THE PATRIOT GRANDSTAND CLUB
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President: Sharlene Myers
E-mail: smyers@gngfootball.org
Lisa Latno
Jon Harmer
Barney Stilphen
Robert Hubbard
Coaches:
High School Varisty: TBA
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Who We Are
Gray - New Gloucester Patriots Football is sponsored by The Patriot Grandstand Club, a Maine nonprofit corporation organized in April 2003 to bring youth football to Gray – New Gloucester High School and Middle School. The Club’s goal is to enable our young athletes to enjoy the game of football, while promoting good sportsmanship, teamwork, physical fitness, strong academic achievement, and self-confidence.
The initial cost of starting our football program was over $50,000, which included the purchase of uniforms, protective pads and gear, practice equipment, goal posts, field lining equipment, yard markers, etc. The ongoing costs of running the program are close to $35,000 a year now. The Club raises these funds through player registration fees, game admission fees, sale of team merchandise and fundraising events held throughout the year.
Affiliation and Eligibility Requirements GNG Patriot Football is affiliated with Gray-New Gloucester Athletics, which is the athletic program of Maine School Administrative District #15. Because of this affiliation, the Club and all our football players on the High School and Middle School teams are subject to and must abide by the District’s athletic code, training rules and eligibility requirements.
Registration Fees
The Patriot Grandstand Club is a self-supporting, nonprofit organization. The cost of running our football program is considerable, and we must therefore assess an annual registration fee for all players. We strive, through significant fundraising activities throughout the year, to keep this registration fee affordable for all students wanting to play football. In 2007, our registration fee for middle school players is still $135; it is $150 for High School players. At the Youth League level, the registration fee is $100.
Membership Privileges
The Patriot Grandstand Club is a membership organization. The responsible parent or guardian of each player is a member of the Club. The Club is managed by a Board of Directors who are elected by the entire membership each year at our annual meeting. Notice regarding the date and time of our annual meeting is announced in all local newspapers and by email to the parents of current players.
We welcome all input from both parents and players regarding the operations of our football programs. We invite you to attend our monthly board meetings, volunteer to serve on our committees, and help out at our games and fundraisers. The support of our parents and the community at large is vital in keeping our programs running into the future. |
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OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAMS
The High School Program
Team enrollment is open to all high school students who meet SAD #15’s eligibility requirements. Currently, the team can suit 55 players. Students may be required to try-out for the team if the number of interested students exceeds the available positions.
Game Schedules
As per rules established by the Maine Principals’ Association, our high school team must play a junior varsity schedule for its first two years of existence, namely 2003 and 2004. Beginning in the fall of 2005, the high school team will join the Western Maine, Class B Campbell Conference and will play both varsity and junior varsity games each week. Varsity games are normally scheduled on Friday nights or Saturday afternoons. Junior varsity games are normally scheduled on Monday afternoons.
Practice Schedules
Football practice for the fall season begins the third week of August on the date established by the Maine Principals’ Association. The first weeks of practice are known as 2-a-days. During these double-session weeks, players are required to attend two practices a day, normally 7:30 to 10:00 am, and 2:30 to 5:00 pm. After the first week, practices are scheduled for afternoon sessions only each weekday. Times may vary, so check with your coach.
Practices are mandatory. Unexcused absences from practice or any other team obligation can lead to a player being benched, suspended, or even dismissed from the team. In order to practice and play with the team, players must meet the academic requirements of the SAD #15 athletic department.
Summer Practice Program
The GNG football coaches run a non-mandatory summer program for any interested high school, middle school and youth league players. This program is designed to teach and enhance basic football techniques while stressing the importance of overall physical fitness and weight training.
Physical Requirements
Football is a full-contact sport, and proper physical preparation is necessary to protect players from injury. Practice will include, but is not limited to, basic physical fitness exercises, such as push-ups, sit-ups, and running; stretching; weight training; agility drills; and specific football instruction, such as passing, tackling, and blocking drills.
The Middle School Program
Team enrollment is open to all 7th and 8th grade students who meet SAD #15’s eligibility requirements. Currently, the team can suit approximately 40 players. Students may be required to try-out for the team if the number of interested students exceeds the available positions.
Game Schedules
Middle School games are normally scheduled on Thursday afternoons. Occasionally, the MS Team has a Thursday night game under the lights on the HS Varsity field.
Practice Schedules
Football practice for the fall season normally begins the week that school opens. Practices are normally held from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Practices are mandatory. Unexcused absences from practice or any other team obligation can lead to a player being benched, suspended, or even dismissed from the team.
In order to practice and play with the team, players must meet the academic requirements of the SAD #15 athletic department.
Summer Practice Program
Middle School players are welcome to participate in the summer practice program run by the GNG high school coaches, as described above. | |||||||||||||||
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