On-Line Registration Followed by In-Person Weigh-Ins

• In years past we have experienced difficulty getting families to complete their registration paperwork work in a timely fashion, which has caused too many headaches for the parent-volunteers.
• Therefore, we have implemented a sign-up system, which requires players to complete all registration information on-line and in advance of the weigh-in date, which serves to finalize the registration process.
• The on-line registration site will not be activated until the sign-up periods begin.
• The Rosters are limited to 35 players for each team, so it is important to complete the on-line registration and then finalize your registration in person at the first available opportunity in April.
• Registration Fees: Please go to "Sign Me Up" above, and click "Registration Fees" link.
• We will first allow returning players an opportunity to sign-up again. After that initial limited-registration period, we will then hold an open-registration period, and any remaining roster spots will be determined mostly on a first-come-first-served basis.
• You must bring your player with you on the Registration Weigh-in Date. Registration will not be finalized until the player weighs-in on the weigh-in date, because weight is generally the determining factor in roster placement. (Please go to "Football Teams", above, at the "Age & Weight Schematic" link for more information. Please also see below under "What Team Will My Child Be Placed On?")
• You must do the following at the in-person weigh-in:
1. Submit a copy of your player's birth certificate;
2. AYF Forms will be provided for you -- you must complete and sign any forms required by American Youth Football (AFY);
3. Bring 3 checks if you did not already pay on-line (one for Registration Fee, one for the Volunteer Deposit, and one for the Equipment Bag, if needed);
4. Bring copies of your complete on-line registration forms with you (and keep copies for your own records).
• You will be required to submit the following:
1. A copy of your player's End-of-Year Report Card for the 2010-2011 scholastic year (this document will need to indicate the schools name somewhere on it);
2. An AYF Medical Release Form signed by a physician clearing your player to participate in contact football. no player will be allowed to practice without this form on file. You will need to submit this form prior to, or on the date of the mandatory new parent meeting in July.

Returning On-Line Registration: Only for Returning Football Players

April 2nd, 2011 @ 8:30 am - April 15, 2011 @ 11:30pm.

Please understand that we must allow the families of returning players and cheerleaders an earlier period during which they may sign-up for the new season because they have already invested significant time and energy into learning the sport and into the success of the program generally. However, if a returning player or cheerleader fails to take advantage of the earlier sing-up period, then that player will have to take their chances signing up during the open-registration period that immediately follows.

Open On-Line Registration: Open to All Participants

April 16th - April 30th, 2011

In-Person Weigh-In

May 7th, 2011
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Terra Linda High School

To finalize the registration process, your player must be weighed-in on one of these two April Weigh-In dates. Many Coaches and Board members will be in attendance to answer any questions you may have. Bring three (3) checks if you haven't already paid on-line (one for the Registration Fee, one for the Volunteer Deposit, and one for the Equipment Bag, if needed).

Late On-Line Registration: Open to All Participants

May 1st, 2011 until closed by program)

Please be advised: If you do not both register on-line and also appear for one of the in-person registration dates in April, at best you will likely only be able to get your son's name on a waiting list. Your player will not likely secure a roster spot if registration is not finalized in person, in April. However, you are welcome to contact us to see if there are spots still available after the April sign-ups are completed.

Which Team Will My Child Be Placed On?

For a detailed explanation, please go to "Football Teams" above, at click the "Age & Weight Schematic" link.

To minimize injuries, the league divides teams up according to weight. (Please refer to article listed under "General Information", above, at the "Is Football Safe?" link.) Therefore, if your child is designated as an older/lighter 11-year-old, then he will play on the Jr. Pee Wee team with other "older/lighter" 11-year-olds and also the 10-year-olds. The player's grade-level in school is not taken into account and players will not be allowed to play outside of their weight or age range. This is a safety issue. So, an older/lighter 11-year-old will not be allowed to "play up" on the Pee Wee team just to be with his friends. This has not been an issue in the past, as players generally bond fairly quickly with their teammates, and the older/lighter players often have a better experience as they are often more skilled compared to their younger teammates.

Commitment & Length of Season

Regular Season: August - October
Playoffs: November - Mid-December

All players are expected to attend all practices and games. So plan accordingly.
Please refer to documents under "Player & Parent Obligations" for further details.

Returning On-Line Registration: Only for Returning Cheerleaders

April 17 - April 23, 2010

Please understand that we must allow the families of returning cheerleaders an earlier period during which they may sign-up for the new season because they have already invested significant time and energy into learning the sport and into the success of the program generally. however, if returning cheerleaders fail to take advantage of the earlier sign-up period, those cheerleaders will have to take their chances signing up during the open-registration period that immediately follows.

Open On-Line Registration: Open to All Participants

April 23 - May 31, 2010 (or until closed by program)

The Fees Are Comparable To Other Programs

The Central Marin Chargers Program fees are commensurate with the fees charged by other similar football programs in the Bay Area.

Southern Marin Broncos = $425 Football (2010); (No Cheer Program)

Novato Yellow Jackets = $350 Football (including jersey fee); $100 Cheer (both 2010)

The registration fees are also commensurate with the fees charged by other youth sports programs in the Bay Area.

Lacrosse = $175 - $500.

Equipment

The league issues the following to each player on each of the five teams (175 players total): helmet, chin strap, shoulder pads, practice pants, leg pads, game jerseys, and game pants. Your player is only required to provide cleats, socks, undergear, and a mouth guard. The helmets and pads are expensive and you will not have to buy new equipment each season as your son grows. The helmets are inspected regularly and are re-conditioned every two years by rule. Any helmets that do not meet inspection are not used and replacements must be purchased by the program on a yearly basis.

Field Use

The field-use permits are expensive and we pay the schools for practice and game time.

Practices

Currently, we have access to enough field space at Terra Linda High School to allow all five Central Marin teams to practice at the same field at the same time, which is important to families with multiple players participating in different age-weight classifications.

Games

All home games are played on the new all-weather turf field at the Terra Linda High School stadium, which has stands and a press box. The program either does not charge admission or charges only a nominal fee for admission to home games.

Well-Officiated Games

The officials are paid. Each of the five teams hosts approximately 6 home games each during the season, not counting playoffs. The home team is required to provide officials for each game. The games are officiated by well-trained, impartial officials.

Safe Environment

The EMTs are paid. Each home team is required to have a CPR-trained coach at the field each day. Each home team is also required to have an EMT-1 on site for all games.

Coaching

The coaches are not paid. However, you will receive excellent value from their extensive volunteer hours. The coaching staffs are extensive, usually up to 7 coaches per team, which results in a minimum 1:5 coach-to-player ratio. (Rosters for each team are limited to 35 players maximum.) Each of the seven coaches spend at minimum 10 hours each week with your sons at the fields. However, most coaches also spend many additional hours off the field preparing for the practices and games.

Sponsorships

Some families need assistance. We offer a limited number of sponsorships to encourage all interested players to participate in our program.

Limited & Targeted Fund Raising

We no longer ask the players or their families to fund-raise during the season. Beginning in 2010, our primary sources for funding this non-profit program will be registration fees, gate fees at home games, and corporate sponsorships.

Field & Room Use

The field-use and room-use permits are expensive and we pay the schools for practice and game time.

Practices

Currently, we have access to enough field space at Terra Linda High School to allow all five Central Marin Football Teams and the Cheer Team(s) to practice at the same field at the same time, which is important to families with multiple players participating in different age-weight classifications or in both football and cheer programs.

Cheer Camp in July

The Registration Fee covers the cost of a cheer camp that all the girls are expected to attend in July.

Competition

In addition to cheering at the football games, the girls enjoy competing against other cheer programs at formal competitions. Please see videos on this site of past successes we have had at such competitions. The Registration Fee covers National Qualifier competition fees. (We will be attending other competitions where additional fees will need to be collected.)

Safe Environment

The EMTs are paid. Each team is required to have a CPR-trained coach at the field for each practice. In addition, each home team is also required to have an EMT-1 on site for all games.

Coaching

The coaches are not paid. However, you will receive excellent value from their extensive volunteer hours. Most coaches also spend many additional hours preparing for the practices and games

Practice Uniform

The Cheer program requires uniform practice apparel, which is purchased by the participants through the program from specific vendors.

Sponsorships

Some families need assistance. We offer a limited number of sponsorships to encourage all interested youth to participate in our program.

Limited & Targeted Fund Raising

We no longer ask the players or their families to fund-raise during the season. Beginning in 2010, our primary sources for funding this non-profit program will be registration fees, gate fees at home games, and corporate sponsorships. Circumstances may dictate that post-season fund-raising will be necessary, depending on the success to the team.