Newtown will be ending its long affiliation with Pop Warner football this coming fall and will begin a new association with American Youth Football (AYF).

According to Mike McNamara, Newtown AYF president, “The decision to join AYF has been under consideration for quite a while and the timing was right to make the switch. The rules of player under AYF are a better match for our the needs and the benefits are many.”

Some of the new changes include –

  1. Players will compete with kids closer to their own age

 2. Roster sizes will allow more kids to participate

  3. Older/lighter players will be reduced

  4. High school players will not be allowed to compete against younger kids

  5. Weight restrictions will be increased (mostly at upper levels)

  6. Minimum number of plays will increase

  7. There will be competitive play at the local, regional and national level for football and cheerleading

  8. Newtown will have the opportunity to host the first AYF conference cheerleading competitions at Newtown High School on October 16.

  9. Student demonstrators will be approved to help out at age 14

10. There will be the opportunity to compete with towns that cheer only during the season (several towns have shifted to year-round programs).

American Youth Football, Inc., was established in 1996 and is an international youth football organization established to promote the “wholesome” development of youth through its association with adult leaders in the sport of American football.

Safety and competitive balance are the goals of AYF, which has been made a national youth partner of the National Football League.

“The board reviewed all the benefits that AYF had to offer and unanimously voted in favor of joining this conference,” said Mr McNamara. “The bottom line was to improve the quality of play for both our cheerleading and football programs.”

A meeting to discuss the change to AYF and the benefits the change affords will be held Tuesday, April 12, at 7 pm, in the cafeteria of the Reed Intermediate School. Further information on AYF is available at www.Americanyouthfootball.com.

“This is an evolving league,” said Mr McNamara, “and as changes occur we will post the information on the web site. This is an exciting time for our program and should benefit all of our children.”

NOTE: Football and cheerleading and Registration will be held Saturday, April 30, from 9 am to 12 noon, in the Newtown High School cafeteria. This will be on a first come, first served basis as the teams fill up fast.