CONNECTICUT YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING LEAGUE
MAY 8, 2014 MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner Charlie Carroll called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
ATTENDANCE:
BerlinFootball – No Cheer
BloomfieldNo Football – No Cheer
CantonNo Football – No Cheer
DurhamFootball & Cheer Present
East HamptonNo Football - Cheer Present
East HartfordFootball & Cheer Present
GlastonburyFootball & Cheer Present
HaddamNo Football – No Cheer
New HartfordFootball & Cheer Present
Rocky HillFootball Present – No Cheer
South WindsorFootball & Cheer Present
VernonFootball & No Cheer
WethersfieldFootball & Cheer Present
WindsorFootball & Cheer Present
The minutes from the April 10, 2014 meeting were APPROVED and ACCEPTED.
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) presented by David Mahery (781-635-9115). He explained that PCA takes coaching beyond the x’s and o’s. He noted that the number one complaint in sports is playing time. PCA pushes the responsibility back on the player to get them to think about:
- How can I get more playing time
- What can I do differently to make myself a better teammate
- Exercise
- Desire
- What can I do differently to make myself a better teammate
- Listen to the coaches
- Cheer the kids on the field
- Help some that don’t understand or go back and encourage a slower player when running
- Help the coach with equipment
- What can I do differently to make myself better with respect to the game.
- Know the rules of the game
- Respect the game, referee, team mom, coaches, players and self
PCA may be included as part of the coaches meeting scheduled for July 26.
John Capodice of Berlin will be holding a CT Youth Combine & Skills Clinic on June 14, 2014 from 9:00 to 3:00 for grades 3-8 and the cost is $75.00. All coaches are welcome.
Derek Roberts reported that the Scholarship Committee received 16 applications from football and 9 applications from cheer.
The Coaches Clinic will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at the Bloomfield Community Center and Charlie Carroll encouraged all coaches to attend.
USA Football – Derek Holmes will be the Player Safety Coach (PSC) for the league. This is not a required position. Derek is willing to go to and town during the season to help out. Charlie Carroll asked that each Town name a Player Safety Coach and encouraged all towns to participate.
CTYFL will cover the cost of Heads Up tackling program and Coach Membership. It was suggested that ALL coaches take the general coaching certification course and the age specific course. The CTYFL is the largest league in Connecticut to adopt USA Football.
There was a question regarding helmets, and Derek Holmes reported that there are no changes to the helmets, but suggested migrating to new technologies. He noted that all helmets should be reconditioned and have proper fitting. He also noted to be careful with the helmets in order not to void the warranty on the helmets.
Ernie Mazzarella, Public Relations – nothing to report.
Mark Holmes, Treasurer – reported on how the CTYFL money is used. The League donates to each town and is reimbursed through the cheer competition; CTYFL will subsidize each town for the PCA. Donations from Dick’s Sporting Goods will be looked into.
Dues: $475
$175/each town
$25/team
$50/cheer (no charge for MM)
Mark Holmes also reported on the scheduling procedure and noted that the objective is to cross over team schedules. If any towns have any restrictions, please contact Mark to let him know.
Looking to establish better blowout guidelines. That doesn’t mean to rewrite the rules, just suggestions on conduct, such as playing 9 on defense, not putting your starting defense in to stop a drive, etc.
Jen Sass Dragan reported that Bloomfield has offered to host the Cheer Competition, pending town approval. She also reported that the CTYFL will participate in States.
Charlie Carroll reported that New Hartford will be getting new uniforms and there is no issue with Berlin on colors.
DISCUSSION:
East Hartford asked if there were a specific number of referees needed at each games. It was explained that at least three referees were required at each game and only three referees are paid.
Charlie Carroll suggested that the USA Football information should be included on the Towns’ websites.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:52 p.m.