WMJFL: Welcome

OUR MISSION...Character, Courage and Loyalty

• West Michigan Junior Football League is a program of service to children in grades 3rd-6th for the 2011-2012 school year. It is geared to provide an outlet of healthful activity and training under adult leadership in an atmosphere of wholesome community participation. The program inspires youth with a goal and enriches their lives towards the day when they must take their place in the world. It establishes the value of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play.
• West Michigan Junior Football League is currently comprised of teams from various communities. They include Allendale, Byron Center, Calvin Christian, Fennville, Hamilton, Holland, Kelloggsville, Sailor YPD, Saugatuck, Unity Christian, West Ottawa, Wyoming Park and Zeeland. Our league must adhere to all rules and regulations established by the West Michigan Junior Football League.

LEAGUE ORGANIZATION

• The West Michigan Junior Football League is a program that is constructed, supervised, and assisted by parents who want to offer organized football to their children.
• Each community sets up and administers each of their teams.  Each Community Director is responsible for the teams that play under its registration
• The West Michigan Youth Football League has an equal Board of Directors that consists of representatives from each community.  These directors meet to discus the further advancement of the league.  Each community MUST provide a representative to attend all necessary meetings.  Each community is assigned a task for each football season.  If a community fails to attend the necessary meetings or fails to complete their tasks they will risk being eliminated from the league.

• PRACTICE:  Teams can practice on dates set by the WMJFL.  You can expect 2-3 practices each week, usually on weeknights.
• SCRIMMAGE:  Scrimmages will be held Saturday, September 10, 2011.  Locations and times to be determined, per community.
• REGULAR SEASON:  Games will be played on Saturdays beginning September 17.  Four (4) regular league games will be played.
• PLAYOFFS:  A 2-game end of the season play-off will be played against an opponent with a comparable record.
• BYE GAMES:  If there are an odd number of teams in the league, teams may have a bye game.  Games may need to be scheduled on Tuesday evenings to make sure we get all the games played.
• MAKE UP GAMES:  Make up games will be played on Tuesday evenings (depending on field availability).  Each league director will reschedule the make- up games.

GAME PROCEDURES

• FIELD PREPARATION:  Each organizing department prepares the fields at their respective locations.  Please be respectful at each location and do your part in taking home whatever you have brought.  Trash must be placed in the proper receptacles. 
• EQUIPMENT PROVIDED:  Some communities may have player equipment available for those who are in need and cannot afford it.
• REFEREES:  Referees shall be a minimum of 11^th grade students participating on the varsity football team.  The head official shall wear a white hat, be at least 21 years of age, and be an M.H.S.A.A. certified official and must be wearing an updated M.H.S.A.A. patch that is visible.  It is recommended that at least four (4) officials be used at all games.  If less than 4 officials are available to work then 2 of the officials on the field must be certified.
• GAME DELAYS:  Prior to the start of the game, the Field Director makes all decisions regarding suitability of the fields for play.  Once the game has started, the head referee and the Field Director will make the decisions regarding the delays and cancellations.
• RAIN OUTS/CANCELLATIONS:  Incomplete games cancelled for any reasons will be attempted to be made up.  Any team, which cannot make the reschedule time, will forfeit the game.
• INJURIES:  Injuries, which occur during the games, are to be reported by one of the coaches.  Forms are available at all fields or within the managers team folders handed out at pre-season meetings.  There can never be too much reporting.   

As the season winds down the league directors of the WMJFL will hold a wrap-up meeting after the 2011 season concludes.  At this meeting the season, rules, pros, cons, and all things regarding the WMJFL are reviewed.  Coaches...we ask that you please submit a report (written/verbal) to your local director so the entire WMJFL board can listen, learn, and review what needs to be done to continue to enhance this great league.  We want to know the positives and the negatives, but be mindful that this is not an opportunity to put down other communities and/or individuals.  Rather, this is your chance to give us your viewpoint in a professional and courteous manner through your local director in the hope that this league will continue to grow and prosper.  Please submit your evaluations by October 28.  We thank you, in advance, for your help and for your commitment to the WMJFL.

Hope College is offering all WMJFL players and a guest to enjoy the Hope College Flying Dutchmen in action on the football field!  Your coaches should be receiving a copy of a flyer for free admission to a Hope College football game.  Come support the Hope College Flying Dutchmen as they take on the Millikin Big Blue on Saturday, September 17, and recognize the game as WMJFL Day!  The first 500 youth receive a FREE Hope College Football poster! After the game make sure you stick around for the chance to meet the players and get their autographs!  Can't make it on September 17?  That's okay.  Download a copy of the flyer by clicking the "Schedules, Scores, General Info" tab to the left of this page and take it with you for any other Hope College home game.  See the flyer for complete details.  The WMJFL would like to thank Hope College for this great opportunity!

Last season the WMJFL added Fennville, Saugatuck, and the Sailor YPD to the league.  All three entities were a welcome addition and enhanced our league, immensely.  For 2011, the WMJFL is proud to announce the addition of three new communities to the WMJFL family:

Unity Christian joins the league for 2011.  They are led by Craig Tibbe who also serves as the Unity Christian HS Varsity Head Football coach.  Having played in the Hudsonville area for several years, Unity joins the WMJFL bringing with them the desire and enthsiasm of playing multiple teams in the West Michigan area.  We are proud to have Unity Christian as part of the WMJFL.

Calvin Christian comes to the WMJFL with just one team at the 5th/6th grade level.  However, our hope is that by joining this league they will have a better opportunity for growth in the future.  Ladd Vander Laan is their director.  Calvin Christian brings optimism and a sense of pride to the WMJFL.  We are thrilled they chose the WMJFL as their best chance at success and growth

Finally, Wyoming Park joins the WMJFL for the 2011 season.  This program is led by Scott Berg and Aaron Crow.  This program, too, is looking at the WMJFL as their best opportunity to lead their program in the right direction.  Wyoming Park officials have a vast knowledge of the youth game and their renewed community spirit gives the WMJFL another reason to shine.  We are excited about the Wyoming Park program joining the WMJFL family.

Congratulations to Unity Christian, Calvin Christian, & Wyoming Park for being a new part of this great league.  We all wish you the best of luck during your first season with us!

More details will be sent to coaches as we get closer the start of the season, but once again all coaches will be asked to call in or e-mail their respective scores so as to maintain records and help prepare for the final two weeks of the season.  Holland Township's Amber Sabala will be updating all scores.  Please contact Amber Sabala at 616-395-0178 ext. 3 or e-mail her at ambers@hct.holland.mi.us when your game is completed.  If all coaches get into the habit of this we'll be able to keep scores updated in the best possible manner.  As always we thank all of our coaches for their time and commitment in helping make the WMJFL the best it can be.