ARBUTUS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

1. What league does Arbutus Athletic Association play in? Arbutus A.A. plays in the Mid-Maryland Youth Football and Cheer League (MMYFCL), the largest league in the state.  There are 33 programs that represent the MMYFCL.  Representatives from each program meet monthly to establish administrative and game-play rules.  The football league has five divisions however Arbutus forms teams in the American division.  Their website is: www.eteamz.com/MMYFCL.   

 2. Who can sign up? Anyone, ages 5-14 on or before August 1st, is eligible to play football and ages 4-14 for cheerleading regardless of sex, race, ethnicity or nationality.  Each participant must be registered and turn in a valid Maryland Identification Card. (please refer to question #5 regarding ID cards). 

 3. What are the fees for football & cheerleading and what equipment is provided?  REGISTRATION FEES FOR 2012 ARE AS FOLLOWS:   (ONLINE, CASH or MONEY ORDER  ONLY) AGE AS OF AUGUST 1, 2012 FOOTBALL Ages 5-6yrs: $150.00  FOOTBALL Ages 7 & older: $175.00 -1st child, $165.00 -2nd child, $150.00 -3rd child and beyond.  Football provides: personalized game jersey, helmet, shoulder pads, practice jersey & pants, girdle with pads, thigh and knee pads, mouthpiece, and game socks.    Football players must provide:  Protective cup & cleats. Replacement mouth pieces as needed.    CHEERLEADING Ages 4: $150.00  CHEERLEADING Ages 5-6yrs & older: $175.00 -1st child, $165.00 -2nd child, $150.00 -3rd child and beyond.  Cheerleading provides: Game shell, skirt, warm up pant and jacket, hair ribbon and 1 practice t-shirt, red boy cut briefs, red game bodysuit.    Cheerleaders must provide: cheerleading shoes. Cheerleader may also purchase extra practice t- shirts for a nominal fee.  (Cheerleaders will be fitted for shoes at practice).  

 4. Can I get a refund if my child decides not to play? A request for fee refund must be made in writing to our President.  No exceptions. This can be a simple note with child's name, requester's name, a phone number where you can be reached, a short reason why. No refunds will be issued unless there is a request in writing and it includes all of the above information.  Refunds will be issued by check only.    Mail request to: Arbutus AA, PO Box 7343, Arbutus, Md. 21227, Attn: Refunds  Or email request to:          mkuhn19@verizon.netArbutus Athletic Association Frequently Asked Questions (continued)  PRO-RATED REFUND SCHEDULE:  Prior to the first day of practice (Aug 1st)       100%  After 1st practice                                                  100%  After 2nd practice                                               0%  We recognize that you may wish to withdraw for a variety of reasons, but our policy encourages early decisions so as to not affect other players and our ability to efficiently run the program.  The Board of Directors may take into consideration a significant change in a player or cheerleader’s medical condition or other extenuating circumstances.  

5. Why does my child need an ID card and where do I get one? Every player and cheerleader that participates in the MMYFCL is required to have a valid (not expired) Maryland Identification Card issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration for the sole purpose to identify each child during weigh ins and league competitions.  School ID's are not acceptable. This requirement is a mandatory rule established by the Mid-Maryland Youth Football and Cheer League (MMYFCL).  Arbutus AA collects and keeps the cards in a binder according to age group and will remain in their possession until the end of the season. ID cards need to be turned into your team administrator/coach by August 1st.  You are advised to get this card at your earliest convenience.  Your football player will not be able to participate in any league games without it. Cheerleaders will not be issued a uniform until the card is received.  You will need to take with you: Your child's birth certificate, social security card and your child, to get his/her picture taken. The most convenient location to obtain an ID card is MVA Express 6940 Dobbin Road Columbia, Md. 21046.  Please verify requirements before going: www.mva.maryland.gov.  

 6.  Where will practices take place and how often? Practices will be held at Arbutus Middle School. Due to limited practice space teams may practice on different days of the week.  Football will practice on the upper, lower and Shelborne Road field. Cheerleading will practice on the grass area in front of the school and nearby courts. During the summer months (before Baltimore County Schools begin) teams are allowed unlimited practice.  A schedule will be determined by each Head Coach and the Athletic Director.  Once school is in session, practices will be reduced to the league maximum six hours per week and will be determined by your child's coach based on field availability.  Cheerleaders will move to local schools to provide indoor facilities for colder months. Arbutus Athletic Association Frequently Asked Questions (continued)  

7.  Where will games be played and does everyone travel? Yes, Football players and Cheerleaders of ALL ages are required to travel to all away games. Scrimmage, regular season and/or play-off's. Once established, league information, schedules and directions to fields will be listed on the MMYFCL website www.eteamz.com/MMYFCL.  

8. How do I know what age group my son or daughter will participate in? The league has strict guide lines as to where players are placed and it is up to the Athletic and Cheerleading Director as to where each player is placed, not the coach. It is the job of the Athletic Director to ensure every player is placed on the proper team according to age, weight, and experience to the best of his/her ability.  It is the job of the Cheerleading Director to ensure every cheerleader is placed on the proper team according to age, and experience to the best of his/her ability.

9. What will happen if my player doesn't make weight? Football players must be a full pound over to be deemed overweight for that week and be ineligible to play for that particular game.  He/she must remove shoulder pads at the scale and wear his jersey without pads should he choose to remain on the sidelines.  He/she will be eligible to participate in the pre-game weight in procedure for the next game.   All players must make weight within the first four games of the season or they will be ineligible to finish the rest of the season.  Parents, please view the weight chart by going to the league web site www.eteamz.com/MMYFCL 

10. What are these weights referred to and how will I know where my son/daughter is eligible to play football?  Below are the weight guidelines established the MMYFCL 

11.  Do the cheerleaders participate in competitions and how often? Yes, along with cheering for all home and away football games, our cheerleaders compete in three competitions each season. All cheerleader entry fees are included in your registration fee.    

12.  Who do I call for inclement weather? You will receive a call ASAP from your coach when the weather is bad.  Football is played in all weather except LIGHTNING. So if it rains expect to play unless otherwise communicated. Cheerleaders are expected to Cheer as long as the game is on. However, Cheerleading will move indoors if it is raining before or during practice.  

13.  Who can I contact or call should I have further questions about the program or registration? Questions regarding Football email our Football A.D. Rodney Manigo at soundvision1200@yahoo.com and Cheerleading questions to our Cheerleading A.D Laura Spisak at lauraspisak@yahoo.com.  General emails and refund requests should be sent to mkuhn19@verizon.net.  Up to date information is always available on our website: www.arbutusgoldeneagles.com and facebook on Arbutus Golden Eagles past/present/future. 

14.   I would like to help coach or volunteer in some way – how do I do this? To run a successful program, we must have dedicated people behind it. Our 86 year tradition of pride and excellence has been successful because of our dedicated coaches, coaching staffs, parents and members of our organization. We are always looking for dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers to help us carry on the Arbutus A.A. tradition. If you are interested in helping out, please see a coach or your team mom to find out just how you can help.  For coaching applications email: mkuhn19@verizon.net. 

15.  As a parent how often am I expected to volunteer and what will I be doing? We ask that as a parent/guardian of an Arbutus A.A. player or cheerleader you volunteer in our snack shack at least 2 times throughout the season. Cheerleading and Football asks that you provide a team snack or drink for at least 1 game throughout the season. A schedule will be kept by each team mom/administrator so you know when it is your turn.  Our concession stand is our biggest fundraiser for the year.  Your assistance in manning it is vital to meeting our financial goal.    

 We also need volunteers for numerous committees. If you are interested in joining a committee, please email Joy March at joymarchcheer@gmail.com or call 410-375-6840.            

     Photo's                                  Homecoming Festivities                     August Concessions Yearbook                              Fundraising                                           Concessions Field Crew                             End of the Year Banquets                                 Football Equipment  Cheerleading Uniforms      Donations                                             Sponsorship                   

If you have any concerns or are interested in becoming a member of the organization, pleaseattend our monthly meetings at Leon's Restaurant on East Drive the 2nd Monday of everymonth.  The meetings begin at 8:30 p.m. during the football and cheer season and at 8 p.m. on the off season.  Meetings are open to the public, you DO NOT have to be a member to attend.