Get in the Game with NBYF

North Branford Youth Football is already thinking about the fall season and with the introduction of a recruiting committee, NBYF is hoping you are, too. Longtime volunteer George Cottiero is heading the committee, which has a slogan of ‘Get in the Game.’

The goal of the committee is to inform prospective athletes heading into grades 1 to 8 and their families about the benefits of football. The recruiting effort for this fall began at the height of winter as the committee attended the Health and Wellness Fair at on Feb. 18.

“We want to reach out to kids and show them that they need to get off all of the video games, computers, TV and phones and physically play the game to reap the benefits,” said Kris Smith, NBYF secretary.

At the fair, NBYF representatives distributed stickers, pencils and flyers describing the positive things that come from participating in NBYF including getting fit, building friendships, being part of a team, the importance of fair play, how to control impulses and how to mange success and disappointment.

That was only the beginning as a scripted action video was sent to to run with morning announcements. The video will run through May 5.

TVES then hosted an Eco Fair on April 15 where NBYF handed out purple and black wristbands that said “NBYF…Get in the Game.” The first 200 players wearing the wristband to registration will receive a free water bottle as NBYF is an eco-friendly program.

Today, April 25, and Monday, May 2, coaches and assistant coaches from each grade level will be on hand during the lunch period at NBIS to answer students’ questions and distribute wristbands to 6th- and 7th-graders.

Coaches for the upcoming season include Keith Manceri (8th grade), Mark Stephens (7th grade), Jay Fowler (6th grade), Jeff Billings (5th grade) and Ben Powell (4th grade). The NBYF Board consists of Mike Gries (president), Ben Powell (president elect), Steve Saunders (vice president), Jeff Dobos (treasurer), Kris Smith (secretary), Keith Manceri (athletic director) and Jim Krupp (flag coordinator).

“NBYF would like to thank Dr. Kris Lindsay, principal of TVES, and Alan Davis, principal of NBIS, for all of their support as we attempt to get our students out on to the field,” said Smith.

Registration is scheduled for Wednesday, ; Thursday, ; Wednesday, ; and Thursday, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at NBIS’s NBYF practice field. Costs are $80 for flag (grades 1 to 3) and $195 for tackle (grades 4 to 8). Tackle players receive their own purple jersey, which they keep after the season, and they are equipped with shoulder pads, helmet, game pants and practice pants.

NBYF also accepts players from Durham and Middlefield and scholarships are available. Check online for ‘Refer-a-Friend’ savings, too.

 “At the end of the season, we have a huge banquet for both flag and tackle because they are all winners to us,” said Smith.

For info on North Branford Youth Football, visit eteamz.com/nbyfootball, contact nbyf@comcast.net or 203-605-2599 or ‘like’ North Branford Youth Football on Facebook.