Brownsville, Texas—After almost a decade’s absence of gridiron glory, young Brownsville footballers will play between the hashmarks.
The city, police and school district have teamed up to tackle what organizers feel is a lack of athletic opportunities for children in the city.
“I’ve been getting a lot of complaints from parents who have to drive to San Benito for their kids to play football,” City Commissioner Charlie Atkinson said.
The City of Brownsville Youth Football League (COB-YFL), a boys and girls league, kicks off its nine-week season in mid-September with games every Monday night.
Using Paredes Line Road as a divider between the city’s east- and west-side conferences, 10 initial teams will be formed. The winners of each respective conference will play for the city’s first championship title at Sams Stadium.
The first 300 children ages 11 and 12 that are not yet enrolled in the seventh grade can register with proof of residency (utility bill or birth certificate), Atkinson said.
Ten-year-olds weighing more than 100 pounds are also eligible, he added.
“We anticipate a lot of children coming out for this,” said Robert Tyler, a Brownsville Police investigator and league organizer.
“We’re going all out with this,” Atkinson said. “The coaches will wear wireless headsets (donated by Motorola) and statistics of every team will be kept (and posted online).”
Registration is $65 per child, which covers insurance, equipment and a team uniform.
“Everything but a jock (strap) and tennis shoes,“ said City Commissioner Carlos Cisneros.
Cisneros and Tyler, who coached for the original Boys & Girls Club youth football league that ended in 1999, want to make sure this one stays in tact.
“The success of this program depends on donations,” Tyler said.
Tyler and Cisneros both blame the old league’s dispersion on insufficient funds and disorganization.
“First we need coaches,“ said Tyler. “Then, they will draw for teams.”
Coaches will then swap teams through draws every two years.
The 10 teams are the Bears, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Falcons, Jaguars, Patriots, Raiders, Ravens, Seahawks, and Steelers.
“We want it to be about football, teaching kids the fundamentals,” said Cisneros. “Not about the coaches. Too often, people go by who is coaching.”
The coaches will also have a draft for players. The child can only choose what side of town to represent.
“In the old system, people would know who was going to win at the start of the season,” Tyler said. “We don’t want that to happen.”
All of the organizers stressed “passing,” both academically and on the field, although the state’s “no pass, no play” rule will not be enforced.
“We’re relying on parents for this,” Cisneros said.
City Manager Charlie Cabler, who Atkinson recognized as the “key” for this project, said the Boys & Girls Club league may have fizzled because it lacked support.
Cabler said that will not be an issue this time. “We’re all working together to make sure this happens.”
Organizers said all team members would get play time. “As a parent, you’ll know you’re going to see your child play,” Tyler said.
The league is only the first of many new programs by the new city department for youth recreation, said Tony Saavedra, head of the department.
“We’re working on starting fast-pitch baseball and volleyball soon,” Saavedra said.
For more information contact Robert Tyler at 956-466-2330 or Tony Saavedra at 956-455-2351. You can also visit the Web site at www.hometeamonline.com keyword Brownsville. All coaching candidates will be subject to a background check.
If your child is interested in playing, registration will be held at the Brownsville Youth Recreation Center.
The Brownsville Herald
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