A great Southaven tradition will get even better in 2015!

Our Parks officials and current coaches met in late 2014 to address ways to improve our youth football leagues.  There is no doubt that some things have changed with family schedules and other youth activities since this league was created in the early '70s.  

This year the format of our leagues will be changed from three-age leagues to two as follows, thus eliminating the need for "B" games:

Flag Football...5/6 year-olds...If you played as a 5 year-old in 2014, you will be on the same team.  Games will be played on Monday or Tuesday nights.

Pee Wee Football...7/8 year-olds...If you played as a 7 year-old in 2014, you will be on the same team. The maximum body weight to run the football will be 85 lbs.  Games will be played on Monday or Tuesday nights.

Little League Football...9/10 year-olds...If you played as a 8 or 9 year-old in 2014, you will be on the same team.  The maximum body weight to run the football will be 105 lbs.  Games will be played on Tuesday nights.

Junior League Football...11/12 year-olds...If you played as a 10 or 11 year-old in 2014, you will be on the same team.  The maximum body weight to run the football will be 125 lbs.  Games will be played on Thursday nights.

This new format should accommodate fall baseball and other sports schedules as well as allow more time on Saturdays for family activities.
 
Please check online @ www.southaven.com for additional information and contact Jayson Beal or Deljuan Robinson @ 662.890.7275 with any questions.

Finally, a little Q & A with your Mayor...

Why should I allow my son to play football?
Football is a great game and although it is unlikely that your son will play in the NFL one day (but you never know!), let me tell you what is likely...

• Your son will have fun learning to be a good teammate in one of the best team sports or activities ever created.
• Your son will learn the value of commitment, self-discipline, work ethic, mental and physical toughness, and the satisfaction of giving all you have and knowing that you helped your team, which will prepare them for their future in any career.
• There is that possibility that football may open a door to provide funding for a college education and prepare your son academically for better opportunities.

Why should my son not specialize in one sport?
There are many factors that determine how long and to what level young players will play any given sport.  Regardless of your son's skill level at his current age, many things will change in the future.  Physical talent becomes more evident with age, work ethic is crucial, and competititon gets much tougher.  It has been proven many times that young athletes' skill sets change, as do opportunities, and it is difficult to predict which sport will best suit them in the end. I challenge you to look at the backgrounds of college and pro athletes and see how many were multi-sport athletes.  It is a fact that college and pro scouts are attracted to multi-sport athletes because they know that different sports complement each other and develop better complete athletes in every sport. This has not changed.  Playing one sport year-round may not be healthy for your son as well, specifically with year-round baseball and arm health.  Listen to the advice of orthopaedic surgeons and former professional players who have suffered arm injuries.  Please give your son a break from each sport and do not limit their opportunities by specializing too early.   

Please sign your son up today and experience one of Southaven's best traditions...Cherry Valley Football.