The Northville Youth Football and Cheer Association provides an outstanding environment for Northville Youth to experience both football and cheer. Our program strives to provide exemplary coaching in the skills and techniques necessary to excel on the field but also helps to build young men and women of quality character. Our program is part of the Southeast Michigan Youth Football Association (SMYFA), which defines the basic rules and guidelines we operate under. Here are some of the questions we often get about our program.
1. When does the season begin?
2. How many times a week will my child have practice?
Flag Football will practice 3 evenings per week until the first game and then move to 2 practices per week. Freshman, JV, and Varsity will practice 5 evenings per week until the first game and then move to 4 practices per week. For tackle teams, 3 of the practices are in full pads and the last practice before the game is a walk-through, during which the players will wear helmets and shoulder pads, but not full padded pants.
Cheer will open the season with a mandatory pom camp the first week of practice in August. This will be a three day a week, evening practice session to work with the NHS pom team on pom routine. Most cheer teams will practice twice a week during the season. Please note that coaches may add additional practices before cheerfest.
3. Where are games played and how many games are there?
Each team plays one game a week on either Saturday or Sunday. Games are typically 2 hours long. Home games are at Tom Holzer Field, 682 Baseline Rd, Northville 48167. There are 8 games in the regular season and potentially 2 games in the playoffs.
4. What teams do we play?
Northville is part of the Southeast Michigan Youth Football Association (SMYFA). Please visit www.smyfa.com for league information.
5. What are the NYFA minimum play rules for players?
NYFA abides by SMYFA rules as follows:
For Flag, each player plays 1, 8-minute period per half (there are a total of 3 periods per half). If the team has less than 21 players, some players will play 2 periods in each half.
For Freshman and JV, players meet their minimum play requirements by playing during the developmental period, which is the first 4 minutes of each half. The score during the developmental game does not count towards the game score. Players who do not play during the developmental period must participate in at least 5 plays per half (or fewer depending on the roster size).
Varsity does not have a developmental period so each player must play in at least 5 plays per half (or fewer depending on the roster size).
6. What is Cheerfest?
Cheerfest is the end of season competition for all SMYFA cheerleaders. Flag cheerleaders will perform a pom routine while freshman and JV cheerleaders will perform both pom and cheer routines. Cheerfest typically takes place the weekend before Halloween.
7. What team will my child play on or cheer for?
Teams are divided by grade.
Flag Cheer and Football: First and Second Grades
Freshman Cheer and Football: Third and Fourth Grades
JV Cheer and Football: Fifth and Sixth Grades
Varsity Football: Seventh and Eighth Grades
Players and cheerleaders will be assigned teams based on what Northville Public Elementary School they are districted to by home address.
8. Who will coach my child?
NYFA coaches are primarily parent volunteers that have some level of playing/coaching experience. All adult coaches are required to submit background screenings and complete USA Tackle Football and Concussion Awareness certifications every year. Per NYFA bylaws, head coaches are determined by directors of football and cheer. It is our goal to have head coaches assigned before registration.
9. When does registration open and what is the refund policy?
Registration opens in January - there will be different registration dates for veterans and for new families, and for football players and cheerleaders. Please follow us on Facebook and visit our website for more information. Once Registration is complete and a payment has been submitted, you will not be eligible for a refund.
10. What is included in my registration fee?
Football registration fees include all equipment needed to play, except for cleats, mouthguards, and athletic cups. Players must also bring their own water bottles to practice and any football gloves or undershirts they desire. Players will keep their practice jerseys and game jerseys, but will need to return their helmets, shoulder pads, game and practice pants, belts, and knee and thigh pads at the end of each season. Football registration fees also cover the expenses of practice fields, game fields, league fees, etc.
Cheer registration fees include 3-piece uniform, poms, and winter coat (returned at the end of the season), game day shoes, three hair bows, two t-shirts, sweatshirt, zip-up, and winter headband. Cheer registration fees also include practice locations, league fees, and Cheerfest entry.
11. What is the Northville Bucks Fundraiser?
Northville Bucks is a mandatory fundraiser for all players and cheerleaders. The Northville Bucks are a set of coupons in $10 increments that can be used at various local establishments. You have the option to not take the bucks and do the buyout for $150, or keep/sell 25 bucks for $250. Buyout can be done at the time of registration.
12. What other fundraisers does NYFA have?
NYFA has an annual golf outing in August. All NYFA families and community members are encouraged to participate, sponsor various parts of the event, and donate raffle or auction items.
13. What are my volunteer obligations?
NYFA is a 100% volunteer-run organization. All families are required to volunteer at NYFA events (e.g., equipment handout, golf outing, banquets, equipment return, etc.)
Football families are also expected to volunteer on game days, typically at least 3 game days per season depending on roster size (e.g., photographer, announcer, clock runner, booth spotter, field spotter, chain gang, provide snacks/gatorade, etc.).
Cheer families are expected to volunteer on game days as needed and when Northville hosts Cheerfest on alternating years.
Families who do not fulfill their volunteer requirements will lose veteran status for the following year’s registration.
14. Are there any other costs to the program?
Throughout the season, there will be optional opportunities for families and players/cheerleaders that will require additional payments for those who wish to participate, such as end of season banquets, yard signs, spirit wear, civic concern donations, attending games at special venues (e.g., The Big House, EMU), ordering professional photographs, etc.
15. Who should I contact if I have more questions?
Please email Jules Medvecky, NYFA President, at Jules.uofm@gmail.com. NYFA will be holding a Parent Mixer in May to welcome all families and answer further questions! GO NORTHVILLE!!