HWGYF MISSION STATEMENT/GOAL: The Goal of the H-W Generals Youth Football (HWGYF) Program is to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so that they may be well adjusted, stronger and happier children that will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy citizens while enjoying the fun of learning football in a well coached and safe environment.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Hamilton Wenham Generals Youth Football, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is part of the 12-town Cape Ann Youth Football League (CAYFL). We are not associated with Pop Warner Football. Please see our website www.generalsyouthfootball.com and CAYFL web site under Links above for further information.

EXPERIENCE: No prior experience is needed for football. Participation in football requires the ability to run, tackle, block, catch a football and understand the rules of the game. If your child has any current condition that limits his/her ability to participate in these activities, collectively defined as Generals Youth Football, please list the condition on the Registration Form and advise the Commissioner in a confidential letter.

AGE GROUPS/TEAMS: There are four (4) Age Groups for football and three (3) for Cheering in 2011 in Hamilton Wenham: Ages for teams are determined as of 9/1/11.  “D Team” 3rd & 4th Graders, 10 years old and under . “C & JVC Teams” 6th & 5th Graders, 12 years old and under and "A & JVA Teams” 7th & 8th Graders, 14 years old and under. The JVC Team is usually for 5 Graders. There is a B Team level for 7th Graders only in the CAYFL if there are a minimum of 45 players registered at the 7th and 8th grade level and a minimum of 20 7th Grade Players. HW will not have a B Team in 2011 and will have a JVA Team of 7th & 8th Graders.

Cape Ann Youth Football League By Laws state that there MUST be 36 or more players at the 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade levels before a town can field JV Teams. JV Teams are where players will be placed by the Head Coach based on ability and physical maturity.

D Team - At the D Team Level (3rd & 4th grade) all players should receive equal playing time and instruction. This is an Instructional Level first and foremost. The Coaches do their best to provide equal playing time to all players.

C Team - At the C Team Level (6th & 5th grade) more playing time 75% to 25% is given to the players with more ability, experience and physical maturity. Coaches are encouraged to sub in players judiciously and sub in players should the score be way up or way down.

JVC Team - At this level (5th and 6th grade) more playing time 60% to 40%is given to to the players with more ability, experience and physical maturity. There will be a JVC Team when there are more than 36 players at the 5th and 6th grade level. Players will be placed on the JVC Team that are not yet ready as determined by the coaches for the C Team. Coaches are encouraged to sub in players judiciously and sub in players should the score be way up or way down.

A & JVA  Teams - The A & JVA Team Level (8th and 7th grade) - is a very competitive level and playing time 80% to 20 % is given to players with the most ability, experience and physical maturity. When there is less than 36 players there will be no JVA Team for those players that might not yet be ready for the A Team. When there is only an A Team (due to having less than 36 players) there will be players that will see less playing time based on ability, experience and/or physical maturity and the score. When the score is way up or way down coaches are encouraged to sub in players that see less playing time provided there are not safety concerns for the player.

B Team - There is a B Team Level (7th grade only) in the CAYFL for towns that can field a 7th grade only team based on the total number of 7th & 8th Graders registered (45) or more and a total number of 7th Graders registered (20) or more. Playing time is the same 80% to 20% as it is for the A & JVA Teams.

WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: There are weight-restricted player positions for each football age group established for the safety of the players. The weight limits apply only to players touching the football (running backs, receivers and quarterbacks). All players are weighed before every game to determine eligibility to play these positions. A player’s weight is determined based on their football uniform and pads without a helmet. To be a running back, receiver or quarterback Players must weigh no more than: D Teams = 90 lbs; C & JVC Teams = 116 lbs; B Teams = 132 lbs; A & JVA Teams = 148 lbs for the 1st five games and 151 lbs for the last four games.

DATES: The 2011 season starts Thursday 8/18 for H-W with a three day (Thursday 8/18, Friday 8/19 and Monday 8/22 non-contact conditioning & learning practices. Starting Tuesday 8/23 Players will be in full uniform with contact.

There are nine (9) games on the schedule that will start in September. The regular season ends on Sunday in early November. There are Playoffs and Championship games for C, B, JVA & A Teams that qualify. The Game Schedule will be posted on the web site in September.

PRACTICE: Football practice, prior to the first game, for the A, JVA, C and JVC Teams is five (5) nights a week Monday through Friday 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. D Team practices are either 5 or 4 days a week prior to the first game (Coach's decision). After the first game football practice for the A, JVA, C & JVC Teams is (4) nights a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. D Team practices are 4 or 3 days a week after the first game (Coach's decision). After the 4th game practice will change to three nights a week Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for A, JVA & C and JVC Teams as well as D Team. Practice days are subject to change based on weather. All teams practice at Patton Park in Hamilton.

GAME DAYS: Game days may be Saturday (JV) or Sunday. Away games are sometimes played on Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday.  Times are subject to change – please check the web site Game Schedule link and emails. Players should arrive one (1) hour before game time. Directions to opposing team’s fields can be found on the Hamilton Wenham website under the Directions Link to the left on the Main Menu.

EQUIPMENT: A complete set of football equipment is provided for all football players that includes a helmet, chin guard, mouth piece, practice pants, game jersey and game pants, shoulder pads, girdle and girdle pads, belts and socks. Practice jerseys are normally not provided for C, JVC & D teams. GAME JERSEYS AND GAME PANTS MAY NOT BE WORN TO PRACTICE. All helmets are inspected, refurbished, tested and replaced, as needed, by a manufacturer-certified supplier.. All other equipment is inspected and replaced as needed. Parents must provide properly fitted, “molded rubber” only cleats. “Screw-ins”, metal, hard plastic cleats or plastic cleats with rubber tips are illegal and will not be allowed on the field.  Players with anything but molded rubber cleats will be ejected from the game and the team will be assessed a 15 yard penalty. All issued equipment with the exception of game shirts, girdles and socks are returned at the end of the season to the Football Storage facility at Iron rail – dates will announced.

COACHES: Each football team will have experienced and trained coaches that have been Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) cleared and approved.

BANQUET: The season ends with The Annual Banquet at the H-W Regional High School where there is a dinner in the Cafeteria, then speakers, awards, gifts and a slide show of the season in the auditorium. All immediate Family Members only and Players/Cheerleaders are welcome to the dinner. All other Family and Friends are welcome to the Auditorium after dinner for the speakers, awards, gifts and slide show.