Which Marin County Football Program Is Right For You?



How Are The Four Marin County Football Programs Divided Up?


The Central Marin Youth Football and Cheer Program used to be affiliated with Pop Warner, but is now affiliated with the American Youth Football League (AYF) and the NorCal Youth Football & Cheer Conference (NorCal). Under Pop Warner, the four Marin County Area Football Programs observed relatively strict geographical boundaries which dictated which program a player signed up for (either Central Marin, Novato, San Marin, or Southern Marin). Currently, those boundaries are not as strictly enforced, but are still generally observed for practical purposes and are generally determined by which public high school your player would attend.



Are There Rivalries at This Level?


Yes. There are healthy rivalries between the programs. Novato and San Marin are both located in northern Marin County, so they could be considered arch rivals. Central Marin vs. Southern Marin are considered arch rivals as well. The programs have enjoyed healthy competitiveness for many years, but all programs actively steer players and fans away from negative or mean-spirited thoughts, words, and actions toward any other program. After all, many of the players on opposing teams know each other from other sports and are often teammates in other settings. Moreover, many of the players will go on to participate at the high school level and will become football teammates with their former youth football opponents.

In addition, most of the Marin County Football programs are affiliated with the Redwood Coast Youth Football and Cheer Conference (RCYFC -- which is currently dormant) and therefore enjoy a level of collegiality and cooperation at the coach and board-of-director levels.



How Do I Decide Which Marin County Program To Sign Up For?


Generally, because the commitment to attend practice is so heavy for all programs (5 days/week in August, and 3 days/week for the remainder of the season), it is wise to base your decision on which practice facility will be easiest for your family to get to on a regular basis, including on school nights. The location of your home, school, or business may dictate your decision.

Central Marin: All practices for all teams are held at the same time at Terra Linda High School (located behind the Northgate Mall). This is particularly helpful to families who have more than one player in the program (who may be on different teams), and it lends itself to more carpooling opportunities among families in the program regardless of team affiliation.

Novato: All practices for all teams are held in Novato.

San Marin: All practices for all teams are held in Novato.

Southern Marin: In August, the Broncos hold all practices for all teams in Mill Valley at Friends Field. For the remainder of the season, depending on the team, they hold practices either at Redwood High School (Larkspur), Marin Catholic High School (Greenbrae), Tamalpais High School (Mill Valley), or Martin Luther King Park (Sausalito). (Based upon 2009 web site information which is subject to change.)



But My Player Goes To School with Players Who Play in Another Program.


Some players and parents do elect to sign up for a program that is not as convenient so that their player may play with schoolmates or other friends.