Youth Pigskin Football

American Youth Football Changes Lives  

Since 1996, youth throughout the world have had new opportunities to play football thanks to the American Youth Football (AYF) organization.  American Youth Football sets rules for football competition and safety to assure fairness among its teams spread across the country and throughout the world. It is the largest American football association for kids, ages 13 through high school. They are a partner of the NFL (National Football League) and many professional football players have made large donations of time and money to the organization to give back to local communities.  Among other efforts, American Youth Football provides equipment free of charge to those communities unable to afford it themselves.

Since its inception American Youth Football has spread throughout 44 states with 250,000 participants in its programs.  They send kids who live in the inner city to football camps, help towns get money to build fields, and contribute with football uniforms and equipment. In 2007, the first American Youth Football All-Star Game was played at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas.  American Youth Football also includes a companion organization--American Youth Cheer, which has the same emphasis directed toward cheerleaders. 

It is the belief of the AYF and its many volunteers that every child who wants to play football or be a cheerleader should be able to--no matter what their financial situation. 

Former pro and college manager and coach, Joe Galat, is President of American Youth Football, and its spokesman is New England Patriots’ wide receiver Randy Moss. Although centered in the United States, AYF is becoming a worldwide youth football organization.  Recent efforts have seen the development of a youth league in Israel, with the stadium in Jerusalem being named after New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft. There are competitive team in four different Israeli cities. 

American Youth Football operates at two different levels--the local league level and tournament level.  Leagues throughout the country can join and receive benefits while remaining independent with their own rules as long as they follow three of the AYF provisions promoting safety, sportsmanship, and full participation, meaning that everyone on the team gets to play. Leagues and teams that participate in the AYF Regional and National Championships must follow a specific set of rules published by the association. There are divisions for midget, peewee, jr. midget, jr. peewee, and All-American with ages 14 and under--12, 11, and 10 and under. 

The whole concept of “giving back” begins with the kids themselves who participate in American Youth Football and continues with many after they become adults, whether or not they go on to play football. Thanks to donors, the AYF has given over $11.8 million to programs in the U.S. inner cities, over $400,000 in athletic apparel and cheerleading uniforms to those who could not afford their own, and they have donated over $50,000 to families of the U.S. serving abroad. AYF members also donate equipment and uniforms to other members, many times between states.  

In addition, American Youth Football provides insurance, NFL grants to local leagues, anti-drug programs, All-American teams for football and cheerleading, a shoes donation program sponsored by Nike and a playing field improvements program by Fieldturf to members. The cost for local membership is as little as $15 per team. The philosophy the AYF passes on to its members is one of individual respect and responsibility, and the belief that not only does involvement in sports change a life, but that each player involved has the ability to change the world.