DANVERS YOUTH FOOTBALL, INC
March 18, 2015 Dear Parents, Danvers Youth Football recognizes that elementary and middle school students have many options when it comes to participation in sports and other activities. We also understand that many of you have safety concerns relative to your child’s involvement in youth football. However, we do feel very strongly that there are many compelling benefits to participating in our program. These include:
Excellent development of physical and mental fitness. Instills values of commitment, discipline, leadership, sportsmanship, and delayed gratification. Emphasizes the importance of teamwork. Development of lifelong friendships.
I would encourage you to read this article from USA Football (national governing body of football): http://usafootball.com/blogs/americas-game/post/7269/3-ways-your-child-will-benefit-from-playing-youth-football Danvers Youth Football has been continuously improving its focus and attention on player safety during the past few years. Significant among our recent endeavors in this area are: 1) All coaches are must be certified in the USA Football Heads Up program, which includes mandatory training in concussion recognition and awareness, safe tackling technique, equipment fitting, proper hydration, and more. 2) DYF has designated a Safety Officer, whose specific role is to educate and recommend safety measures to coaches, players, and parents. This role is being filled by Shawn Theriault, Danvers HS Head Football Coach. 3) DYF will adhere to the USA Football National Practice Guidelines for Youth Tackle Football, which sets parameters for heat acclimatization, levels of contact, and open field contact (no more than 25% of practice time). The majority of practices will consist of instruction on technique and assignment. 4) We continue to upgrade our helmet and shoulder pad inventory, retiring older equipment and purchasing newer and safer models. 5) Any player diagnosed with a concussion will not be allowed to return to the field for practices or games without a written note from a physician clearing him to play. Football seems to have gained a lot recent notoriety related to head injuries, but research shows that other activities carry greater risk for children under 14 years old. For example, a recent study by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons showed that bicycle accidents were the leading cause of head injuries for children under 14, more than double that of football. Skateboard and roller blade accidents were similarly higher. More locally, in 2012 Hamilton-Wenham Youth Football reported no concussions in tackle football but eight in the town’s flag football program, as the latter does not provide protective helmets. I would also urge you to read the following study by the Mayo Clinic, in which the findings showed there were no greater occurrences of long term brain disorders in football players compared to non-players in 1946-1956, a period of high contact and much less protective head gear: http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196%2812%2900264-9/fulltext Finally, we are excited about the future of our program, including a brand new turf field at Danvers HS and the expansion of the league to include arch rival Gloucester. We are asking you to consider giving your child an opportunity to play Danvers Youth Football. We think that the benefits described above, and the enjoyment and comradery of being part of a football team, far outweigh the associated risks. Sincerely, Tom Ladd, DYF President
Excellent development of physical and mental fitness. Instills values of commitment, discipline, leadership, sportsmanship, and delayed gratification. Emphasizes the importance of teamwork. Development of lifelong friendships.
I would encourage you to read this article from USA Football (national governing body of football): http://usafootball.com/blogs/americas-game/post/7269/3-ways-your-child-will-benefit-from-playing-youth-football Danvers Youth Football has been continuously improving its focus and attention on player safety during the past few years. Significant among our recent endeavors in this area are: 1) All coaches are must be certified in the USA Football Heads Up program, which includes mandatory training in concussion recognition and awareness, safe tackling technique, equipment fitting, proper hydration, and more. 2) DYF has designated a Safety Officer, whose specific role is to educate and recommend safety measures to coaches, players, and parents. This role is being filled by Shawn Theriault, Danvers HS Head Football Coach. 3) DYF will adhere to the USA Football National Practice Guidelines for Youth Tackle Football, which sets parameters for heat acclimatization, levels of contact, and open field contact (no more than 25% of practice time). The majority of practices will consist of instruction on technique and assignment. 4) We continue to upgrade our helmet and shoulder pad inventory, retiring older equipment and purchasing newer and safer models. 5) Any player diagnosed with a concussion will not be allowed to return to the field for practices or games without a written note from a physician clearing him to play. Football seems to have gained a lot recent notoriety related to head injuries, but research shows that other activities carry greater risk for children under 14 years old. For example, a recent study by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons showed that bicycle accidents were the leading cause of head injuries for children under 14, more than double that of football. Skateboard and roller blade accidents were similarly higher. More locally, in 2012 Hamilton-Wenham Youth Football reported no concussions in tackle football but eight in the town’s flag football program, as the latter does not provide protective helmets. I would also urge you to read the following study by the Mayo Clinic, in which the findings showed there were no greater occurrences of long term brain disorders in football players compared to non-players in 1946-1956, a period of high contact and much less protective head gear: http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196%2812%2900264-9/fulltext Finally, we are excited about the future of our program, including a brand new turf field at Danvers HS and the expansion of the league to include arch rival Gloucester. We are asking you to consider giving your child an opportunity to play Danvers Youth Football. We think that the benefits described above, and the enjoyment and comradery of being part of a football team, far outweigh the associated risks. Sincerely, Tom Ladd, DYF President
