards.

 

Physicals and Birth Certificates

A sports physical is required before you may participate in the program. This must be done before August 17th. You should be able to have this done by your family physician. There are also local options in Fenton, such as McLaren’s (810-750-2222).  Here is an MHSAA form if your doctor does not have something already.

If you have not already provided a copy of your child’s birth certificate, we will also need that before the first practice, on August 17th.

Football Practice Information:

The first football practice will be Monday, August 17th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the practice field between Torrey Hill and West Shore. Bring your helmet, spikes, a cool shirt, shorts, and water or sports drink. This first week will be conditioning. The week of August 18th will be the first week of contact.

Football Practice Time – 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Once school starts, practices will run from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Days of the week - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Coaches may modify this schedule, so please check with the head coach to make sure.  During the first week, practices will be Mon, Tue, Wed, and Fri.

Please drop off and pick your child up on time! Playing time is in part determined by practice participation. Our coaches have put in a lot of time already, and should not be expected to stay late. Also, if you bring your siblings or pets, stay and watch over them. We do not have the resources to monitor their activities.

Weather – We will practice in all weather except lightning. If in doubt, call your coach.

Game jersey and game pants are only to be worn at games, and not practice.

There is no smoking allowed on school property. That includes no smoking in vehicles parked on school property. We must be respectful of school rules or will lose the right to practice there.

Game Information:

3 Home games (at Lake Fenton Middle School ) and 3 road games. The schedule will not be available until the week of the first game. The first game will probably be on September 12th. Game start times range from 9:00am until 7:00pm. They usually last about 2 hours. You are responsible for providing transportation to the games.

Football weigh-ins start promptly 1 hour before the game. Have your player at the field 1 hour and 15 minutes before game time to make sure they can play.

Football playing time will be allocated based on Effort, Attendance, and Skill. The MMRFL rule on playing time – Must play 4 plays in each half. We do what we can to better those requirements, by having small teams. Coaches have the right not to play kids for disciplinary reasons (such as kicked out of school, fighting, poor grades). The coach should inform you prior to the game if such a condition exists.

There is no smoking allowed on school property, and includes no smoking in vehicles parked on school property.

Need for support staff:

Here is the key: Many Hands Make Less Work. Everyone is required to volunteer in some way!!! Your options include:

Team manager (Team parent)– attendance, birth certificates, physicals, registrations, fund raisers. Please contact Lori Zielinski 810-750-7775

Chain gang and Press box help. Best views of the game!

Snack bar workers. Meet lots of great people! Concessions is a big part of the whole experience, your team parent will have sign up sheets available. This is an area that needs YOUR help. Thank you in advance for signing up. 

Video and Photography help is welcome as well.

Fundraising:

We are going to offer a greater variety of rewards for those that participate in fundraising. More details to follow!

Final Note…

We encourage communication! If you have any concerns, please talk to your coach. We are all volunteers, and are doing this for the love of the game, and the benefit of the kids. If you prefer to discuss issues with me, I am available at my contact information below. Also, if you send me your email address we can email you any important Lake Fenton Youth Football news.

Thank you for all your support, and we look forward to a great season!

Go Blue Devils!