Cranford PAL Football (Tackle)

Quick Facts...
Program Director:  Chris Coccaro - [email protected]
Season: August/September - November
Fees:  $250 Registration
Grade Levels:  Grades 4 through 8

The Cranford PAL Football (Tackle) Program is for the 4th through 8th grade age group. The tackle program is the next step after our Flag Football Program. Coaches are trained in "Heads Up" standards developed to safeguard our participants from avoidable injury. For more information, we encourage parents and participants to visit the USA Football link here regarding concussions:

https://usafootball.com/programs/heads-up-football/youth/

The Fee for this program is $250 which includes safety equipment, uniforms, and referee fees. This year the fee also covers the SAFE Football Camp run by Tip of the Spear. Parents of Football Players are requested to assist throughout the season with football concessions, 50/50 sales, and general event management. All "hosted" games are held at the Memorial Field Complex at 59 Myrtle Street in Cranford. 

Our Football Teams range from the E-Team (youngest players) to the A-Team (8th grade team). The Cranford PAL is part of the New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL). Currently the league is comprised of two divisions where the town programs are basically divided according to their respective NJ/NY high school football grouping (Group I / II and Group III / IV) and youth program winning percentages from prior seasons. Cranford PAL participates in the National Division of this league. For more league  information, please visit www.njsyfl.com.

Our priority with PAL Football is to encourage good sportsmanship while continuing to build upon Cranford's rich football history. Our tackle program follows the NJSYFL schedule.

Football games (home and away) for our tackle program are typically held on Sundays and practice schedules vary based on teams/grade.  Practice and SAFE football training begins mid August.  Games begin after Labor Day and run through November, depending on playoffs.

SAFETY MESSAGE AND DISCLAIMER RELATED TO COVID-19:

COVID-19: There is a risk that you could contract COVID-19 while participating in one of our programs. Any an all COVID-19 protocols mandated by the Federal, State or Local Government(s) or Cranford Public Schools shall be in effect.

At the Cranford PAL, we have implemented various preventive measures aimed to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 among our volunteers, athletes and spectators. However, we do not guarantee or warrant against the risk of infection.

None of the information provided herein is intended as medical advice. This Notice and Disclaimer is intended as a warning to our participants of the risk of contracting COVID-19, a disclaimer of our liability and the liability of volunteers associated therewith, and an explanation of some of the things we’re doing to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19, as well as some of the things we believe our participants can do to help.

1.       All parents are required to volunteer their time for the program. At all home games, all levels of teams will be required to have their parents volunteer for the snack stand along with several other volunteer positions available: Team Manager, Game day chains and markers, etc. Volunteers that will be in contact with our youth will need to have background checks.

2.       Below please find the minimum equipment requirements that your players will be responsible for supplying:

-          Mouth piece

-          Cleats

-          4th-5th - Jock strap or Compression shorts with cup

-          6th-8th - Jock strap or Compression with cup (Depends on practice pants purchased) / Girdle with cup

-          6th-8th - Practice pants with pads

3.       Below please find the equipment that will be provided by Cranford PAL:

-          Helmet with chin strap

-          Shoulder pads

-          Practice Pinnie

-          Game Jersey

-          6th-8th Game Pants (6th-8th game pants have no hip, tail, thigh pads – pads are available on a limited basis. Players should have a girdle that includes – hip, tail, thigh and cup)

-          4th – 5th Game/Practice Pants (4th-5th game pants have pads sewn into pants and will also be used as their practice pants – players need to have a jock strap or compression shorts with a cup) 

4.       All eligible players will play a minimum number of plays per game.

5.       After registration is completed, an email notification will be sent regarding uniform/equipment distribution.