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 League Information: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q.)Why does registration cost so much?
A.)The expenses for equipment alone are as follows:
Game Jersey $65
Game Pants $45
Practice Pants $30
Helmet $95
Pads(shoulder, hip,thigh, knee pads) $100
Total cost $285, 2004 registration fee $175
The above costs do not include the following:
Field use, game officials, insurance, para-medic, etc...,These fees are partially offset by sponsors, the Snack bar and various fund raisers. No board members or coaches are paid; they are all volunteers. The registration covers approximately half of the costs of fielding a player.
Our fees are lower than various youth organizations in the bay area so that we may continue to serve the youth of Hayward.
Q.I am unable to afford the $175 fee, how can my child participate?
A.We understand that football and cheer are expensive sport(s) and we believe no child should be turned away because of financial difficulty. We offer several options to parents with financial difficulties. Please speak with a league official regarding financial assistance. We do our best to accomadate those with financial difficulties.
Q.Why is a Original Birth Certificate Required?
A. The San Jose PAL League matches players on teams of similar ages and weights for safety reasons. Because photo copies of birth certificates can be altered, all participants must submit an original or certified copy.
Q.When are Birth Certificates returned?
A. Birth Certificates are available for pick up the first week in September(pending PAL Certification). If the birth certificate is not picked up, it will be discarded at the end of the season. Please remember it is your responsibility to retrieve your childs birth certificate.
Q: What kind of cleats should we buy for our player?
A: HYFCL has a representative from a sports shoe retailer on site at our "Equipment Issue Day". This retailer will sell both Football and Cheer footwear at wholesale prices. However, Soccer or baseball cleats, if the nubs are not worn down, will probably work OK. Football cleats tend to be wider and to have more edge nubs. The league strongly recommends that regular "sneakers" or other similar shoe
without cleats NOT be worn either at practice or in the games -- too much slipping and sliding.
Q: What equipment will I need to purchase for my child?
A: All equipment furnished includes: Football- Game and practice Jersey, Game and practice Pants, Helmet, Shoulder Pads, and seven piece pad set. Cheer: Skirt, top and pom poms. Please remember the equipment is the property of the HYFCL and must be returned at the end of the season. It does not include socks,shoes,and ancillary items.
Q. Does my child have to tryout to make the team?
A. San Jose PAL/HYFCL prohibits tryouts of any kind for football or cheer. The first players to register for the team (until the team is full) make the squad. We take players on a first come, first serve basis. We are only allowed to carry 35 - 40 football players, and 10 - 20 cheerleaders per squad.
Q. If there are no tryouts what about the players safety?
A. San Jose PAL has safety rules, one of which is an age-weight schematic. This system insures maximum safety, since players will be evenly matched in size and physical maturity when playing football. The goal of the age-weight schematic is to control the overall range of weights, from minimum to maximum, and the age of the children on the field at a given division of play. The age-weight schematic is based on growth charts developed by the American Medical Association to include the largest number of kids at a given age. Unfortunately, some children are too small or too large to play.
For cheerleading, the age-weight schematic does not apply, just age applies.
Q.Is Football Safe?
A. While injury is a possibility, excellent equipment, required conditioning, and weight-age similarity tend to minimize injury. Statistically, youth football has
fewer injuries than soccer..
Q.What is the practice schedule?
A. Practices are held Mon. Fri. 5:30 7:30 p.m. at Tennyson High School in Hayward during the summer. After Labor Day, the practice schedule changes to Tues., Thurs.,and Friday location and time remains the same. Practice location may change to Bret Harte Park after Daylight Savings time.
Q.What happens during preseason?
A. The first week of practice is conditioning only. Each player must receive 10 hours of conditioning. Your child will participate with helmets, t-shirt(practice jersey), and shorts only. There will be no contact during this week. Practices genearly start with exercises/calisthenics and running for the first hour, the second hour of practice will consist of football drills and concentration techniques. Depending on the coach, practice may vary. Preseason is a lot of hard work so encourage your child to 'tough it out', the reward for all their hard work will be playing in their weekly games. Once your child complete their 10 hours of conditioning the fun begins. Your child will be wearing full football gear to practice and will be learning and practicing football techniques: blocking, tackling, passing and running. They will also be learning many football formations and plays. At times, the Athletic Director may schedule some preseason scrimmage games. You will be notified of preseason games as soon as they have been arranged. Please be aware that during scrimmage games, practices tend to run late in order to give each child ample playing time.
Q.Do I have to live in Hayward to participate?
A. No. We serve the Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, Oakland communities. Also, there are several "open" territories in the area. If you are unsure, please contact us for the exact territory boundries.
Q. Is it ok for my child to attend vacations during July and August?
A. We are aware that summer is vacation time for many families. All we ask is that you advise your child's coach as to when you will be on vacation. There will be time for your child to get up to speed on his/her return.
Q What if my child has health problems/allergies?
A. If your child has any health problems or concerns such as asthma, allergies to bee stings, etc., please make sure that he/she has their medication available to them during practices (clearly marked with their names) and that the Athletic Director and coaches are aware of your child's health concerns
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SOLVING PROBLEMS/DISPUTES
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Q. What can I do if I have a problem with a team member (child) or parent?
A. Talk to the Coach and/or Team Manager privately and politely. Sometimes, he/she can help ease a problem. Too often, parents become emotionally wrapped up in a given situation and verbally attack anyone present. So please remember that the coaches and administrators are volunteers trying to do their best for the children involved.
Q. What can I do if I have a problem with a Coach?
A. Talk to the Coach and/or Team Manager privately and politely. If you are unsatisfied with the Coach's response, you may talk to the Athletic Director or President. Please do not come to Board members/Assistant coaches with issues regarding coaches unless you have already spoken with the coaches first. In most cases either the coach has information that the parent is unaware of, or the coach is unaware of the situation - in either case discussing the situation directly with the coach will usually resolve it.
Q. What can I do if I have a problem with a Assistant Coach/Team Manager?
A. Talk with your coach, if he can't resovle your issues then contact the Athletic Director or President.
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