Louisiana Youth Football

Louisiana Youth Football is a non-profit community based organization formed to provide urban youth with positive alternatives to the streets. Louisiana Youth Football is focused on the developmental enrichment of all its members and programs. Louisiana Youth Football, with community, church, and the Park & Recreation Commission for the East Baton Rouge Parish’s (BREC) support, is determined to create an understanding, develop respect, inspire leadership, foster teamwork, establish discipline, and nurture love amongst our youth & communities through football and educational programs.

Louisiana Youth Football’s mission is to utilize organized and structured athletics as a tool to enlighten and cultivate the development of well rounded youth through establishing a foundation of the following life skills: Responsibility; Goal Setting; Sportsmanship; Self Control; Smart Decisions; Teamwork; Leadership; Perseverance

In our inaugural season (2005), we had 44 registered teams, approximately 1100 registered youth (ranging from 7 yrs old to 13 yrs old), and approximately 300 volunteer coaches. In our 2006 season, we saw growth in all areas. We had 53 registered teams, over 1500 registered Student-Athletes (ranging from 7 yrs old to 13 yrs old), and approximately 250 volunteers, 215 are CERTIFIED volunteer football coaches. In 2007, we saw more continued growth in all areas. We had 57 registered teams, over 1900 registered Student-Athletes (football players & cheerleaders/dancers, ranging from 5 yrs old to 13 yrs old), and approximately 330 volunteers, 225 of whom are CERTIFIED volunteer football coaches. In 2008, we had growth in all areas again. We had 65 registered teams, over 2300 registered Student-Athletes (football players & cheerleaders/dancers, ranging from 5 yrs old to 13 yrs old), and approximately 350 volunteers, 275 of whom are CERTIFIED volunteer football coaches. Last season (2009), we had 71 registered teams, over 2500 registered Student-Athletes (football players & cheerleaders/dancers, ranging from 5 yrs old to 13 yrs old), and approximately 360 volunteers, 280 of whom are CERTIFIED volunteer football coaches. These numbers are impressive, even for established youth programs; so we are excited about our accomplishments thus far and delighted to share this with the citizens of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, & the United States.

Louisiana Youth Football season’s culmination will be the Championship Series. This championship series is a playoff system designed to determine our league champions for all age groups (Division A: 7-8, Division AA: 9-10, Division AAA: 11-12). The grand finale championship game will be The Finals.

We will also be presenting the Louisiana Youth Cheerleading Cheerleaders Showcase. This segment of our championship events will feature ALL of our cheerleading squads performing individual squad routines, as well as combined routines throughout the championship games.

We will also be presenting the Louisiana Youth Football D-League: 5-6 Exhibitions. This segment of our championship events will feature a round robin showcase of our 5 - 6 year old Developmental League teams.

Any student athlete (Football Players & Cheerleaders) who maintained a 3.0 or better GPA during the season was named to the Louisiana Youth Football All State Academic Team or Squad for each division. These student athletes will nominated by their coach for consideration. An official report card or progress report accompanied the nomination. This year, the Louisiana Youth Football All State Academic Teams & Squads is recognized during halftime of each Louisiana Youth Football Championship Series - Finals. In 2006, we introduced two (2) new awards, The Hats' Off Sportsmanship Award & The Scholastic Dream Team Award. The Hats' Off Sportsmanship Award is an award honoring sportsmanship displayed by a team (players, coaches, & fans included) in each Division & Conference. These award winners will be selected by the Officials. The Scholastic Dream Team Award is an award honoring the team with the highest GPA in each Division & Conference. These award winners will also be recognized during halftime of each Louisiana Youth Football Championship Series Finals.

In 2007, we introduced two (2) new events, The Louisiana Youth Football Homecoming Weekend (including "We Worship") & The Heart Of A Lion Classic - Senior Class Showcase.

Louisiana Youth Football provides Spring/Summer football programs for youth ages 12-18 through the NFL & the New Orleans Saints and a High School 7 -on- 7 league called Louisiana ELITE 7-on-7. The programs are called the NFL Junior Player Development (JPD) and the NFL High School Player Development (HSPD). These programs where developed to provide a template for high school football programs, as well as additional access to youth tackle football. The programs integrate on-field skills development with life skills and character development. As they plan for future high school & college interscholastic activities, participants receive instruction from selected coaches, as well as counseling that focuses around life skills.

In 2005:

300

Coaches/

Volunteers

Organizations

Teams

1100+

Student Athletes

In 2006:

310

Coaches/

Volunteers

215

Certified

Coaches

Organizations

Teams

1500+

Student Athletes

In 2007:

330

Coaches/

Volunteers

225

Certified

Coaches

Organizations

Teams

1900+

Student Athletes

In 2008:

350

Coaches/

Volunteers

275

Certified

Coaches

Organizations

Teams

2300+

Student Athletes

In 2009:

360

Coaches/

Volunteers

280

Certified

Coaches

Organizations

Teams

2500+

Student Athletes