by DSmith posted 12/27/2009 New Hampshire Youth Football & Spirit Conference changed to a GRADE-BASED structure!!!
Beginning with the 2009 season our playing format changed to the American Youth Football (AYF) ALL-AMERICAN DIVISION.
The New Hampshire Youth Football & Spirit Conference (NHYFSC) member association presidents approved and voted on restructuring the football program to a Grade-Based format after much research and reviewing youth football national trends.
Bill Brown, National Football Commissioner for AYF, the largest youth football and cheer organization in the country, met with member associations and presented the All-American Division format, which has been offered by AYF for years.
In the past, the NHYFSC offered football in an age/weight restricted format. While this was well suited at the time, the Grade-Based format represents a more natural progression and development for today’s youth football players. The Grade-Based program will better align us with national trends and create a true feeder program for all of our High Schools.
What is the All American Division?
- The All American Division is a Grade-Based program that fosters participants in the same grade of similar age to play together. This will provide consistency and continuity for the players and teams through the 8th grade and onto high school. It is our belief that this change will strengthen our overall football program.
What is Grade Based?
Grade based is a grade appropriate division, protected by age without weight restrictions. The participants of this division will be together with the same children they play baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, etc. The same children they attend class with and play together at home in their back yards with. They will be with their peers at all times, in fact they’re with their peers from the 1st grade right up to 8th grade and onto high school. Click here to view the Grade Level Chart.
Why Grade Based?
The program is socially correct. You have parity at every level, each child moves with their respective team. With a grade based program you don’t have a child playing at one level this year and then have to jump up 2 levels the following year because of a growth spurt. Every child can play at the appropriate grade level. As the children progress through the program and move onto high school they know they can play with kids of all sizes
What the NHYFSC has to offer?
- 6th Grade through 8th Grade – The new Varsity/Jr. Varsity program offered at the Middle School level will help transition players to a higher level of competition prior to moving onto high school. They will continue to play national federation rules.
- 4th Grade through 6th Grade – Individual teams can be formed at each of the three competitive grade levels (4th, 5th and 6th). Participate in a schedule that leads to state playoffs and the opportunity to advance to regional and national championships. They will continue to play national federation rules.
- Instructional – A combination of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. This level will continue as our instructional level so the participants can learn and develop the skills they need to play the game of contact football.
- Flag Football, introduced in 2008, will continue to be offered to our participants ages 5 to 7. The level came about based on trends and parents request. The focus of the level is to provide a safe controlled environment to introduce these younger participants to teamwork and the game of football.
All other aspects of the conference will continue to operate in the same great manner. The NHYFSC mission is to provide an opportunity for the children to participate in a safe, structured environment that supports sportsmanship, healthy competition and academic achievement. Cheerleading will continue to follow the AYF/AYC Nationally published division format.
This is a very exciting time for the New Hampshire Youth Football & Spirit Conference, its member associations and the children of New Hampshire. This progressive change will provide all children the opportunity for improvement, expansion and advancement, within a more appropriately structured format.
Click on the Members tab to the left to find and register with an association in your area.
Sincerely
NHYFSC and Member Associations
