Port Washington Youth Activities brings back tackle football program
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — For the first time in many years, Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA) has implemented a tackle football program for children in third through sixth grade. The program is open to students from Port Washington and Manhasset, and there are two teams, at the 10U and 12U levels.
No experience is necessary to join the Tackle Football League. Required equipment includes a helmet, shoulder pads, pants with knee and thigh pads, safety cup and cleats.
The program is intended in part to prepare students to play football at both Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School and Paul D. Schreiber High School. The season began in August and runs through November.
The youth teams will play games against other towns. Like professional games, most will take place on Sunday, with many starting on Sept. 11. The schedule comprises eight games, with an even split of home and away games. The home games are taking place at Lions Field at Schreiber. Practices take place on weekdays at Lions Field.
“Good things happen at the end of your comfort zone. PYA is thrilled that Youth Tackle Football is back in Port,” it announced on Facebook.
Kevin Cloghessy, head coach at Schreiber, himself played football at Montclair State University as a defensive back. He just began his sixth year as a varsity coach, including five years as the varsity head coach.
“Over the last five years, the football program has continued to improve and there is an excitement from the kids to play football,” Kevin said.
The improvement at the varsity level starts with encouraging more kids to enroll in football at the middle school level, as well as other coaches making connections within the high school.
“The program has seen an increase in the number of kids playing across the board. The middle school had around 25 to 30 kids in 2018 and grew to over 50 the following year,” Kevin revealed. “We then missed a year due to COVID, but when we came back, we saw another increase to about 70 kids. At the high school level, we have seen an increase in participation on the junior varsity team as well.”
The goal is to do everything the right way to make it the best experience for the kids every day, starting with youth. Kevin believes the youth tackle program will not only lead to more kids playing football at the middle school and high and high school levels, but also improve the ultimate results.
“If we can get kids in helmets and shoulder pads before seventh grade, it will only help continue to build the program,” Kevin noted. “The two biggest things to learn are blocking and tackling. If they can get that technique down, at a younger age, it really helps. A lot of the teams we are playing have youth leagues.”
Also important is for youth to learn teamwork, something that can provide many benefits when children get older.
“I played many sports growing up, including three in high school. Football is the ultimate team game,” Kevin stressed. “There is only one ball, and 10 other players have to do things well in order to be successful. There are a lot of great lessons to be learned, and that is what we enjoy most about coaching it.”
Nick Schratwieser, director of health, physical education and athletics at the Port Washington School District, added he is “beyond excited in the direction the Football program is going in Port. Coming off the 2021 season that saw our Varsity team reach the Nassau County Conference 1 playoffs, our junior varsity team earn one of the best records they have had in recent years, and our Middle School team have the highest enrollment they have ever had at over 70 players. This upcoming season we are excited to split our Middle School team to two teams, which will increase each student-athlete’s playing time. We have also added an extra assistant coach at the junior varsity level, with an expected increase in enrollment to the team.”
Addressing Parental Questions
Kevin mentioned he understands it is the parents’ decision to allow their child to play football.
“As a coach, I look to recruit kids that play multiple sports. I believe playing football benefits kids by allowing them to become more versatile athletes,” he said.
The game has changed, and equipment is now top tier, the coach added.
“The way you teach tackling is much different by removing the involvement of the head from the tackle. There is also less hitting of each other during the week. It is more about proper technique and how to tackle.”
Added PYA in a post announcing the program on Facebook, “Safety is our No. 1 priority. Of course — having fun and learning football. But safety is our No. 1 priority.”
“I along with the rest of the staff are looking forward to the PYA team coming back and we will support/help out a much as we can throughout the season,” Kevin stated. “Overall, PYA bringing back tackle football is a positive for the community and will benefit the overall Port Washington football program.”
“We could not be more excited to see Youth Tackle Football return to Port Washington,” Nick asserted. “After meeting several times with PYA, Coach Cloghessy and myself are confident that the future is bright for Football in Port!”
As an alternative, PYA continues to offer flag football as well, which does not involve any tackling. This co-ed sport is available for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
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