League Bylaws
Feel free to take a look at the bylaws here! They outline important guidelines and policies to help everyone stay informed.
MEETING MINUTES
You can read the meeting minutes here! They provide a summary of discussions, decisions, and key updates from our latest meeting.
Meeting Minutes May 2024
Meeting Minutes January 2025
Meeting Minutes Annual Meeting January 2025
Meeting Minutes February 2025
PROXY VOTE FORM
You can access the proxy vote form here! This allows you to appoint someone to vote on your behalf if you’re unable to attend the meeting.
FAQ
What is Norton Youth Football & Cheer?
Norton Youth Football and Cheer is a youth football and cheer organization established to promote the wholesome development of youth participants through their association with instructors, coaches, supervisors, and managers (“adult leaders”) in the sport of football and cheer. Rules and regulations are established to ensure the youth participants play in an atmosphere of safety with a competitive balance between teams. The emphasis will be on learning, playing, and enjoying the sport while instilling high moral standards by stressing the importance of academic achievement and community involvement. The mission of NYFC is to give back to the community by helping children become leaders and teammates. NYFC adult leaders will cultivate confidence and a sense of self-worth in the youth participants that will extend beyond the field and into the school, family and community. Sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, responsibility and self-discipline are among the traits needed by youngsters to face the future with positive aspirations and confidence. If we teach them positive lessons, such as playing by the rules, our young athletes will learn to live by the rules. The adult leaders shall bear in mind that the molding of future men and women is of prime importance and the attainment of exceptional athletic skill, or the winning of games, is secondary.
Are you the Black Knights or are you the Pop Warner Lancers?
Norton Youth Football and Cheer is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by both of those organizations. As of March 1st, 2019 The Norton Black Knights and the Norton Pop Warner Lancers have merged into a single organization, now known as Norton Youth Football and Cheer, proudly bringing unified football and cheerleading back to Norton.
What is American Youth Football (AYF)? 
American Youth Football (AYF) / American Youth Cheerleading (AYC), established in 1996, is an international youth football and cheerleading organization established to promote the wholesome development of youth through their association with adult leaders in the sport of American football. Rules and regulations are established to ensure that players play in an atmosphere of safety with a competitive balance between teams. AYF is one of the largest membership organizations dedicated to teaching youth through positive role models. Emphasis is on learning, playing, and enjoying the sport while instilling high moral standards by stressing the importance of academic achievement and community involvement. Helping kids become leaders and teammates, AYF players will learn to both foster confidence and a sense of self-worth that extends beyond the gridiron and into the school, family and community. Sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, responsibility and self-discipline are among the traits needed by youngsters to face the future with positive aspirations and confidence. If we teach them positive lessons, such as playing by the rules, our young athletes will learn to live by the rules.
What league does Norton Youth Football & Cheer belong to?
Norton Youth Football and Cheer is a proud member of Eastern Massachusetts Youth Football and Cheer (EMAYFC) which was established as an American Youth Football division starting in 2019. EMAYFC expanded from the Dual County Tri-Valley (DCTV) division. As a member of EMAYFC Norton Youth Football will have the opportunity to compete against the same teams the Norton High School faces each year. These teams include King Philip, Foxboro, Attleboro, Stoughton, Franklin, Canton, Milford, Mansfield, Concord Carlisle, Holliston, Waltham, Medway, Wayland Weston, Dedham, Hopkinton Ashland, Easton, North Attleboro, Sudbury, and Bellingham.
Is Norton Youth Football & Cheer part of Norton School System?
No, Norton Youth Football and Cheer is a privately operated, non-profit, all volunteer program. The Board of Trustees are elected each January, and includes parents and others who are dedicated to the core mission of this organization for the benefit of the youth of the Norton.
Does Norton Youth Football & Cheer hold tryouts?
No. There are no tryouts for football or cheerleading and there are mandatory play requirements, meaning every child is guaranteed to play. All interested participants may register for an age and grade appropriate squad.
HOW SAFE IS YOUTH FOOTBALL?
Statistically, youth Football is safer than organized soccer, with 12% fewer injuries per capita among 5-15 year-olds. American Youth Football uses a grade/age schematic. This means that your child will be playing against children that are around their same age and grade level. The Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma in New York completed a youth football injury survey in 71 towns covering over 5,000 players in 1998. The injury experience of 5,128 boys (8 to 15 years of age, weight 50-150 lbs.) shows an injury rate of roughly 1.33 injuries per team per year with no catastrophic injuries taking place.
WHAT ABOUT CONCUSSIONS?
Concussions are an important topic at all levels of football recently. Many studies conducted have found that concussions occur more frequently in practice than in games, this is most likely attributed to poor coaching and the selection of drills. To address the deficiency of coaches, all coaches are now required to complete multiple certification courses which emphasize safety and concussion awareness. The Norton Youth Football and Cheer program has enrolled in USA Football’s “Heads Up Football” program in order to guarantee the highest degree of safety for all participants. To learn more, please go to http://www.usafootball.com/headsup
WHAT WILL MY CHILD NEED FOR FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE?
All participants will need to have a completed physical turned in prior to the first day of practice. An AYF physical form will be provided in the registration information packet, however, a physician may utilize any form he/she desires. Equipment Handout will be conducted prior to the first day of practice. Football participants will come to the equipment shed to check-in and receive their equipment during that time. A period of conditioning is required for all football participants prior to any practices in pads. During this condition period all players will wear helmets, athletic shortsa, t-shirts and football cleats. All football players mus always have a mouth guard. Participants should bring water to all practices. Please do not bring juice or sports beverages as these often left as litter after practice. Please note, that NO jewelry is to be worn. This includes bracelets, earrings, necklaces and watches.
HOW ARE COACHES SELECTED?
Coaches for all football and cheer levels are volunteers with coaching experience who are able to commit to implementing Norton Youth Football and Cheer’s commitment to attributes such as character, academics and leadership with the team they are coaching. Many of our coaches have played at all levels of the sport including on college and military teams. Our coaches attend annual training sessions which include youth football and cheer coaching techniques. Tackle football coaches are certified through USA Football in partnership with the NFL and the CDC to learn “heads up tackling” to ensure that all players are using correct and safe form. Coaches are nationally accredited through the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE). NYFC coaches are selected each year, by the board of directors, based on their previous experience and coaching performance. Each coach must submit an annual criminal records background application as well as pass multiple certification exams.
HOW MUCH IS THE COST TO PARTICIPATE?
The registration rates are determined annually by the Board of Directors.
DO I NEED TO BUY A UNIFORM? WHAT OTHER EQUIPMENT MUST BE PURCHASED?
For football players, a jersey, helmet with mouth guard and shoulder pads are provided by NYFC. Additional costs for football gear/clothing will be incurred. The additional required items include: cleats, padded pants, game socks, athletic supporters, protective cup and additional mouth guards. Cheerleaders’ uniforms are provided with the cost of registration but you will also need to purchase additional items designated by the Cheer Director. Equipment Packages for Football Players and Cheerleader Packages for Cheerleaders will be available to purchase at our registration nights, informational sessions and fitting sessions.
WHAT FOOTBALL TEAM WILL MY CHILD BE ON?
In accordance with American Youth Football rules and regulations, team placement will be based on grade and age.
American Youth Football follows this structure to assure:
- Children who go to school together and play together both in school and out of school play competitive football together
- Children stay together as they advance through the grades – i.e. this year’s 5th grade team moves together to play as a 6th grade team next year
- Children at the same physical and developmental maturity level play together on the same team.
HOW ARE CHEERLEADERS ASSIGNED TO TEAMS?
Cheerleaders are assigned based on age, experience and team structure considerations, such as the number of girls in a particular age group (if one team is over capacity and the next level up is undersized, some of the older girls might be moved up to balance the squads), family considerations (keeping siblings at the same level to simplify travel arrangements) and other factors.
WHAT IS THE EXPECTED TIME FOR THE SEASON?
The first practice will be in late July. The first week of games will take place in September, all games are played on Sundays. Playoffs are played in the beginning of November
WHAT IS THE PRACTICE SCHEDULE?
Practices will begin in late July. The first week of practice for football is strictly for conditioning. Once the required conditioning hours are complete a player may begin practicing in pads. The formal practice schedule for each year will be announced before the start of the season and is determined by each teams coaching staff, commonly practices are expected to run from 5:30-7:30 pm for tackle football and cheer squads and 5:30-6:30 pm for flag football and flag cheer squads.
IS THERE AN ATTENDANCE POLICY?
Yes, attendance at practice and games is mandatory. Please refer to our Standard Operating Procedure for Attendance BELOW for more information on excused and unexcused absences.
DOES THE ORGANIZATION HAVE ANY RULES OR GUIDELINES THAT PARTICIPANTS AND PARENTS MUST ADHERE TO?
Yes, Norton Youth Football and Cheer has a parent and player standard of conduct which should be reviewed prior to the start of the season. The STANDARD CODE OF CONDUCT can be downloaded BELOW under STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
HOW DO I STAY UPDATED ON INFORMATION?
Norton Youth Football and Cheer will provide e-mails and regular posts during the off-season and more frequently starting in late July. Updates and information will always be posted on the Norton Youth Football and Cheer website, as well as on our Norton Youth Football and Cheer Facebook and Twitter pages. In addition any important updates will be sent out via email by the NYFC Secretary or President. Individual team information will be sent by the head coach of that team via email and mobile applications.
WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you have any additional questions you may contact any member of the Norton Youth Football and Cheer Board of Directorsor send us an email at NortonYouthfbandCheer@gmail.com
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES - ADDENDUMS
COACHES & ADMINISTRATORS PLEDGE
eQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT COSTS
Ensure your athlete is fully equipped with the necessary gear. Below are the current replacement costs:
- Football Helmet – $550
- Shoulder Pads – $90
- Chin Strap – $20
- Cheer Uniform – $250
For additional details or to place an order, please contact us.