What are the league ages and weights limitations for the divisions?

Division allocation is determined by the "league age" of a child.  A child's "league age" is determined by whatever the child's age was on July 31st, 2008.

• Peewee            7 - 8 year olds (100 lbs or less)

• Supers             9 – 10 year olds (120 lbs or less)

• Midgets            11 – 12 year olds (140 lbs or less)

• Varsity             13 - 14 year olds (180lbs or less)

What are the costs to register my child?

The cost of the program for the season is $130. 

What do I need to bring to Registration and what will I fill out at Registration?

• Copy of your child's Birth Certificate
• $130 Registration Fee

• FWYFL Application Form  - click here to print copy of form (not needed if completed on line)
• Medical Waiver Insurance Form - click here to print copy of form
• Hillsborough County Release Form - click here to print copy of form

Where can I register my child?

To find the next registration date and to register your child on line you can go here

Please note: If you register your child on line you will still need to attend the registration date to finalize the additional paperwork.

When is the FIRST Practice?

While coaches of teams may practice as much as they like in advance the first formal practice of the season is MARCH 1ST, 2009.  Practices prior to this date are not covered under the liability insurance for the FWYFL League.

What are the Equipment Requirements?

The FWYFL maintains a low level of fees for players to participate in the league and therefore the only equipment provided by the league is a game jersey for every player.  This jersey will be a basic colored jersey with a number (determined by the coaches of each team) issued shortly before the first game of the season.  Players are required to provide the remainder of their equipment needs.  The required equipment is as follows:

• Helmet
• Chin Strap
• Shoulder Pads
• Practice jersey
• Practice Pants
• Pant Pads (Hip, Thigh, Knee, Butt),
• Belt
• Socks
• Cleats

Note #1:  It is strongly suggested you talk to your coach BEFORE buying equipment as some coaches may have equipment available for use.

Note # 2: The FWYFL can provide direction for equipment purchases, where certain discounts may apply for FWYFL registered players.  However the FWYFL does not endorse any particular equipment vendor in this process.

Is this a Recreational or Competitive Program?

While this program is an 8 on 8 tackle football league, the games are full contact competitive football.  There are some rules differences from regular 11 on 11 football, but in general the games are the same as regular season football competitions.  To review the rules Click Here.

How long is the Season and when does it start?

The length of the season depends on the amount of teams that participate in each division.  However in general there are approximately 6-8 teams in each division and therefore the season typically lasts from March 29th, 2009 until May 17th, 2009.  There will be one week with playoff games and one week of a Super Bowl Championship for each division.

When and Where are the Games played?

Regular Season and Post Season games are all played at the Alexander Park facility in Tampa, FL behind Pierce Middle School off Hillsborough Avenue on Lois Ave.  Click Here for a map to the facility.  All games are played on Saturday mornings starting with the Peewee divisions and ending with the Varsity divisions.

How many players are there on each squad?

A team may have no more than 16 players on their roster and no less than 8 players (at the beginning of the season).  The FWYFL does register players independently and will provide teams with these additional players if requested.  These registered players will be allocated to teams based on their geographical residence.  If you are a coach that only has a certain number of players and would like additional players added to your team please inform the Registrar of this request.

In keeping with the overall purpose of the FWYFL toward advancing the sport of football within the counties, coaches of all teams, with spaces, are encouraged to allow additional players who registered independently with the FWYFL, onto their teams, based on geographic address. All coaches with the FWYFL are dedicated youth football coaches and have the necessary experience to provide top level football skills to all players.

When and Where are the practices?

Practice times are determined by the coaches of each squad.  There are NO limitations to the number of practices allowed.  However typically squads will practice 1 - 2 times per week from 6.30pm - 8.30pm, and begin practice approximately 4 - 6 weeks prior to the start of the season. 

What are the rules that are different for this league?

The rules for this league are essentially the same as regular football, in terms of the basic game and penalties etc.  For a full set of rules please Click Here. However the following differences apply:

• 8 on 8 players in the game
• 5 offensive lineman only (2 eligible)
• Minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 defensive lineman
• There are two 20 minute halves with a continuous clock
• Only 2 referees in the game
• There are no field goals
• The field size is 80 yards by 40 yards

If I register my child independently with the FWYFL how will he know which team he will play on?

In the early stages of registration, teams (and players) will begin to register, and the FWYFL registrar will begin to allocate players to teams in the various divisions.  Once your child is allocated to a given team, the coach of that team will call your child and provide the necessary details for practices etc.

In keeping with the overall purpose of the FWYFL toward advancing the sport of football within the counties, coaches of all teams, with spaces, are encouraged to allow additional players who registered independently with the FWYFL, onto their teams, based on geographic address. All coaches with the FWYFL are dedicated youth football coaches and have the necessary experience to provide top level football skills to all players.

What are the rules regarding naming of the teams?

The FWYFL allows each of the coaches of each of the teams to determine their own team names.  However we discourage the use of NFL team names without regional or geographic additions. (i.e. "Patriots" would not be acceptable but "Tampa Patriots" is fine) The FWYFL will assign a number to each team for the purposes of game schedules.

How can I be sure there will there be a team in my area?

Typically there are teams in most areas of the Tampa market.  The best approach would be to sign up on line HERE, in order to reserve your spot.  This process will not require any money down, but just get us a record of your information, and then when you come to one of the registration meetings we will let you know the teams that are in your area.  In the FWYFL, we have folks that sign up individuals, groups of players and entire teams, and therefore we quickly develop groups and teams from certain areas that we can assign your child to.  Once your child is assigned the coach from that area will contact you.

What about Cheerleaders?

Individual teams may have cheerleading squads if they wish.  They are responsible for the equipment and registration of these cheerleaders.  Cheerleaders ages are restricted to 6 - 14 years of age, based on the same league age date stipulated by the FWYFL.

• There will be no player additions to a teams roster after midnight of the 2nd game of the season.  An addition is determined by full payment of the registration fees to the FWYFL registrar.
• No additional teams can be added up to and including midnight one week prior to the first game of the season.
• The final schedule will be provided to all coaches two weeks prior to the first regular season game.
• Scrimmages prior to the first season game are allowed.