CYF is a USA Football certified tackle football league focused on fundamentals, teamwork, good citizenship, sportsmanship, dedication, and superior work effort. We serve 3rd-6th grade students in Northwest Allen County.
Charger Youth Cheer is a cheer program that introduces cheerleaders to both cheering and stunting alongside our weekly football games. Cheerleading is open to 1st-6th grade students in Northwest Allen County.
Is the league part of the NACS district?
CYF is located within the NACS boundaries and primarily serves the students attending their elementary and middle schools. However, the CYF organization is run independently of the NACS corporation.
Coaching
How can I become a coach?
Football coaches must successfully complete the following 2 items to be eligible to coach in our league:
Background check. This can be accessed through a link found on our website homepage. There is a small fee associated with this that the applicant is responsible for. The CYF board reviews any background checks that have been flagged to determine if that applicant is able to coach in the league.
USA Football Training. This can be accessed through a link found on our website homepage. There is a small fee associated with this that the applicant is responsible for.
Cheer coaches must successfully complete the following to coach in our league:
Background check. This can be accessed through a link found on our website homepage. There is a small fee associated with this that the applicant is responsible for. The CYF board reviews any background checks that have been flagged to determine if that applicant is able to coach in the league.
Potential coaches will NOT participate in the league or have any interaction with players/cheerleaders until all requirements are complete.
Registration
How do I register?
All registration is done electronically through the links found on our website homepage.
When is registration?
Registration typically opens in early February and closes mid-July. We do allow for some later registrations (due to moves, etc…), however, no registrations will be accepted after the first game is played.
Registration for cheer may close once the maximum number of cheerleaders have signed up.
What are my payment options?
CYF now offers a few different payment options. You can pay in full or select a 2 or 3 pay option to split the cost. The 2 and 3 pay options will automatically pull from the card you used to pay on the first of each month. ***2-pay is available until May 31st and 3-pay is available until April 30th.*** All payment plans MUST be paid in full by July 1st.
What if I decide I no longer want to play/cheer?
Registration fees for football are fully refundable up until the draft. Once a player has been drafted to a team, only a 50% refund will be issued if requested. Once the second week of practice has ended, no refunds will be issued if requested. Requests for refunds MUST be submitted via email to the league email.
Registration fees for cheer are fully refundable up until the uniform fitting. Once a cheerleader has been fitted for a uniform, only a 50% refund will be issued if requested. Once the first practice has occurred, no refunds will be issued if requested. Requests for refunds MUST be submitted via email to the league email.
Equipment
What equipment do I need to play football?
The league will issue a helmet, shoulder pads, pants, and a mouthpiece to every player during equipment handouts. Jerseys typically arrive during the first couple weeks of practice and will be distributed by coaches. Helmet, shoulder pads, and pants are returned at the end of the season. Jerseys and mouthpieces are yours to keep. Failure to return equipment at the end of the season will result in an invoice for the cost of replacement items.
Can I use my own football equipment?
Absolutely! However, you will need to sign an equipment waiver for any equipment you are providing.
What do I need to cheer?
All cheerleaders will be provided with a complete cheerleading uniform, which includes: top, skirt, bloomers, socks, hair bow, and poms. Cheerleaders will need to provide their own white cheer shoes. The cheer uniform is yours to keep.
Team Rosters
How do I get rostered to a football team?
Players that have previously played for CYF will be automatically rostered to the same team.
Siblings of players that are currently playing for CYF will be automatically rostered to the same team.
Siblings of players who are no longer playing for CYF have the option to be automatically rostered to the same team or to be evaluated and placed into the draft.
Children of current CYF coaches will be automatically rostered to the same team.
Players who are new to football with a sibling who is returning to cheer are not considered a legacy to that team and will need to participate in the draft.
Do I need to attend player evaluations?
Returning players do not need to attend player evaluations.
New players are expected to attend new player evaluations. Players will participate in a series of drills where they are given a grade by a non-coaching volunteer (i.e. CYF board members, current HS or MS football players, etc…). This grade is strictly for draft purposes and will not be shared with players or family members. These evaluations help to ensure more balanced team rosters during the draft.
How do I get rostered to a cheer squad?
Cheerleaders who have siblings playing on a football team will be rostered first to those teams.
Children of current cheer coaches will be automatically rostered to the same squad.
Every effort will be made to place returning cheerleaders on their previous squads if able.
New cheerleaders will be divided amongst the squads to ensure even numbers.
Returning cheerleaders with a sibling who is new to football will be rostered to the team that their sibling is drafted to.
Practices
When does my football team practice?
All teams have their own practice schedule determined by the availability of the coaches. Teams practice 3 evenings a week prior to the start of school and then practice 2 evenings. Once assigned to a team, your coach will be in communication with you to let you know your practice schedule.
Where does my football team practice?
All teams practice at varied locations within the boundaries of the Northwest Allen County school district. Once assigned to a team, your coach will be in communication with you to let you know your practice location.
How long are football practices?
Practices are typically 1-2 hours. Once assigned to a team, your coach will be in communication with you to let you know your practice schedule.
When does my cheer squad practice?
Practices begin in mid-July and will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7p (JV squads) and 6-7:30 (Varsity squads) until school starts. Once school starts, squads will practice either Tuesday OR Thursday dependent on which squad you are rostered to.
Where does my cheer squad practice?
Cheer practices take place at a large outdoor field on CMS grounds.
Game Days
When do games take place?
All games occur on Saturdays beginning in late August and ending in early October. Game times are typically at 9:00a, 10:30a, and 12:00p. There may be a Saturday where games are played in the late afternoon/early evening. This is done to accommodate MCMS’s football schedule. Once assigned to team, you will be able to see your game schedule on our website.
Where do games take place?
The majority of our games are played at Maple Creek Middle School. Occasionally, one of our game days takes place at Carroll Middle School due to MCMS’s football schedule.
Do you charge admission?
No. All of our games are free for family and friends to watch.
Do you offer concessions?
Yes! We have a fully stocked concession stand with lots of options for everyone. Keep an eye out each week for limited time items. We accept cash, card, and tap pay.
Are there places for spectators to sit?
If your team is playing on the Main field, you will be able to sit in the bleachers. Absolutely no spectators are allowed to stand or sit on the track.
If your team is playing on one of the side fields, you will need to bring a chair to sit.
Are pets allowed?
No. Northwest Allen County Schools do not allow pets on the property. We are guests and are grateful that we are allowed to use their facilities. We ask that you be respectful of this rule so that we can continue to maintain our partnership.
Communication
How will my coach communicate with me?
Each team uses their own method of communication to communicate with players and parents throughout the season. Most will utilize either the SportsEngine app or text messaging. Once assigned to a team, your coach will let you know how they will be communicating.
How does the league communicate with me?
CYF communicates through email and various social media platforms. CYF reserves the use of email for detailed information or when needing to relay information to a smaller group of people. The majority of communication will be done through social media (FB, Insta, or Twitter).
How can I communicate with the league?
The league regularly checks all social media platform messaging along with the league email.
Issues
Who do I contact if I have concerns?
If the issue specifically relates to the coach or team, we ask that you first have a discussion with the coaches. Unresolved issues can then be addressed by contacting the CYF board via the league email.
Any other issues can be addressed by contacting the CYF board via the league email.
CYF Board
What does the CYF board do?
The CYF board consists of volunteer members who work throughout the year to run both the Charger Youth Football League and the Charger Youth Cheer program. A lot of behind-the-scenes work takes place to ensure this league is the best in NE Indiana. Board members order equipment, create schedules, secure referees, organize registration, obtain sponsorships, evaluate rules and policies, set-up on game days, and much, much more.
How do I know who is a board member?
You can easily spot a board member on game day by their bright, neon yellow shirts. Even if the board member you find is unable to answer your question or resolve your issue, they can get ahold of someone who can.
