Essential Info
BEARS ESSENTIALS
Brief History
Hudson Youth Football and Cheer Inc. was incorporated in the State of New Hampshire in 1981 as a non-profit organization with the intent of developing a program dedicated to providing an opportunity for the youth of our community to participate in an athletic program that focuses on teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, commitment and leadership in both the classroom and on the playing field.
HLYFC is an athletic organization serving the Hudson and Litchfield communities.
Home Field-Hudson Memorial School
The HudsonSchool District provides a great deal of support to our program by providing the use of their facilities. HLYFC home field is Hudson Memorial Middle School located at 1 Memorial Drive in Hudson. We must abide by all of their rules in order to keep this privilege. We would ask you please to remember the following:
NO DRUG SCHOOL ZONES – There is absolutely no smoking no vaping or drinking of alcoholic beverages on school property.
NO VAPING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY – this includes all practices, home games and away games
PARKING REQUIREMENTS – Parking should be in designated legal parking spots only. Please abide by all No Parking Signs and keep Fire Lanes clear at all times.
We ask that you leave your pets at home since the school district does not allow ANY PETS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY!
Directions:
Memorial Field is located off Central Street at 1 Memorial Drive, Hudson. Please reference the directions link for detailed directions to our home field.
HLYFC Governance
The HLYFC organization is comprised of volunteers banded together to administer a youth football and cheerleading league. It is the first level of administration charged with the responsibility of overseeing Board member selection/voting, fundraising, selection of equipment, coaching staffs, and managers and general overall operations. The organization is run per the approved By-Laws. The By-Laws are reviewed annually and filed with the New Hampshire State Football & Cheer.
Parents and participants are members of the association and by joining the association agree to the rules and guidelines that have been handed down, agreed upon or voted. The rules for each season can be found on the National, State, and HLYFC websites.
Volunteer and participation requirements –
HLYFC is a non-profit organization that is run and managed by volunteers. As with any program like Football, it takes the work of many people to make the season a success both “on” and “off” the field. So many parents want to make a contribution and support the program but often didn’t know how to help or who to contact. Our Participation Coordinator in conjunction with the Team Mom or Team Dad, will be seeking out all parents and asking for their help in running the program.
Your participation is the single most important element of a successful season. This is no understatement, without your participation; there would not be a football or cheerleading program, plain and simple!
Thank you for making a difference!
Fundraising –
Fund Raising activities are critical to the on-going success and financial viability of our program. We will be designing many programs this year that will require your support and effort. The fund raising activities have evolved based on history and previous success. We encourage all parents and participants to get involved. Successful fund raising will allow us to replace equipment and uniforms as required, procure more advanced training equipment, and establish a fund to cover unexpected costs to the program as well as a travel fund. Please get involved and do your fair share.
Coaching Staffs
The HLYFC coaching staffs are all volunteers who are dedicated to provide your children with an enjoyable learning experience. A Head Coach that has been interviewed and selected by sitting Board of Directors manages each team. The Head Coach assignment is for one year only and requires that anyone interested in the position for subsequent season complete the Coaching application form and attend an interview session with the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will vote on each Head Coach position and notify candidates selected for the positions.
The Head Coach has the responsibility of selecting his/her coaching staff from the pool of applications and then submits his recommendations to the respective Coordinators and the Board of Directors for approval.
Anyone interested in a Head Coaches Position or Assistant Coaching Position for the next season is encouraged to submit an application once they are posted. Candidates wishing to be considered for coaching positions must complete the application and a background check.
Football
Welcome to Hudson-Litchfield Bears Football!
Youth Football is an exciting and fun sport that requires a tremendous commitment from both the parents and the participant. Our goal is to have a successful season in which children can experience being part of a team that learns together, plays together, and improves their basic skills while having fun.
We have a dedicated head coaching staff that will motivate, communicate, and demonstrate leadership to the players, parents and their coaching staffs. A major goal for this year is to teach the players the skills they need to play football safely and develop their skills.
It is important to note that football is not a recreational sport and requires a lot of hard work and discipline. Children will be involved with approximately 50 practices, scrimmages, and eight games over the season. The coaching staff will assess each player capability, skill development and progress over the course of the year and will play manage the assignments in the best interest of the team.
HLYFC typically fields four or five teams. Children are assigned to team based on their age.
All participants are expected to participate in all practices, scrimmages, games and required HLYFC events (ie: Regionals, Nationals). Each team will have a head coach and a Team Mom that will work with the parents and coaching staff to address your specific questions. The parents are very important to our program and we encourage everyone to support your children at practice and the games. Parents are required to participate in supporting the program.
Please plan your family vacations for early summer. We only have four weeks of practice in August (or sometimes the last week of July AND August) to prepare and work with the children before our first game of the season. Missing practices in August will be a major set back in your child’s conditioning, gaining knowledge and developing basic football skills such as blocking & tackling, understanding and learning the plays and it has adverse impact on their team. Also, it could effect their playing time. Vacations do not constitute excused absences! Do not plan a vacation in August this year!
Football Assigned Positions
The Coaching Staff, based on their evaluation of each player will assign positions. There are many factors that contribute to determining who will play each position. Some of these factors include physical ability, experience, effort, attitude and attendance. Positions are not permanent and the players will be continually evaluated throughout the season to be sure that they are being utilized in the best interest of the team.
Every child cannot play running back or quarterback. Each team can have a maximum of 36 players and it is not feasible for each player to play every position.
Parents will not be allowed to determine what position their child will play.
Playing Time
HLYFC and NHYFC rules state that each player must receive a minimum number of plays per game. This is known as the minimum play requirement (MPR). The Head Coach will attempt to give each player the most amount of playing time possible based on his/her ability, attitude, practice efforts and attendance. Each player will meet the MPR every game.
Parental Guidelines:
The following are some guidelines for parents:
- School is the children first priority. All players must maintain satisfactory grades (2.0 or greater) to participate in the program.
- Your child’s safety is our main concern. It is important that your child follow all instructions and wear the assigned equipment.
- It is recommended that all players wear cleats, but they are not mandatory.
- It is recommended that parents familiarize themselves with the program and additional parental requirements. The information can be found throughout this website and from board members and handouts
- All players must attend every practice except when they are sick or school activities take a priority. Children are not allowed to participate in another sport during the HLYFC season. Attendance is taken at every practice. In the event your child cannot make a practice, it is your responsibility to notify the head coach or team mom. Three unexcused practices may result in the removal of our child from the team.
Parental Conduct:
The coaching staff and board members have a code of ethics that they will abide by – it is expected that parents follow suit and set good examples for their children.
Please be respectful of all coaches, players, referees and other parents. It is important that we, as adults, set a good example of appropriate behavior for our children.
If you are not part of the field crew then you are not allowed on the field. This includes the practice field and the sidelines during games.
Please do not coach from the sidelines. Your child will be instructed in specific techniques and responsibilities by the coaching staff and they will be expected to perform according to those instructions. If they abandon those instructions to follow yours then they will be letting their teammates down.
Spirit
Chris Morris
President
Phone: 1-781-640-4550
Sara DeCologero
Vice President of Cheerleading/Cheer Director
Phone: 978-852-1782
Sarah Barbato
Assistant to the VP of Cheer
Phone: (508) 208-5467
Cheerleaders will NOT be required to cheer at games.
The Hudson Litchfield Bears cheerleading program is designed to promote the sport of cheerleading in a well-organized and structured program. Children from the ages of 5 years old to 14 years old can participate
The HLYFC cheerleading Program is NOT a recreational sport, it requires a full commitment from the participants and the Coaching staff. Children will be involved with approximately 50 practices, and competing in at least five competitions. The program is designed to teach the fundamentals of cheerleading including sportsmanship, proper stunting techniques and guidelines for cheerleading competitions. There are several key aspects of the program that are the foundation including a focus on Safety, Discipline, Sportsmanship, and Cheerleading skills.
Hudson-Litchfield Cheerleading Rules
HLYFC spirit rules will be reviewed on the first night of practice with you and your child by their coach. These rules are in place to insure the safety of your child, in support of good sportsmanship, and for the good of the team in general.
Please be advised that no earrings or body jewelry are allowed while cheerleading. If you plan to have your child’s ears pierced before the season, allow enough time so that the piercing can heal.
Time commitment:
Cheerleading is a TEAM sport. Each and every athlete has an important role. Our season begins mid July, (the exact date is determined by The State Board of Directors). We practice for a maximum of ten hours per week. You can expect to be at practice typically Monday-Thursday evenings between the hours of 6pm-8:30pm. This is all dependent on coaching staff & field availability.
Starting in late August / early September our cheerleading squads will move indoors for closed practices. After the start of the school year practice times are reduced to a maximum of eight hours per week. Practice days will vary depending on facility availability. You can also expect to attend Saturday practices as this is when our Professional choreographer is available.
In addition to practices, our cheerleading teams compete at local competitions! Our Divisions 6 and 8 will compete at local competitions and states only. Our Divisions 10, 12 and 14 will opt IN to advance to Nationals
Absences/Tardiness:
Athletes are expected to attend ALL competitions and practices. We ask that athletes arrive to practice 10-15 minutes prior to the start of practice and 45 minutes early to competitions. The additional time prior to each scheduled activity is important for stretching, warm ups, uniform checks and routine reviews. Unless prior arrangements have been made with the head coach or cheerleading director, any athlete arriving late will be recorded. If a situation arises (such as an illness) a parent must make every attempt to contact the head coach or cheerleading director within an hour prior to the start of the event to advise them of the absence. We understand that emergency situations occur, but we ask that you please try to notify the appropriate people in a timely manner.
The football and cheerleading programs travel to competitions. Please allow for additional travel time for locations you may not be familiar with.
Arriving late to a practice or game will be marked as a late arrival
Failure to attend a game or practice will count as an unexcused absence
Three late arrivals will count as one unexcused absence
Three unexcused absences will result in a parent/board of directors meeting which may conclude with being dismissed from any post season fundraising and or removal for the remainder of the season.
This policy is set in place because cheerleading is a team sport! As previously mentioned each athlete has an important role on the team. If one person is missing the entire routine (halftime or competition) will be thrown off.
AYC requirements for team advancements:
Teams in which place 1st, 2nd, or, 3rd at the State Competition are required to advance to the Regional Competition
Teams in which place 1st, 2nd, or, 3rd at the Regional competition are required to advance to the National Championship in Florida
Teams that place within the top 5 on the first day of the National Championship will move on to compete on Super Saturday. They will announce the Top 5 teams in the Nation on this day.
What to expect for costs:
In addition to the league registration cost, there are other costs associated with cheerleading throughout the season. They include but are not limited to:
White no show socks- $6-12 (depending on where you purchase)
White cheerleading sneakers 2 pairs $35-120 ( depending on the brand)
Competition uniform-TBD
Spectator tickets for competitions-$10-15 per competition
Travel associated with competitions- contingent on location
*Coaches may ask for donations for candy, snacks and drinks for the athletes to have at competition and choreography days.