Purpose Statement                                                                                             3

2008 Napa Saints Board of Directors                                                              4

Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference                                                         5

Coaching Requirements                                                                                     6

Player Registration & Certification Requirements                                           6

Conference and League Rules                                                                          8

Football Requirements                                                                                     10

Cheer Requirements                                                                                      13

Practice Information                                                                                       14

Season Schedule                                                                                           16

Game Day Times                                                                                           17

Parent Participation                                                                                       17

Communication                                                                                              19

Vice President                                                                                Steve Kaiser

Secretary                                                                                         Barb Ruffino

Treasurer                                                                                         Laura Forster

Athletic Director                                                                             Steve Lopez

Cheer Coordinator                                                                         Staci O’Kelly

Member at Large                                                                           Dave Bryant

Boosters                                                                                         Kathy Franco

Concessions                                                                                  Dawn Madole

Asst. Cheer Coordinator                                                              Maggi Saude

Publicity                                                                                          Nancie Cameron/Barb Nunn

Sponsorship                                                                                  Rich LoCicero/Keith May

Equipment Manager                                                                     Frank Villanueva

Asst. Equipment Manager                                                          Jacob Ray

Signups/Parent Participation                                                     Jennifer Hardwick

NSYF Coaches and Board Members are dedicated to providing quality supervision and safety while teaching the fundamentals of youth football and cheerleading in a positive environment.

We feel that NSYF offers an unparalleled, positive and supportive environment for our young athletes to learn about tackle football and cheerleading. Our goal is for them to have fun, maintain a positive attitude, and strive for academic excellence.

We are proud to be affiliated with the Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference. The general purpose of DVYFC is to inspire youth, regardless of race, creed, national origin, or gender, to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship, and physical fitness.

The specific objectives of the football program are to familiarize all football players with the fundamentals of football, to provide an opportunity to play the game in a supervised, organized and safety-oriented manner, and to keep the welfare of the participants free of any adult ambition and personal glory.

The specific objectives of the cheer program are to provide all cheerleaders with a safe, organized and supervised environment, while to encourage individual participation, self-confidence, neatness and teamwork.

The DVYFC produces an official, in-depth Rule Book, which includes important safety regulations and other guidelines that promote a quality experience for all athletes. It is the responsibility of all coaches, board members, and every person involved in DVYFC to read and know the rules of the Conference.

DVYFC is composed of the following organizations:

Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher, an autobiography, and an essay. DVYFC awards these outstanding scholars with a $50 Savings Bond and a Recognition Plaque at an Awards Banquet. Information regarding the Conference program will be provided during the season.

For more information, see the DVYFC website: www.dvyfc.net

The Athletic and Cheer Directors provide a list of candidates to the Board of Directors for approval. In the event that more than one candidate applies for a Head Coach position, the Board will interview each candidate before a final vote is made through a written ballot.

Assistant Coaching positions are filled by the Head Coaches with input and approval from the Athletic/Cheer Directors.

All coaches must be currently certified in CPR and First Aid, be a current member of the DVYFC chapter of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), and successfully pass DVYFC background check.

Anyone may submit a request to coach (coaching fulfills your Parent Participation requirement). A parent may coach his/her child’s team but it is highly suggested that the parent not be directly responsible for coaching his or her own child.

Every participant must submit a signed statement from an examination physician that the candidate is physically fit and able to participate in football or cheer.

Upon receipt of participant’s Sign-Up form, NSYF will provide participant with an official DVYFC physical card, which must be signed by the child’s physician and dated within the past two calendar years. No participant my be eligible to practice or play unless he or she has submitted this signed physical card.

All participants are required to attend Saints Day for both Cheer and Football to complete and submit all necessary paperwork. A parent/guardian must accompany the player/cheerleader.

This day is mandatory for all cheerleaders and mascots as uniform and shoe fitting will be conducted at this time.  We ask that at least one parent/guardian accompany their child in order to complete and sign the required paperwork.  Please see "Calendar" icon on the NSYF website (www.napasaints.com) for specific date, times and location.

The following documentation will be submitted:

a. Child's birth certificate (official copy with seal).

b. Signed DVYFC physical card

Participant will be photographed for their player card and signing all required paperwork.  Parents will also be completing and signing paperwork and will have the opportunity to sign-up for their mandatory volunteer assignments and times (see Parent Participation).

Coaches will be available at this time for you and your child to meet and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have with regards to the program. 

WEIGH-IN DAY (FOOTBALL ONLY) July  2008– This weigh-in is MANDATORY for all players and we ask that at least one parent accompany their child in order to complete and sign required paperwork.  Weigh-ins is held in the Redwood Middle School cafeteria. Please see "Calendar" on the NSYF website (www.napasaints.com) for specific date and times.

The following documentation will be submitted:

a. Child's Birth Certificate (official copy with seal) New Participants Only. NO photocopies or hospital certifications will be accepted. These will be returned to you during the first part of September.

b. Official DVYFC Physical Card signed and dated by a physician. The official DVYFC Physical Card is the ONLY ACCEPTABLE form to verify the health of your athlete. No copies or other releases can be accepted. NSYF will provide participant with a physical card upon receipt of Sign-Up form and registration fee.

Participant will also be weighed, photographed for their player card, and signing required paperwork.  Parents will also have the opportunity to sign-up for their mandatory volunteer assignments and times (see Parent Participation).  

Coaches will be available at this time for you and your child to meet, and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have with regards to the program

Parents should refrain from interfering with coaches during practice. Any issues are to be addressed outside of practice and in a positive manner. Parents are not allowed in the locker rooms, on the field, or on the sidelines during games (unless they are performing Parent Participation duties). Sportsmanlike conduct should be shown towards all players, coaches and officials.

Participants are required to attend all practices and games. Missed practices may result in less game time and possible dismissal from the team.

Pursuant to DVYFC rules, if a participant misses three (3) unexcused games, their player card will be turned into the Conference, along with the proper drop form that has been signed by the Head Coach and NSYF President. Participant must be cleared through the Conference before they will be allowed to participate in any further games. If participant’s absence is due to injury, a doctor’s excuse is required before the third missed game for reinstatement. Reinstatement is at the discretion of DVYFC.

Vulgarity, temper-tantrums, and other negative displays or comments will not be tolerated at any time and may be cause for dismissal. Respect and sportsmanlike conduct must be shown to players, parents, instructors, coaches, referees and board members at all times. Athletes should exhibit an inclusive attitude to all athletes and should refrain from making put downs toward other players or other organizations within DVYFC.

Appropriate clothing and shoes must be worn at every practice unless stated otherwise by the Head Coach.

Football: For the first week of football, only shorts and a white T-shirt will be required.  Your child's last name should be printed in 3-inch block letters on this T-shirt, both front and back.  Football cleats are required and only rubber molded cleats are allowed. 

METAL OR SCREW-IN CLEATS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN 

Participant will be issued the following equipment upon completion of required 10 hours of conditioning and payment of participation/equipment fee:

All equipment is provided on a rental basis only and must be returned upon completion of the season. Players will keep

Cheer: Cheer will be issued a practice shirt on the first day of practice.  Girls are asked to wear this practice shirt to all practices and must wear tennis shoes at all times.  Any other clothing (shorts, sweats, warm-ups, sweatshirts, etc) worn during practices must be in compliance with Saints’ colors (black, gold/yellow and white) and dress standards.  No cropped tops or spaghetti straps are allowed. 

Participant will be issued the following equipment upon completion of conditioning requirement and payment of participation/equipment fee:

No jewelry, nail polish, or make-up of any kind may be worn during practices, games, or competitions. Cheerleaders must keep their hair tied back during all practices and games.

The beauty of youth football in the DVYFC is that it matches up participants not just by their age but also by their size. The age and weight limits are strictly enforced for safety reasons. Players are certified as to their age and weight prior to the start of the season and are then weighed prior to each game to make sure that they still meet weight limits.

Playing age is defined as the participant's age on August 1, 2008. For new participants an original birth certificate or a certified copy from their county of birth. NSYF must submit this document to the Conference for "Official Certification" purposes.  All birth certificates or legal documents are returned after the first game of the season. Please note that notarized copies, photocopies, hospital certificate, etc., are not acceptable. If the required proof of age is not submitted, your child will not be able to participate in the NSYF program.

DVYFC allows "Older-Lighters" at the Peewee and Jr. Midget levels only.  These are participants who cannot make the minimum weight at their age-designated division of play.  The maximum number of four (4) Older-Lighters is allowed per squad.  The qualifying weights are listed on the table above.  Consideration of an Older-Lighter registration is based on 1) if child cannot make the minimum weight of his/her age-designated playing level; and 2) date of registration (first come-first serve basis).  After August 1, when practice has commenced, parents may petition the Board of Directors to have their child placed on a squad as an Older-Lighter, if space allows for such request.

The weight requirements listed above must be met at "Official Weigh-ins" and on the first game of the season.  The weight limits increase by one pound for each week as the season progresses.

ROSTERS/SQUAD ASSIGNMENTS: All teams must have a minimum of 20 players, with 18 suited up and ready to play for each game. The maximum number of players on a team is 35.

Pursuant to DVYFC rules, we are only allowed 35 players per squad. This means that NSYF is a "cut" program. 

It is fundamental to our organization's philosophy that every interested young athlete has an equal opportunity to sign-up, tryout and participates. We therefore will not limit our sign-ups. We will provide the opportunity for each young athlete to do his or her best at the tryouts and practices so that their individual efforts will continue to be the major factor in determining who makes the team.

When we do have more athletes signed up than will fit on our limited rosters, we must select those participants who in each Head Coach's estimation will best fit his/her team. The decision as to who gets "cut" rests solely with that teams' Head Coach and the Athletic Director. Their decisions are only reached after serious consideration of all relevant factors and are final.

We deeply regret the disappointment that is inevitable when a child is told that he or she can no longer participate. We encourage all parents to talk to their children about the necessity of "cuts" and prepare them for that possibility with love and support. Arrangements can often be made for those who are cut to join other area teams. The coaches will have more information on these options. Bear in mind that children are not all ready to play at the same time due to differences in physical and mental maturity. We often find that participants who are cut one year try out again the next year and then make the team.

NSYF is pleased to provide an instructional Scout Program for 7 to 9 year olds who weigh between 45 and 90 pounds. Initiated in 2001 by the DVYFC, the Scout Program is designed to let younger players learn and enjoy the fundamentals of tackle football. Scout players attend practice and play in scrimmage games without scorekeeping. Coaches are allowed on the field to provide instruction.

WEIGH-INS (Football Only)

One hour before every game, each player is weighed on a certified scale to verify his/her weight. Players must attend their squad’s designated weigh-in time to be eligible to participate in the game. There are NO exceptions.

After the season begins, an additional pound is added each week to the maximum weight limit. If the team qualifies for playoffs, an additional pound will also be allowed for each of the playoff games. If a participant does not make weight on game day, he/she will be declared ineligible to participate in the game. Participants who do not make weight on three (3) occasions during the season will be disqualified and ruled ineligible from participating for the remainder of the season.

MANDATORY PLAY (Football Only)

All participants are guaranteed a minimum number of plays per game, pursuant to DVYFC’s Mandatory Play Rule. The number of plays is based on the number of players making the weight requirements and suited to play on game day. The minimum plays required during the game for each participant is as follows:

CERTIFIED PERSONNEL ON FIELD

Only personnel allowed on the field during the game is the coaching staff, players, minimum play monitors, chain gang, ball boy, water boy, and board members. All authorized personnel will be provided a badge that has been issued by the DVYFC and it must be worn around the neck in plain view at all times. Parents, siblings, players from squads not playing or cheering in the currently scheduled game, and all other unauthorized people are not allowed on the field at any time before, during or after the games.

SQUAD ASSIGNMENTS

It is important that participants attempt to be in attendance and participate in all practices, games and scheduled events. Practice for our program starts on August 1, 5:30-7:30pm, at Redwood Middle School, and will be held Monday through Friday until the regular season begins. After our first game takes place, practices will be held three (3) days per week, usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Missing events only hurts your team, so please keep this in mind when you are planning family events and schedule around your commitment to our program. We understand unforeseen emergencies and illnesses do occur and view these as reasonable excused absences as long as you keep your coach informed. Any prolonged illnesses or injuries will require a doctor’s release and clearance before participant may return to the practice field.

Should the football squad qualify for the DVYFC playoffs or the Turkey Bowl Championship in November, the corresponding Cheer Squad will be required to attend postseason games. Practices will continue during this time, but may be reduced to one or two times per week.

CHEER CAMP

DVYFC hosts an annual cheer camp each year. It is a mandatory league participation camp and is paid for by Napa Saints. This camp is one (1) day event and is held at Charlotte Wood Middle School in Danville, CA. Failure to participate can result in the dismissal of the participant from the program. Mascot attendance is optional.

September          USA Cheer Competition Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA

October               JAMZ Cheer Competition Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA

November              DVYFC Conference Competition* UC-Davis Campus, Davis, CA

*These are Conference-sponsored competitions. Entrance fees for cheerleaders are included in the NSYF Participation Fees and will be paid for by NSYF.

NSYF is a seasonal program only, commencing on August 1 and ending December 31. Due to DVYFC rules and liability insurance coverage, NSYF does not promote or support the participation of any cheerleader, coach or cheer squad who may have qualified for any or all National Cheer Competitions during the regular season under the Napa Saints organization.

Practice begins each year on August 1 at Redwood Middle School.  From August 1 to the first game of the season (Sept. 6, 2008), practice is held five (5) nights per week from 5:30-7:30pm and is MANDATORY. After the first game, practices will be held three (3) nights per week from 5:30-7:30pm and is also MANDATORY (times may change slightly due to darkness).

Participants may only begin practice if all required certification documents and fees have been received by NSYF. The DVYFC-issued physical card must be signed and dated by child’s physician and submitted to NSYF before player/cheerleader will be allowed to practice.

For the first week of football, only shorts and a white T-shirt will be required. Your child's last name should be printed on this T-shirt, both front and back, in 3-inch block letters. Football cleats are required and only rubber molded cleats are allowed. Equipment, which includes a practice jersey, pants, girdle, pads, and helmet, will be issued after player has completed the required 10 hours of conditioning. The first 10 hours of football practice are conditioning only. The fitter a participant is, the less prone they are to injury. There is no exception to this rule.

CHEER 

A practice shirt will be issued to each cheerleader on the first day of practice.  Girls are asked to wear this practice shirt to all practices and must wear tennis shoes at all times.  Any other clothing (shorts, sweats, warm-ups, sweatshirts, etc) worn during practices must be in compliance with Saints’ colors (black, gold/yellow and white) and dress standards.  No spaghetti straps on shirts or cropped shirts are allowed.  Jewelry of any kind, hair clips, and artificial nails are not allowed at any time during practices or games.

In addition, the DVYFC sponsors the Jamboree during the last weekend in August. NSYF teams will scrimmage other conference teams on either Saturday or Sunday. No scores are kept and coaches are allowed on the field to give guidance. Cheerleaders have the opportunity to practice their routines in front of the fans during the Jamboree. The day and location is determined by the DVYFC and this information will be provided as soon as it is becomes available.

NSYF regular season consists of nine (9) games which are played on Saturdays. The season also may be extended to include playoff games and the final championship game, the Turkey Bowl, which all occur during November. 

All Home games are played at Justin-Siena High School, located at 4026 Maher Street in Napa. Each Thursday, your child will receive the "TOUCHDOWN REPORT" which is our weekly newsletter that communicates to the parents and players important information, including volunteer assignments for home games, game times, and directions to the away games. NOTE:  If your child misses 3 games during the season, their player card is pulled by the DVYFC and they will be dismissed from our program.

Following the last game of the season, the top performing teams will participate in playoff games culminating in the TURKEY BOWL, a day full of championship games at each level. Some of our teams have had the opportunity to participate in playoff games and/or the Turkey Bowl in the past and have life-long memories of these experiences.

Practices for both any qualifying football squad and their corresponding cheer squad will continue three (3) days per week until eliminated from the playoffs.

Cheerleaders should come fully dressed in their uniform and should bring water.

Football players should bring their gear to put on after official weigh-ins. Always bring both game jerseys to all games. Typically, white game jerseys are worn for away games and the black game jerseys for home games.

NOTE: Not all organizations use the same schedule for their games. Be sure to check your weekly Touchdown Report for that week’s CHECK-IN, WEIGH-IN, and GAME times.

NSYF would not exist without the strong commitment from our families. As a parent, there are multiple opportunities for you to support our program throughout the year. Your efforts will not only help ensure that your child has a positive experience this year, but will ensure that the program exists for many years to come.

Your participation hours can be fulfilled easily and quickly. Parents need to accumulate at least eight (8) hours per athlete by assisting in the following job positions at home games:

Volunteering as a Coach, Team Parent, or Board Member also fulfills your Parent Participation requirement.

Our website is full of information. It is a great place to go for the most up-to-date and accurate information. Check it out frequently.

If you have any questions or concerns, your Coaches, Team Parents, and Board Members will be happy to help. Just ask!

Napa Saints Youth Football & Cheer                                                              WEBSITE: www.napasaints.com

P.O. Box 2822