Joins Commonwealth Youth Football League like several neighboring towns

Published in the March 9, 2016 edition

WAKEFIELD — Wakefield Pop Warner is now Wakefield Youth Football and Cheer.

After careful consideration, the Wakefield Pop Warner Board has decided to go in a new and exciting direction with its youth football and cheer program and has voted to join the Commonwealth Youth Football League.

Some of Wakefield’s neighboring towns, such as Melrose, Stoneham and Watertown, have already joined this league. This would put Wakefield’s program more in line with towns the high school team competes against. Teams would be formed by grade level which will allow players to remain with their classmates and friends as they progress into high school creating a stronger unity throughout their years in the program.

There are some difference between the two programs.

The team guidelines are based on grade levels and not weight. This has been an issue for some of the WPW football players in past years.

Players start in first grade, with first and second grade getting their introduction through flag football instead of tackle.

Tackle football will run from third-eighth grade with the following structure: third-fourth grade team – introduction to tackle football instructional level. Fifth-sixth and seventh-eighth grade teams – tackle football with more structure to prepare players for high school play.

The two programs are the same in several ways and that will not change.

Games will still be on Sundays. Mandatory play rules are still in effect. Cheer teams will be at games on Sundays and have opportunities for competition. Practices will be held at Beasley Field for football and Blatz Field or high school for cheering. The uniforms (and equipment) for both football and cheer do not need to change

The two dates for registration for Wakefield Youth Football are on Monday, March 28 and Monday, April 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the Americal Civic Center. The registration fee for flag football is $130, tackle and cheer is $230 and the family cap is $360. The registration fee includes $75 in mandatory raffle tickets that can be sold by family. All money from these are kept by family and ticket stubs are turned in and are drawn at all home games.

Need more information? Check out the new website at www.wakefieldyouthfootball.com. Contact WYF at wakefieldyouthfootball@gmail.com.