Youth Football Startup

I'm in my second year as director of our league, and I will be interested to see some of the suggestions you receive. I am basically trying to restore our league which I believe will be very similar to your task.

No doubt finances will be critical, but I would advise you to define your philosophy before doing anything else. Are you primarily interested in providing a feeder system for your high school football team? Will you have any connection with your local school(s)? Is your purpose to provide recreation for kids? Is there a juvenile crime problem you wish to improve by involving kids in football? Do you want to have a competitive league where kids learn to win at all costs? Your answers to questions such as these will help define your league philosophy and purpose.

I assume you are leading this effort. As such, you are the critical link. But you must have help. If you try to do it all, you will come up short in many areas. Recruit a "board of directors". These should be folks who:

1. Love Kids
2. Love Football
3. Share your "league philosophy"
4. Have organizational skills

I have found recruiting good reliable volunteers even more difficult than fund raising. Your board must be trustworthy enough to permit you to delegate tasks to them, and have confidence the tasks will be completed.

That's all I have time for now. I'm working on seating a board myself after running myself ragged for two years. My advice: DON'T DO THAT! You will burn out and lose your passion for the game.

Check out the National Association of Youth Sports Coaches webpage. Sorry, I don't have the address, but it is easy to search out.

Keep in touch.

Good Luck!