3rd Grade Tackle Football!
We are excited to tell you about the New Canaan Youth Football Family, and its long and rich history and traditions! While NC Youth and HS football are some of the best football programs in the state of Connecticut, including numerous college football players, two current NFL players and a 2X Super Bowl Champion, the true benefits of NCYF, are the great values of hard work, commitment, and determination, along with the friendships and experiences football develops for our young men and families - winning is a byproduct of all we teach! In third grade, it’s about learning, making friends and having fun, so that you come back to a lifetime of enjoyment of the sport.
For decades, tackle football has started in 3rd grade, but starting in 2017, some towns opted to modify the sport or start in later grades. Despite that, New Canaan has successfully continued to run a very strong 3rd grade program; because, while it’s never too early to instill strong values and develop friendships, safety is always first, and teaching safety and proper technique early is critical. For the past seven years, New Canaan is the ONLY town to produce a tackle football program and the records it has generated for our program and town are impressive. We plan to continue that rich tradition this year in third grade.
So, while we plan to teach the game of football, our real critical to success factors are ensuring the boys are safe, learn basic techniques, make new friends and have fun to keep them interested in the sport.
As such, our core tenants are:
- Safety: Always FIRST, keeping the head out of football by learning safe blocking and tackling techniques.
- Hard Work: We always outwork the other team, we never quit.
- Accountability: The dedication, dependability, and responsibility to meet challenges, do what is right, adhere to high standards, and lead by example.
- Commitment: Spirit of determination, hard work, discipline, and resilience that defines us and our Team.
- Team: Every player is important, has potential and has a role, but the team is first.
- Make friends and have fun! Especially in 3rd and 4th Grades!
For those who played, or with older sons in the program, you already know that football is different than any other sport. It’s the only sport where every one of the 22 players on the field have a different job. It is the ultimate team building sport and will help our young men develop critical skills to be successful in all aspects of life. For those new to the sport, we are confident you will come to appreciate these sentiments just as we do.
We invite you to attend our informational session on Tuesday, April 2nd at 6:00 PM hosted by New Canaan High School Head Coach, Lou Marinelli, NCHS Coaching Staff, Varsity Players and the NCYF Board. More information to follow.
Thank you and we look forward to including you in our Football Family!