PAL offers Junior Development Football

The St. Johns County Police Athletic League is offering Junior Development Football for the fall 2008 football season.

PAL will be hosting a meeting 7 PM on May 1st at Murray Middle School Auditorium and it is open to anyone who may have a child interested in participating.

Just so you know, this is a BIG change for PAL since they are going completely away from the Pop Warner program they did for many years. While we are still putting all the pieces together, this program has been very successful in Ponte Vedra at Davis
Park.

The gentleman who started this program still runs it for the Ponte Vedra Athletic Association, his name is Jerry Norton. You can visit his website at www.coachjerry.com where you find some very good information. Under the Stories link there is an article that explains all about the program, titled: A Unique “Player-Friendly” Youth Football Program the best part is that Jerry is very committed to PAL and helping us form a successful JR Development League for the children.

We will be totally supported by the great program he has established up in the Northeast part of the county, and we are very grateful. This program is offered for children ages 7– 14.

• Each division will only practice twice a week
• All practices and games will be held at the same location, currently PAL has a proposal to upgrade and use the field at Murray Middle School
• This league is full contact, tackle football with a focus on learning the fundamentals rather than winning or losing
• Games last one (1) hour with the kids playing offense and defense for their team that week, limiting standing around time
• Games are live and the score is kept, however after the game is over there is no record of win/loss only a newsletter recapping the highlights of the game
• Safety is our main priority as all coaches and volunteers will be screened
• $100 registration fee for 1st child, $80 for 2nd child, $60 for 3rd
• $50 registration fee for a child receiving reduced lunch, $20 fee for a child receiving free lunch (must have receipt proof to receive discount)

If you have any questions please contact PAL Dep. Mike Williams 829-9438 or Sgt. Rob Gober III 669-3891 or visit their website.