a letter from the president of ryfa football and cheerleading both are fun, exciting, and teach life...

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A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF RYFA Dear RYFA Family,

Welcome to the 2017 RYFA Flag Football and Cheer Experience. We are excited to announce that RYFA’s Flag Football and Cheer Experience is now a proud member of the NFL Flag Football program. RYFA’s Coed Flag Football and Cheer Experience is for boys and girls ages 4 – 12. The Flag Experience is an eight‐week program that provides players and cheerleaders a fun and exciting opportunity to learn lessons in teamwork, sportsmanship, physical fitness and achieving goals.

We are always looking for fresh ideas and welcome any parent to apply to join the Board of Directors.

Board meetings are open to the public and are held on the second Tuesday of each month (except December no meeting). Bi‐weekly meetings are held during the season, if needed. Should you have a question or concern, please feel free to join us and present them to the Executive Board. Our coaching staff is looking forward to working with your football player or cheerleader to help make them the best they can be as an athlete and as a person. Below is a list of items you will find in this packet:

Welcome Letter

2017 Flag Football and Cheerleading Rules and Regulations

Parent’s Code of Conduct ‐ must be signed by parent and returned

Player/Cheerleader’s Code of Conduct – must be signed by player/cheerleader and returned

Calendar of Events

Information Sheet on Concussions Please take time to go over all the documents in this package some of them have to be returned to the associations before your child is able to practice. We are excited about the big things that are happening at RYFA! Sincerely, Dewey Blaise President of RYFA

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2017 R.Y.F.A. FLAG FOOTBALL AND CHEER EXPEREINCE

Flag Football and Cheerleading both are fun, exciting, and teach life lessons such as sportsmanship, dedication, discipline

and teamwork. The 2017 Executive Board has developed this informative packet to help the parents of RYFA flag

football and cheer understand and accept the responsibilities and commitment of our program.

REGISTRATION FEE: $100.00 for the season Registration fees are used to fund the following: o Flag Football Jerseys o Flag Cheerleading uniform o Administrative Cost – which include but are not limited to Earl O’Neal Sports Complex Utilities, Game Officials,

Concession Products, Awards for the Champions and runner ups, etc. ***It is mandatory that all parents and/or guardians volunteer 2 hours in the concession stand and participant in a fundraiser. Opt‐out‐fees are available. If you fail to volunteer your assigned two hours your football player/cheerleader will have to sit out for one game.

Items Provided by Rockdale Youth Football Association: Each Player Receives:

NFL team‐identified reversible jerseys Official NFL FLAG football belt and flags Free USA Football player membership Participation Award Accident & Health insurance coverage

Each Cheerleader Receives:

Uniform Pom Poms Hair bow Participation Award Accident & Health insurance coverage Tumbling Classes – NEW THIS SEASON

Additional Items to Be Purchased by the Parent(s)/Guardian(s): 1. Football Cleats (not required but recommended) – Football 2. White tennis shoes ‐ Cheer

3. Individual Team Initiatives I.T.I. RYFA is not responsible for any Individual Team Initiatives, which may include but is not limited to, printing player names on the back of game jerseys, providing participation trophies, or hosting an end of season banquet. All ITI’s (Individual Team initiatives) must be paid for by the fund raising efforts of the individual teams.

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PRACTICE INFORMATION: Your child’s coach will contact you with the practice schedule. GAMES: Games will start on April 8, 2017 and the final tournament will be on May 13, 2017.

WEATHER: 1. If rain is an issue during the scheduled practices, contact your head coach. 2. Games may be delayed due to weather conditions. Please be patient and understand that it is the discretion of

the referee to cancel or postpone a game. Check the website for weather information.

BEHAVIOR: 1. Respect each other! 2. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. After the first warning a parent/coach conference may be

scheduled. 3. If behavior problems persist, then a parent may be asked to remain at practices to attend to the child.

4. Disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the coach and the RYFA Vice President of Football operations. Disciplinary actions may include: sitting out all or part of a game.

5. Recurring behavioral problems may result in being cut from the team without refund at the discretion of the coach and the RYFA Vice President of Football.

FUNDRAISER: 1. Every player is required to participant in RYFA’s fundraiser program.

REFUND INFORMATION: If for any reason, your child is unable to participate in Rockdale Youth Football Association's (R.Y.F.A.), football and/or cheer program, you must submit a refund request, in writing to the R.Y.F.A. Director of Registration, no later than March 18, 2017. There are no refunds granted, for any reason, after the March 18, 2017 deadline. If you register after March 18, 2017 you automatically waive your rights to a refund of any amount. Verbal withdrawals from R.Y.F.A. are not accepted. If your refund request is accepted, you must return all R.Y.F.A. property, including equipment, uniform(s), raffle tickets, etc., before a refund is granted and a $25.00 administration fee will be deducted from your refund. ***Refunds are issued within two weeks of notice of withdrawal; it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to follow‐up with the RYFA. Treasurer if a refund check is not received. RYFA is not responsible for lost or misdirected USPS mail, e‐mail or other forms of communications.

***All dates are subject to change. Schedule changes are updated on the RYFA website www.rockdaleyouthfootball.com. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Flag Football Experience League 4‐12 Year Olds

1. Flag football is a non‐physical approach to the game of football for children ages 4‐12.

2. These teams are structured for learning and development. A mandatory play rule will be in effect and enforced. At change of possession each team must clear its bench of players (i.e., you have 4 players that are not on offense they must be entered on the defensive side of the ball. These players cannot be substituted unless injured).

There will be no more than 10 players per team

7 on 7 competition

Age groups are: 4‐6, 7‐9 and 10‐12 (age groups can change depending on the number of participates)

3. The players will be provided with a game jersey and game flags. The flags must be turned in to the coaches after each game. Players will keep their jerseys after the season. 4. These are teams that play within the park and will not travel (exceptions may apply upon approval by RYFA Executive Board). 5. Fighting, any use of profanity, or continued unruly, unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated. A player or coach will be suspended for the very next game, there are no exceptions; or if the infraction is severe, will be removed from the team for the remainder of the playing season with no refunding of funds. The RYFA Executive Board must approve (by majority vote) the removal of a player or a coach from the team. 6. All players will be expected to attend all of the scheduled weekly practices to participate in games.

***** The RYFA Executive Board reserves the right to place a child that does not fit into these classes based on age, weight, or ability.

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PARENT’S/GUARDIAN CODE OF CONDUCT

As a player’s parent/guardian:

1. I will remember that the children are participating to have fun, and learn character‐building processes that can benefit them for life, and that the game is for youth, not adults.

2. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.

3. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for the participates, and will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike

conduct with any official, coach, players, or parent such as booing, and taunting; name calling, refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures – even when upset.

4. I, too, will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility, name calling or

violence.

5. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.

6. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and remind my child that doing one's best is most

important.

7. I will not ridicule my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition – during or after a game.

8. I will promote the emotional and physical well‐being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire to win.

9. I will respect the officials, coaches, volunteers and other authority including RYFA’s Board Members at all times, including during games and I will not question or confront officials, coaches, and other authority at the game field, and will take time to speak with officials, coaches, and other authority at an agreed upon time and place.

10. I will do my part to ensure the sports environment for my child is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will

refrain from their use at all youth sports events, and being under the influence of these items at all youth sports events.

11. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official

coaches of the team.

12. I will obey all County laws, RYFA’s, and the conference RYFA is a member of rules while at youth sport events;

13. I will do my part to ensure that the park and visiting parks stay clean, by placing my trash in the designated areas and making sure that all visitors to our park do the same

14. I will make every effort to ensure that my child is at every practice and game, and on time;

15. I agree to volunteer and work the designated time(s) in the concession stand(s), if I’m unable to work the time(s)

designated, I agree to find someone to work on my behalf;

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16. I understand if at any point during a game, if any parent, guardian, or guest of the team interrupts the normal flow of

the game, they can be subject to disciplinary action that will include, but not limited to the following:

Verbal warning by official to head coach, assistant coaches, players, parents, and/or guest of the team both on the field and within the facility.

15‐yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty enforced

Forfeiture of game and automatic one game suspension, with written documentation of incident kept on file by RYFA

Removal from sports complex, by RYFA Executive Board Member and/or by local law enforcement agency.

Season suspension of party involved, with no refund being issued

I recognize that if I violate the Code of Conduct, that my offense shall be reviewed by the Executive Board. If the board finds by a majority vote of the members present that I have broken this Code of Conduct, I shall receive disciplinary action as decided by the Executive Board.

Parent’s Signature Date

Player/Cheerleader’s Name

If at any time during the season, as a parent or guardian, an issue arises when you would like to discuss the matter with the RYFA Executive Board, you may do so by contacting the Secretary, so that a special meeting of the Executive Board maybe called to address the issue(s).

THIS MUST BE SIGNED AND RETURNED TO RYFA BEFORE YOUR CHILD CAN PARTICIPATE IN ANY RYFA ACTIVITY.

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PLAYER’S CODE OF CONDUCT

1. I will attend all practices and games;

2. I will be coach‐able and ready to learn and have fun;

3. I will give 100% at all practices and games;

4. I will be a team player and put my team first;

5. I will always display a good and positive attitude;

6. I will demonstrate good sportsmanship;

7. I will obey and listen to my coaches;

8. I will show respect to all adults, coaches, players, teammates and officials at all times;

9. I will not allow myself to display anger, use foul language, obscene gestures, fight, or argue with any

coach, opposing player or teammate;

10. I will always come to practice with the proper equipment;

11. I will have respect for all the equipment;

12. And most importantly I will continue to do my best in school while participating in at RYFA.

I understand it’s an honor and privilege to be a Rockdale Youth football player or cheerleader, and I will work hard and strive to do my best to uphold my team’s name, on and off the field.

Player/Cheerleader’s Signature Date

Player/Cheerleader’s Name (Please Print Neatly)

THIS MUST BE SIGNED AND RETURNED TO RYFA BEFORE YOUR CHILD CAN PARTICIPATE IN ANY RYFA ACTIVITY.

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2017 RYFA Flag Football and Cheer Experience Event Calendar

March 18th – Parent Meeting

March 23rd – Players & Coaches Combine

March 25th – Draft Day and Cheer Uniform Fitting

April 1st ‐ Preseason Jamboree Begins

April 8th – 1st Game and Picture Day

April 22nd ‐ Homecoming

May 13th ‐ Tournament Day

a letter from the president of ryfa football and cheerleading both are fun, exciting, and teach life...

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