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2011 PAL-MAC YOUTH
FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING
HANDBOOK
This handbook is meant to provide your family information regarding our program. Feel free to contact any board member with questions, concerns, ideas and comments you may have regarding our program. Each year may bring new changes therefore, please take the time to read this handbook. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call on a board member.
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Robert Sloan 585-750-7665
Vice President Shelly Baker 315-597-3865
Secretary Jessica Middleton 585-478-0777
Registration Director Christina Leere 315-879-8211
Treasurer Kristena Clark 585-216-5924
DIRECTORS
Athletic Director Ron Hickman 315-879-7805
Cheer Director Ami Williams 315-398-3911
Football Equipment Director Chris Moyer 315-521-5996
Cheer Equipment Director Tara Lush 585-330-6085
Medical Director Teresa Ayers 585-329-6691
Public Relations Director Ed Black 585-797-7934
Workers Board Coordinator Lisa Garrow 585-802-3408
Concessions Director OPEN
League Representative Laurie Van Scott 585-281-9361
HEAD COACHES
A-Team Football Larry Mooney 585-259-5924
B-Team Football Chris Moyer 315-521-5996
C-Team Football Tom Baker 315-597-3865
Flag Football Dave Sweeney 585-615-5697
A-Team Cheer Tami McDonald 585-469-1348
B-Team Cheer Ami Williams 315-398-3911
C-Team Cheer Emily Henning 315-879-5484
Flag Cheer Rebecca Black 585-797-3820
Website Address: WWW.palmacyouth.com
Our website has a great deal of information and links to other websites. It is consistently updated so please check this frequently. Again this year we will be posting the newsletter on-line. We will also be communicating via e-mail to each e-mail address on file. Please make sure that your e-mail address is current.
BOARD MEETINGS:Board Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of every month at 7:30 pm. They are held at the Palmyra Community Center (unless otherwise noted on the website). All are welcome to attend. Please check the website for updated location and time changes.
We welcome new individuals who would like to help with fundraising, join committees and volunteer in other capacities.
We are in need of parents/grandparents with first aid and CPR cards in good standing who would be willing to stay at practices and act as medics on call. Please speak to a Board Member/Director if this interests you. If you would like to be a medic, our league will reimburse you for your training. We need to have a safe environment for our children and we are asking for volunteers to help.
CONTRACTS:Every participant has been provided a contract during registration. This contract includes participant information, parent’s signature, participant’s signature, copy of birth certificate, a recent photo and a valid insurance carrier and number. This is a signed agreement that the participant is making with Pal-Mac Youth Football and Cheerleading. Please take time to ensure that you understand the obligation that you are undertaking and the ramifications if they are not met.
PHYSICALS:Every participant is required to have a physical, including Flag. Forms will be available at registration or on the website at www.palmacyouth.com. All physicals must be dated after August 1st 2010; physicals dated August 1st 2010 or prior will NOT be accepted. NO Participant is allowed to practice without a completed physical form. If you have any questions regarding physicals for your child, it is your responsibility to call the league Registration Director.
CONTRACTS & PHYSICALS NEED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE YOUR CHILD CAN STEP ON THE FIELD TO PRACTICE/PLAY; THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD.
If your child’s registration paperwork, including a completed physical evaluation (dated
AFTER August 1, 2010) has not been completed and turned in by July 1st:
• Your child will be placed on a waiting list, (for the team that your child is assigned to).
• Your child will NOT be allowed to practice with the team no exceptions will be made.
• Only after ALL required paperwork is completed and handed in to the Registration Director, will your child move off the waiting list and be allowed to practice with the team.
DOCTOR’S RELEASE:If your child is under doctor’s care for sickness, injuries or allergies, the league will need a doctor’s release stating that your child is able to participate. It’s the Parents Responsibility to ensure that this paperwork is completed and is on file. Please ensure that if your child requires medication that you and the prescribed medicine are readily available. If your child has Asthma, we will need a note signed by your child’s doctor that your child is able to participate. Children will NOT be allowed to play/practice with out this information.
FOOTBALL PLAYER WEIGHT LIMITS:Every team has an age, grade and/or weight limit, set by Finger Lakes Youth Football and Cheerleading. Football Players are weighed in before each game and cannot weigh more than the maximum weight for their team. If the player is concerned about their weight there is always a scale to use at practice. A player will only play on the team where they are certified.
Flag is a non-contact game with no weight requirements.
WEIGHT & AGE LIMITS FOR 2010 per the Finger Lakes League as of 1/31/2009:
Players: age’s 6 to 14 years
Flag Players 6 & 7 years No weight limit
C Team Football 8 & 9 years Minimum Weight — 50
Maximum Weight — 125
10 years (lightweight) Weight up to — 80
B Team Football 9 - 11 years Weight under — 140
12 years (lightweight) Weight up to — 90
A Team Football 10 years (heavyweight) Minimum Weight — 130
11-13 years Weight under — 165
14 years (lightweight) Weight up to — 135
Cheerleaders: age’s 6 to 15 years
Flag Cheerleading 6 & 7 years (grades 1st & 2nd)
C Team Cheerleading 7 -9 years (grades 3rd & 4th)
B Team Cheerleading 9 -11 years (grades 5th & 6th)
A Team Cheerleading 11 -15 years (grades 7th – 9th)
To participate:
• Football Players must be 8 years by August 1, 2010, and cannot turn 15 years
Before August 1, 2010.
• Cheerleaders must be 7 years before August 1, 2010, and cannot turn 16 years
Before August 1, 2010.
• Flag participants must be entering the 1st grade in September 2011 of the current season and/or 6 years old by August 1, 2010.
Please Note this is subject to change when the FLYFCL makes its 2011 changes
WEIGHT: If your child is a heavyweight/lightweight, he/she must be within 10 pounds of the maximum weight allowed for their team at the certification in August. If your child is over the maximum weight limit, he/she can move up to the next team (if the age limits allow) or loose weight to meet guidelines. Lightweights must be at or below weight at Certification time. It is in both the parents and the coaches’ best interest to keep track of the player’s progress. We do not encourage drastic dieting of any kind; we promote healthy and safe goals for your child. Please check the age/weight chart on the prior page. If you have any concerns please consult your doctor.
Being part of a team is a commitment. Like all sports, there are rules that must be followed. Both Football and Cheerleading require a lot of practice, hard work and a devotion to teamwork. All prior commitments should be taken into consideration before deciding to participate in the Pal-Mac Youth Football/Cheerleading program. Please address any concerns with your child’s Coach as soon as they become known.
PRACTICES:
PRACTICES ARE MANDATORY! If youneed to miss a practice please discuss this with your Coach as soon as possible. Missed practices may determine how much playing /cheering time your child will receive on game day. You must attend 12 practices before the first game (soccer games = practice). You must have 10 conditioning hours before stunting. Two practices' a week must be attended, to be eligible to participate in that week's game.
Absolutley, no gum during practice or games. Polish may be worn during practices but not during games and/or competitions. If you are wearing polish at a game you will be benched. No jewelry of any kind (including livestrong and/or boobies bracelets, etc.) is to be worn during practice or games, except medic bracelets, which must be taped, no other jewelry can be taped. Cheerleaders are required to wear t-shirts, comfortable shorts/pants and athletic sneakers. No denim material of any kind, no sandals or flat bottom sneakers and no tank tops. You are expected to come to practice with your hair up (away from your face), no barrettes or clips of any kind are permitted, and bobby pins are allowed. Football players are required to wear league issued practice equipment. If you are not wearing proper practice attire, you will not participate in practice and will be sent home.
Parents must be sure the coaches know they are here to pick up their child/children before the coaches will let the players/cheerleaders leave at the end of practice.
• Vacationswill need to be discussed with your child’s Coach ahead of time.
If the above practice requirements are not discussed and your child does not show up for practice your child will be considered a no show and dropped from the roster.
Practice for all players and cheerleaders (A, B, C) will begin onthe 1st Monday in August at 5:30pm,
Practice for all Flag Football and Cheerleading will begin on the 1st Tuesday in August at 5:30pm.
August Practices
Football Players M, T, W, & TH 5:30 — 8:00 P.M.
Cheerleaders M,T,W, & TH 5:30 — 8:00 P.M.
Flag Football T, W, & TH 5:30 — 7:30 P.M.
Flag Cheerleaders T, W, & TH 5:30 — 7:30 P.M.
September and October Practices
Football Players T,W, & TH 5:30 TBD by the Athletic Director
Cheerleaders T,W, & TH 5:30 TBD by the Cheer Director
Flag Football T, & TH 5:30 TBD by the Athletic Director
Flag Cheerleaders T, & TH 5:30 TBD by the Cheer Director
As we progress into the year the practices will get SHORTER. Keep updated by visiting our website and communicating with your childs coach. As practices get shorter, Saturday practices may be an option, you will be advised of this by your child's coach.
At times, the Cheerleaders may have alternative practice dates and/or locations. The Cheer director will notify the teams of all changes in the schedule.
All practices will be held at the Palmyra - Macedon Intermediate School unless otherwise noted. Practices are very important and attendance is expected.
NO DOGSare allowed on school property at any practice. This is a Pal Mac School rule and we must enforce this.
Please be considerate of the Coaches time and be prompt about dropping off and picking up your children. We encourage you to stay during the practices and watch your child learn.
In the event of an emergency and the parent/emergency contact is not present or available via phone a decision by the medical staff will be made to have your child taken by ambulance to the hospital. This child will be accompanied by a coach or a board member.
**It is very important to ensure all of your
Contact information is accurate**
Players are placed on the team for which he/she is eligible by weight and age. This will not be determined or guaranteed at the time of registration.
Players must have 10 hours of conditioning practice, before they can have physical contact/stunting.
All participants must attend a minimum of TWO practice's each week to be eligible to play/cheer in that week’s game. Each player whom is eligible is guaranteed 10 plays per game.
We practice and play in all kinds of weather, please dress your child appropriatley. If lightening begins during practice it will be cancelled immediatley. The league will use an air horn to notify the teams during practice that the children must come off the field immediately.
If during a game lightening is sighted the referees will follow the rules set forth by the league and we must accept the decision of the referee(s).
IF YOU ARE NOT AT PRACTICE AND YOU SPOT LIGHTENING, PLEASE COME AND PICK UP YOUR CHILD IMMEDIATELY. MAKE SURE THAT THE PHONE NUMBER(S) ON YOUR PAPERWORK IS KEPT CURRENT.
EATING AND BEVERAGES: It is suggested that the participants eat about one hour before practice; this gives the food time to settle. Keep the meals light and your child will be less likely to get a stomachache, especially during the hot weather. Please ensure that your child has adequate water at every practice. The league does not supply individual water bottles for the children. Please ensure that your child’s name is clearly marked on the container. Your child is responsible for taking care of their trash at the end of practice. It is not the league/coaches responsibility to pick up after your child.
CONCESSION STAND: Water and Gatorade will be available at all practices. Snacks as well as a limited food menu will be made available at each practice.
CERTIFICATION:A representative from the league will come to the practices in August to certify every participant. Certification consists of checking each contract and meeting every participant. Players will be weighed without equipment on if needed. It is mandatory that your child be present on this night. If even one participant is absent, certification cannot be completed for the team. If the participant is not certified, they do not participate in any scrimmages or games until they are certified. It will be the PARENTS responsibility to get their child certified if they are absent during certification night in August. The Registration Director will work with you trying to find additional times/places where your child can be certified. A player’s weight must be within 10 lbs. of their teams limit at certification with no exceptions!
GAMES & SCHEDULES:A 2011 Game schedule will be given to all participants and will be available on the website once finalized by the league. Home games will be played at the Palmyra - Macedon Middle School Football Field. Parents are responsible for transportation to BOTH Home & Away games. An update with a location, date, time and map will be available on the website. This year again the league will provide a limited number of hard copies at the concession stand on last day of practice each week. All players/cheerleaders are expected to arrive at all games 1 - 1.5 hours before the game starts, for warm ups and weigh in prior to the game, unless noted different by your Child's Coach. IF YOU ARE NOT AT A GAME ON TIME, YOU WILL NOT CHEER/PLAY THE FIRST QUARTER!
Game times are as follows:
* Flag Team Games will be announced 9:00 am
* C Team will begin at 10:00am Prompt!
* A Team will immediately follow the C Team game
* B Team will immediately follow the A Team game
Flag football will be played before the start of the C Team game. Parents should check with Coaches to see if any additional help is needed.
All football parents are expected to sit in the bleachers and not be on the field during the games. Players, Coaches and workers (Chains, 10 Play, Medic) having business on the field are the only ones allowed on the field before, during or after the games. If their child is hurt the coach may ask the parent to come onto the field if needed.
Pal-Mac Youth Football is not affiliated with the school district, however we are allowed to use the fields for practice as well as on game day as a favor, please keep this in mind. Do not litter or destroy any property, no smoking or pets are allowed on school grounds including the parking lot during practices or at a game. Please be sure that you pick up after yourselves at all games both home and away. Keeping the fields clean is a direct reflection of our league.
Always check the website. Schedules and other events to put on your calendars such as, equipment handouts, picture day, fundraising information, scrimmages, equipment turn-ins and the year-end banquet will be posted. There will be a Weekly Newsletter available on the website for you to download. Please read this very important newsletter as it contains pertinent information. If you do not have access to the internet there will be a limited amount of hard copies available at the concession stand on Thursday.
MANDATORY Parents Meeting will be announced before the season starts.
PARENT BEHAVIOR:We ask that you remember at all times that this is not the NFL, Collegiate or even High School Football/Cheerleading. Please keep comments positive and encouraging. We do not try out or cut kids from this program based on skill. For some, this is the first time participating in a sport. We want them to be successful, but first and foremost we also want them to obtain the necessary skills.We ask that you set a positive example for all children. The Coaches have a very difficult job and they are not compensated in any way, other than the enjoyment they get from teaching YOUR children. Not all plays will work, not all calls will be good, and not all rules are like the NFL. So, shout your encouragement and keep the negative positive. We are working with “children” and they need as much positive reinforcement from us as possible!
Parents who are deemed to be threatening or using profanity will be asked to leave the fields immediately.
PARTICIPANT BEHAVIOR:All participants are to be respectful to ALL of the coaches, assistants, board members, fellow team members, opponents, and officials at all times. For the safety and well-being of the players/cheerleaders, poor attitude or uncooperative behavior will not be tolerated. Participants must be willing to learn and cooperate with others. Good Sportsmanship is a must. This is a team sport and participants must learn to work together as a team. No smoking, no drugs, no alcohol or use of profanity will be tolerated! Violations could result in a dismissal from the team. We understand not all players and cheerleaders are of equal athletic ability, but we do expect all participants to give 100% at practices, scrimmages and games. Any participant that has violated any of the above mentioned rules could and will be asked to leave.
MEDICAL ATTENTION:We are required to have individuals trained in first aid at practice every night as well as games. However, we are in need of extra help this year; if you are, or would like to become, CPR and First Aid certified please speak to a Board Member and/or the Medical Director. The ambulances are volunteer organizations and help us whenever needed. In the event your child becomes injured, all decisions are made by the medical personnel, as to whether they can play, stay, or be transported to the hospital.
INSURANCE:PMYFCL has medical insurance coverage which is considered to be secondary coverage. Your own insurance is processed first, after your own insurance carrier has paid, you the parent/guardian have paid a $250.00 deductible, and then FLYFCL insurance goes into effect. Please submit the original bill, with a copy attached to the Medical Director so that the paperwork can be filed with the league, and keep a copy for yourself. All injuries need to be reported to the medical director immediately so that an injury form can be filled out.
Please remember, once an injury form is filled out, we will need a Doctors release statement with a copy of the injury form, submitted to the Medical Director of the League permitting the child to come back to practice. If we do not have a release on file your child will NOT practice or play.
All insurance documentation and claims are to be sent to:
PAL-MAC YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING LEAGUE
PO BOX 32
PALMYRA, NY 14522
UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT:Parents are responsible for equipment and uniforms, and you and your child will be signing for them. You are responsible for making sure that All signed out uniforms/equipment is receive back in good condition or you will be charged for the replacement cost. PLAYERS DO NOT CUT THE SLEEVES OF PRACTICE JERSEY’S. If the uniform/equipment does not fit please see the Equipment Director for proper fitting. All players/cheerleaders are responsible for bringing all "PIECES" of their uniform to practice and games.
Uniform "try on" date is still yet to be determined, you will be notified when a date and place has been finalized. This is MANDATORY for all players/cheerleaders. Please wear clothing that the uniform/equipment can be tried on over, as we will not be changing in the bathrooms. Some equipment is provided for you by the League and other equipment will need to be purchased by the parent/guardian in order to participate.
Please do not use bleach on the uniforms or scrub them with a hard brush, this will definitely damage them. For tough stains soak them in a bucket with Sunlight Dish Soap before washing. Stain sticks also work well. Cheerleading outfits should be washed in cold water then line dried.
Football Players:A uniform and one mouth guard is provided, players are responsible for an athletic supporter cup and proper shoes (Cleats are optional). Uniform handouts TBD.
Any players with questions on the proper fitting or adjustment of the equipment (shoulder pads, helmet, pads in girdle/pants etc…) should direct these to the Equipment Director.
Cheerleaders:A uniform is provided (shell and skirt), parent/guardians are responsible for lollies, white no show socks, league required sneakers, hair bow, clear rain poncho, red gloves and cheer bag. Selected items that are required will be available to order for purchase at uniform "try on". Cheerleader uniform handout TBD.
ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE CONDUCT AND EXPECTATIONS SET FORTH BY PMYFCL. IF ABOVE CONDUCT AND EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS COULD AND WILL BE TAKEN; WRITTEN WARNING, PARENTS CONTACTED, BENCHED FROM PRACTICE/GAME, DISMISSED FROM PRACTICE/GAME AND/OR DISMISSED FROM REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.
COACHING & BOARD MEMBER CERTIFICATION:All Pal-Mac Youth Football/Cheerleading Coaches have attended the mandatory Coaching Clinic, have passed a thorough background check, are certified with the National Youth Sports Coaches Association, (NYSCA) and are in good standing. This clinic is mandatory in 37 states for youth sports coaching age’s 5-14 years. Also all Board Members have successfully passed a thorough background check as well.
PICTURE DAY:We will have the team pictures as well as individual pictures taken once during the year. Everyone is included in the team picture, even if you prefer not to order an individual packet. Date and time will be announced later.
FIVE-YEAR PARTICIPATION: Every participant that has participated in the program for five consecutive years (not including flag program) and has completed all the required activities is eligible to receive a gift from the league at the year end banquet.
FUNDRAISERS:We will run One mandatory fund-raiser unless you purchased the buy out. We ask that you encourage your child to put as much effort as possible into these events. This is your child’s way of contributing to the program. It is important that money is collected and turned in by the due dates specified, COINS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Failure to turn in the fundraising money will result in your child becoming ineligible to play/cheer in the next game regardless if they attend practice. Any bounced checks incur an additional 25.00 fee. If you have any questions regarding any fundraising activity please see the leagues Public Relations Director.
PARENT PARTICIPATION:This program is run totally by volunteers. PARENTS OF A, B, C TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK TWICE FOR EACH CHILD INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM. FLAG PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER ONLY ONCE PER CHILD.
Jobs are defined below:
· Set Up - Concession Stand - see below, Field - Setting up markers, cones, chains and placing trash bags in all trash containers.
· Concession Stand - Set Up - Prepping foods/beverages, filling coolers, preparing/filling condiment table, cooking, hanging menu's and setting up order tickets. Game Time - Cook, asst. cook, cashier, order taker, beverage preparer, stock person, cleaner/dishwasher and candy counter. Clean Up - Empty trash/recycles, wash all dishes, wipe down all counters, tables, appliances, empty out all coolers, cleaning the grill, store all unused food and beverages in proper holding areas, and asst. in loading all products in vehicle. After each home game, persons will be responsible for cleaning up the concession stands, stadium stands and the field of all debris.
· Chains and Down Marker-This is a three person team on the sidelines, 2 people will be responsible for moving the “chains” and 1 person will be responsible for keeping downs.
· Spotter-One person in the announcer’s booth to help the announcer spot the plays and jersey numbers during the home games only.
· 10 Plays –Those players who are eligible will participate in a minimum of 10 plays during a game, this has to be recorded, two people, one on each side of the field will keep track of the plays per player. A team roster and a recording sheet will be provided.
· 50/50 Raffle ticket sales-Two individuals will walk the grounds selling tickets until half time.
· Security- Ensure that children are not endangering themselves. Monitoring the baseball field, soccer field, tennis courts and back/side parking lot. Ensuring proper behavior among all spectators. Assist in direction and handicap transportation with the cart provided by the school.
· Trash/Restrooms- Monitor/Restock restrooms, empty all trash cans (bathrooms, stands, fields, concessions).
· Article Writer- During each game writes about different events that took place on the field and sidelines re: our players/cheerleaders. After each game gather and submit them to the Workers Board Coordinator.
· Clean Up - Empty all trash cans/recycles, pick up trash from both set of stands, fields and restrooms.
You as the parent will need to decide if you want to watch your child play or work during their game. You always have the option of signing up for the game before or after your child plays so you can enjoy their game. There will be a sign-up sheet during the first weeks of practice. The website will list the time and location for sign up for the jobs. You have to work or your child will be ineligible to play. It is suggested that you sign up during your session and have an alternate choice(s) in case your first choice is not available. Please remember that you may not get the job of your choice or date you may want. Please be considerate and be on time for your scheduled shift.
It is the parent’s responsibility to contact the Workers Board Coordinator 24 hours prior to the game if unable to work and make arrangements to reschedule your shift. If the parent(s) fail to contact the workers board 24 hours prior your child will not play the following week. Immediately the parent must sign up for the next available shift/duty to full fill the obligation set forward by the league. If the parent does not fullfill their obligation on the last game of the season, the child will not play the first game of the following year. If the scheduled parent does not fullfill their obligation, but finds a replacement this does not eliminate the parent covering, from their original scheduled duties. The parent must work the first available opening (off season registration, parents meeting or during a preseason game) prior to their child playing the first regulation game.
Exceptions and changes to the board will be handled by the Worker Board Coordinator and they will assist you in finding another date/time to work. Again your child will not play if this rule is not followed.
**If you do not sign up for a position, we will assign you a position and notify you of this action.**
Thank you for your support. Together we will have a safe and successful year.
COMPLIMENTS, QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, Etc....Please bring them to any Board Members attention. At most practices and games, Board Members are available for discussion or feel free to e-mail PMYFCL on our website. You may not receive an immediate answer to your question or inquiry if it requires a decision. All decisions are discussed and voted on by the Board, not by any one individual. You may not always like the answer you receive, but we will explain the rational behind those decisions and any league rules which may apply. You are always welcome to attend the monthly Board meeting and we are always open to suggestions.
If you need additional copies of this handbook, please visit the website.
**Please remember that we are a group of VOLUNTEERS who work for free. Please be patient and help out wherever you can.
Thank You!!